Your Used Cell Phone Could Possibly Save Someone’s Life
Verizon collects no-longer-used cell phones, batteries, and accessories and either refurbishes or recycles the phones. The refurbished cell phones along with three thousand (3,000) minutes of wireless service are provided to victims of domestic violence free of charge.
For many women violence and danger are their constant companions. Research indicates that one in four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime.[i] Indigent women are more vulnerable. As woman rebuild their lives, the refurbished cell phones serve as a link to supportive services in a time of crisis.
The pervasive problem of domestic violence takes everyone to make it stop. Consider donating your used cell phone— you could possibly save someone’s life. In honor of Earth Day 2013, you should consider donating your used cell telephone, battery, and/or charger. For information about Verizon’s cell phone donation process visit: http://aboutus.vzw.com/communityservice/hopeLine.html.
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Sources: [i] Tjaden, Patricia & Thoennes, Nancy, National Institute of Justice and the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, 1993, “Extent, Nature and Consequences of Intimate Partner Violence: Findings from the National Violence Against Women Survey,” (2000). Hopeline
Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art
Protection From Abuse
What barriers does an abused person face when attempting to end a violent relationship? As a long-time advocate for victims of domestic violence, Nichelle Mitchem recognizes that the complexity of the legal system and the absence of legal assistance cause some victims to stay in an abusive relationship. By understanding of the importance of the access to legal information, assistance, and often representation for battered women, Mitchem has sought to enhance the accessibility to legal services for victims of domestic violence for much of her career.
Whether serving as an administrator of legal service programs for battered women or as the executive director of a domestic violence agency, Nichelle has been asked to present on: the dynamics of domestic violence, available supportive services, and the legal aspects of domestic violence. “Like shelter and counseling, access to legal information and assistance serve to empower abused persons,” Mitchem says. When discussing domestic violence with various audiences, participants often pose the question, “Why doesn’t the victim just leave?” In response, Mitchem says, “Most victims want to leave and many try. Even under the best of circumstances, leaving a relationship is difficult. Violent relationships are complex; and victims in these relationships are faced with many barriers to leaving. These barriers include the lack of knowledge of: civil and criminal protections afforded to them under the law as well as available legal resources. Additionally, the abusive partner occasionally uses intimidation and/or violence to stop the victim from severing the relationship. As a result, victims often fear retaliation for ending the relationship.”
Mitchem asserts that, “Victims often stay, because they fear that the abuser will find her and kill/harm her, the children, other relatives, or friends. They stay with the hopes that the violence will end, because they are financially dependent on the abuser, lack alternative housing, or are trying to keep the family together. They stay hoping change is possible. It takes strength and determination to survive violence. However, as time goes on, surviving an abusive relationship becomes more difficult.” This fact is particularly true for economically disadvantaged battered women and abused women with disabilities. Mitchem has sought to enhance access to legal services for this particularly vulnerable population by understanding of the importance of legal information, assistance, and representation for many battered women, particularly those who are indigent, homeless, and/or disabled. During her tenure as executive director, domestic violence agencies have launched and/or expanded on legal service programs that assist clients in negotiating legal and other challenges that might arise as they seek to eliminate domestic violence from their lives. These very necessary programs assist survivors of domestic violence to build long-term safety and security for themselves and their children.”
For information about available legal services and other programs for victims of domestic violence in your community, please visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline website at http://www.thehotline.org.
Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art
Nichelle Mitchem Discusses the Characteristics of A Healthy Relationship
October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This month, we will discuss the dynamics of domestic violence, the impact of domestic violence, and programs and services designed to prevent and intervene abuse. Further, we will discuss the characteristics of healthy relationships. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), intimate partner violence results in an estimated 1,200 deaths and 2 million injuries among women and nearly 600,000 injuries among men annually. Twenty-three percent of women and eleven percent of men aged 18 years or more have a lifetime history of intimate partner violence victimization. Prevention is key in domestic violence. With that understanding, this post discusses the characteristics of healthy relationship.
Characteristics of Healthy Romantic Relationships:
- Partnership: There is shared responsibility.
- Economic Equality: Freedom exists related to issues of work, school, and money.
- Emotional Honesty: Both parties feel safe to share fears and insecurities.
- Sexual Respect: Accepts that “no” means “no”.
- Physical Safety: Respects partner’s space and discusses issues without violence.
- Supportive/Trusting: Listens and understands, values partner’s opinion, and sensitive to other’s needs.
Characteristics of Abusive Relationships:
- Domination: Abuser decides. Servant-Master relationship.
- Economic Control: Withholds money.
- Emotional Manipulation: Uses jealousy, passion, and stress to justify actions.
- Sexual Abuse: Treats partners as sex object.
- Physical Abuse: Hit, choke, kick, punch, pull hair, twist arms, trip, bite.
- Controlling: Isolates partner from friends.
- Intimidating: Charming in public but menacing in private.
The abusive behaviors listed above are not comprehensive. The information should simply serve as a brief overview and to encourage the reader to seek more information.
For further information on the topic of domestic violence, there are many websites that can provide comprehensive information on this topic including but not limited to: http://www.thehotline.org; and http://www.ncadv.org.
Source(s): Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Sanctuary for Families. National Domestic Violence Hotline. Photo credit: Microsoft Clip Art
National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, 2010: New Knowledge and Unanswered Questions
Event: Webinar: National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, 2010: New Knowledge and Unanswered Questions
Date/Time: Wednesday, May 16, 2012, 4:00pm-5:30pm Eastern Time
Faculty: Michele Lynberg Black, Ph.D. is an epidemiologist for the CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Walter S. DeKeseredy, Ph.D . is a Professor of Criminology at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT), and Molly Dragiewicz,, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology.
Hosted by: Barbara Hart, J.D., David Lee, and Kari Sonmore
Content: The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS), developed by CDC’s Injury Center, was initiated in 2010 to collect accurate and reliable incidence and prevalence estimates for intimate partner violence, sexual violence, dating violence, and stalking victimization. Released on December 14, 2011, this data draws important attention to these issues and creates opportunities to advance our intervention and prevention efforts… Overall, lifetime and one year estimates for sexual violence, stalking and intimate partner violence were alarmingly high for adult Americans; with IPV alone affecting more than 12 million people each year. Women are disproportionately impacted. They experienced high rates of severe intimate partner violence, rape and stalking, and long-term chronic disease and other health impacts such as PTSD symptoms. NISVS also shows that most rape and IPV is first experienced before age 24, highlighting the importance of preventing this violence before it occurs to ensure that all people can live life to their fullest potential.” VAWnet, see below.
Dr. Black will offer an overview of the findings of the NISVS, and Drs. DeKeseredy and Dragewicz will amplify regarding the significance of the findings and will suggest questions that appear to remain unanswered by the current report on the NISVIS data. If you would like to prepare in advance, please see the following options: See VAWnet NISVS Resource Page (14+ articles and links) at: http://www.vawnet.org/research/NISVS/
See PreventConnect on NISVS at: http://www.preventconnect.org/2012/01/web-conference-findings-nisvs/.
See more information about the Survey on the CDC site at: http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/nisvs/.
PreventConnect.org is a national project of the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CALCASA) and is sponsored by U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The views and information provided in PreventConnect activities do not necessarily represent the official views of the United States Government, the CDC, or CALCASA. For more information, visit www.PreventConnect.org .
Disabuse
There are countless domestic abuse myths which are pervasive. This post seeks to address many domestic violence myths. Domestic violence is a private family matter between a husband and a wife. ■ Domestic violence is a crime against society. ■ About 1 in 3 American women have been physically or sexually abused by a husband or boyfriend at some point in their lives. (Commonwealth Fund, Health Concerns Across a Woman’s Lifespan: the Commonwealth Fund 1998 Survey of Women’s Health, 1999) ■ In 1996, 30% of all female murder victims were killed by their husbands or boyfriends. (Federal Bureau of Investigation, 1997) ■ 40% to 60% of men who abuse women also abuse children. (American Psychological Association, Violence and the Family, 1996)
Women and men engage in domestic violence at approximately the same rate.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, between 1998 and 2002: ■ 84% of spouse abuse victims were females, and 86% of victims of dating partner abuse at were female. ■ Males were 83% of spouse murderers and 75% of dating partner murderers. ■ 50% of offenders in state prison for spousal abuse had killed their victims. Wives were more likely than husbands to be killed by their spouses: wives were about half of all spouses in the population in 2002, but 81% of all persons killed by their spouse. (Matthew R. Durose et al., U.S. Dep’t of Just., NCJ 207846, Bureau of Justice Statistics, Family Violence Statistics: Including Statistics on Strangers and Acquaintances, at 31-32 (2005))
Domestic violence only happens to poor women and women of color. ■ Domestic violence happens in all kinds of families and relationships. Persons of any socio-economic status, culture, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, age, and sex can be victims or perpetrators of domestic violence.
Some people deserve to be hit. ■ No one deserves to be abused. The only person responsible for the abusive behavior is the abuser. ■ Physical violence is against the law.
Alcohol, drug abuse, stress, and mental illness cause domestic violence. ■ Domestic violence is a learned behavior. ■ Abusers choose to abuse his/her partner. ■ Alcohol use, drug use, and stress do not cause domestic violence. The afore-referenced conditions might exist in a relationship where domestic violence is present, but they do not cause the violence. Abusers seek to find excuses for their violence. ■ Domestic violence is rarely caused by mental illness, but it is often used as an excuse for domestic violence.
If the relationship is abusive, she would just leave. ■ There are many reasons why women may not leave. Not leaving does not indicate that the relationship is healthy. ■ Research has taught us that leaving can be very dangerous for victims of domestic violence. Actually, in some cases, the most dangerous time for a woman who is being abused is when she tries to leave.
Domestic violence is not a problem in my community. ■ Research indicates that women worldwide experience domestic violence.
For information on domestic violence, visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline website http://www.thehotline.org or call 800-787-3224.
Source(s): Matthew R. Durose et al., U.S. Dep’t of Just., NCJ 207846, Bureau of Justice Statistics, Family Violence Statistics: Including Statistics on Strangers and Acquaintances, at 31-32 (2005). Commonwealth Fund, Health Concerns Across a Woman’s Lifespan: the Commonwealth Fund 1998 Survey of Women’s Health, 1999). Federal Bureau of Investigation, 1997. American Psychological Association, Violence and the Family, 1996. U.S. Department of Justice. The National Domestic Violence Hotline website. Photo Credit Microsoft Clip Art
An Abusive Relationship
When discussing the topic of romantic relationships, people often inquire about the characteristics of an abusive relationship. It is important not only to know the characteristics of an abusive relationship but it is equally important to know what constitutes a healthy relationship. A health relationship has been defined as one where it functions to increase self esteem of both participants in the relationship. An abusive relationship is one in which the victim’s sense of self is diminished. Let’s look closer at the characteristics of both types of relationships.
Healthy Relationships
- Partnership: There is shared responsibility.
- Economic equality: Freedom exists related to issues of work, school, and money.
- Emotional Honesty: Both parties feel safe to share fears and insecurities.
- Sexual Respect: Accepts that no means no.
- Physical Safety: Respects partner’s space and discusses issues without violence.
- Supportive/Trusting: Listens and understands, values partner’s opinion, and sensitive to other’s needs.
Abusive Relationships
- Domination: Abuser decides. Servant-Master relationship.
- Economic Control: Withholds money.
- Emotional Manipulation: Uses jealousy, passion, and stress to justify actions.
- Sexual Abuse: Treats partners as sex object.
- Physical Abuse: Hit, choke, kick, punch, pull hair, twist arms, trip, bite.
- Controlling: Isolates partner from friends.
- Intimidating: Charming in public but menacing in private.
The behaviors listed above are not comprehensive. The information should simply serve as a brief overview and to encourage the reader to seek more information. For further information on the topic of domestic violence, there are many websites that can provide comprehensive information including but not limited to: http://www.thehotline.org; www.ncadv.org; and www.pcadv.org.
Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art
VAWA Reauthorization 2011
Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women – more than car accidents, muggings, and rape combined. And studies suggest that up to 10 million children witness some form of domestic abuse annually. Everyone has a right to be safe. The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) gives law enforcement, prosecutors and judges the resources they need to hold offenders accountable, keeps communities safe while supporting victims, and provides critical funding for prevention and education.
VAWA is up for reauthorization. Recently, the National Coalition Against Domestic (NCADV) issued an action alert related to the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Reauthorization. In its action alert, the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence reminds us that the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is up for reauthorization in 2011. NCADV also reminds us that, “VAWA is a cost-effective, time-tested, constitutionally sound compendium of laws that guarantees equal protection to all victims seeking help under its auspices. Victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking look to Congress to keep this critical program going.”
The Violence Against Women Act has always had as its core mission to protect and serve ALL[i] victims of intimate partner violence and to tear down barriers that stand in the way of victim safety and access to justice. Currently, S. 1925 has fifty-seven (57) Senate sponsors. In order to avoid a filibuster, NCADV is actively working to secure a total of sixty (60) sponsors by March 20, 2012.
As previously stated, VAWA was always intended to serve ALL survivors. Every version of the bill since 1994 has worked to improve awareness about and expansion of prevention programs and the provision of services that included all victims of sexual, domestic, dating and stalking violence. S. 1925 enhances protections for “underserved populations”[ii]. The Leahy/Crapo Bill (S.1925) continues this intent by offering a gateway for greater reach to all victims by: an improved definition of underserved; an enhanced underserved populations grant program; and specific supports throughout VAWA for underserved populations. When you talk with your Senators, please tell them to support S. 1925 because it opens doors for all victims.
NCADV’s suggested actions related to the reauthorization of VAWA for this week include:
1. To secure a total of sixty (60) sponsors by March 20, 2012. If your Senator is not a VAWA sponsor, call them at their Hill office, ask for the staff person who handles VAWA and offer to help them convince their Senator to sponsor S. 1925.
2. Call and ask Senator Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) to schedule a vote on VAWA.
3. Tweet about the importance of VAWA Reauthorization- Join the twitter carnival for #ReauthorizeVAWA on Wednesday, March 7th at 12pm EST, 11am CST, 10am MST, 9am PST.
Action 1: If your Senator is one of the forty-three (43) who are NOT sponsors of VAWA, call their office today (http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm) and ask them to co-sponsor S. 1925: When you call, tell your Senator that only S. 1925 represents real, critical, lifesaving protections for ALL victims and all other versions fall short. To assist you with preparation for the call to your elected officials’ office, you may want to read NCADV’s talking points (http://4vawa.org/pages/s1925-is-the-real-vawa) about why S. 1925 is the only REAL VAWA. Additionally, it would be helpful to review the list of sponsors for the bill. To obtain the list of sponsors you can visit: http://thomas.loc.gov/home/thomas.php and type in the bill S.1925 for a list of sponsors and thank your Senator if he/she is already a co-sponsor.
NCADV suggested Senators who should be a VAWA sponsor:
Former Sponsors of VAWA in the Senate
Six (6) Senators have been VAWA sponsors in the past. NCADV posits that perhaps these former sponsors of VAWA need to be persuaded to sponsor the bill again. These elected officials need to reminded that VAWA programs and services are under-funded and under attack. It’s time to step up for victims of sexual assault and dating, domestic and stalking violence. The following senators are former sponsors of VAWA and need to be called about sponsoring the reauthorization of VAWA: Cochran, Thad (R – MS), Cornyn, John (R – TX), Grassley, Chuck (R – IA), Hatch, Orrin (R – UT), Hutchison, Kay Bailey (R – TX), and Snowe, Olympia (R – ME).
Senators that expressed an interest in VAWA
It has been reported that there are Senators who have expressed interest in (or should care about) VAWA and some have been supportive of program funding and services in the past. Ask the following Senators to step up to this crisis and sponsor VAWA: Alexander, Lamar (R – TN), Ayotte, Kelly – (R – NH), Enzi, Michael (R – WY), Graham, Lindsey (R – SC), Heller, Dean (R – NV), Kyl, Jon – (R – AZ), and Lugar, Richard (R – IN).
Action 2: Call Senator Reid’s office with this message: “We need Senator Reid to continue to be our champion for the whole country. Thank you for cosponsoring the Violence Against Women Act. Please schedule S. 1925 for a floor vote as soon as possible.”
If you are not from Nevada: 202-224-3542 (DC office)
If you are from Nevada: 775-686-5750 (Reno office)
Action 3: Participate in the #ReauthorizeVAWA Twitter Carnival on Wednesday, March 7th at 12pm EST, 11am CST, 10am MST, 9am PST. NCADV is seeking to make #ReauthorizeVAWA a trending topic on twitter. In order to do that NCADV needs a lot of people to tweet messages including the hashtag #ReauthorizeVAWA in a SHORT amount of time.
Here are some sample tweets proposed by NCADV:
We urge all Senators to support the real #VAWA that helps all victims- S. 1925. #ReauthorizeVAWA now! 4vawa.org.
Bring the real VAWA to the Senate floor for a vote NOW. #ReauthorizeVAWA now! 4vawa.org.
NCADV reminds us that, if we will not be in front of our computer(s) or hand-held(s) at noon that we can still send out the post on twitter at noon by signing up for http://www.hootsuite.com and scheduling your message to post on March 7 at noon (just make sure you’re time settings are for EST). During the Twitter Carnival, NCADV encourages us to retweet and respond to the twitters of others – always including #ReauthorizeVAWA.
You can share with your friends on Facebook, or Tweet about the importance of VAWA’s Reauthorization. The most effective way to ensure that VAWA secures sixty sponsors is through conversations between friends and family. Would you take a minute and speak to a few people in your social networks whom you think would be willing to join in the effort to secure the reauthorization of VAWA?
Why am I asking? It’s simple. You know your friends better than I do. You know which of them are most passionate about this issue. And you’re the person who can best tell them why this issue is worth their time and energy.
So please share with your friends on Facebook,Twitter, WordPress, and Tumblr about the importance of VAWA Reauthorization– it won’t take long. Together, we can get VAWA reauthorized.
[i] S.1925 is no different, particularly when it comes to Native women. S.1925 contains language that would remove some of the systemic barriers that prevent American Indian and Alaska Native victims from bringing their perpetrators to justice. These tribal improvements included in VAWA are also contained within S. 1763, the Stand Against Violence & Empower Native Women Act (SAVE Native Women Act) and they are essential to the safety of Native women.
[ii] Underserved populations are those who are provided with inadequate or non-existent services. Since 1994, VAWA has been about opening doors for all victims of sexual and domestic violence who have historically been ignored or provided with inadequate or substandard treatment and services – whether due to insufficient funds and scarce resources or discriminatory practices.
Senate Judiciary Passes S. 1925 (Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2011)
S.1925 (the Leahy/Crapo bill) to Reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) was passed by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday, February 2, 2012. Activists in every state and territory helped to send a strong message to the Senate about the importance of this bill and the various provisions in it. It has been reported that key Senate offices were flooded with calls making it clear to all the importance of reauthorizing VAWA. The calls, emails, and faxes served to make a difference in the passing of S.1925 (the Leahy/Crapo bill).
For further information on S. 1925, visit www.opencongress.org or www.govtrack.us. Sources: www.opencongress.org and www.govtrack.us.
Photo credit: Microsoft Clip Art
Preserving Our Roots While Looking to the Future
Preserving Our Roots While Looking to the Future
Saturday, July 21, 2012 – Wednesday, July 25, 2012
NCADV, in partnership with the National Organization for Men Against Sexism (NOMAS), will be holding their next conference, Preserving Our Roots While Looking to the Future, July 21-25, 2012 at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel in Denver, Colorado.
The Mission of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) is to organize for collective power by advancing transformative work, thinking and leadership of communities and individuals working to end the violence in our lives.
NCADV believes violence against women and children results from the use of force or threat to achieve and maintain control over others in intimate relationships, and from societal abuse of power and domination in the forms of sexism, racism, homophobia, classism, anti-Semitism, able-bodyism, ageism and other oppressions. NCADV recognizes that the abuses of power in society foster battering by perpetuating conditions, which condone violence against women and children. Therefore, it is the mission of NCADV to work for major societal changes necessary to eliminate both personal and societal violence against all women and children.
The National Organization for Men Against Sexism (NOMAS) is an activist organization of men and women supporting positive changes for men. At NOMAS’ Men and Masculinity conferences, we evaluate and examine diverse aspects in gender identity, gender roles, the construction of masculinity, and the experiences of men’s lives, specifically as related to the role of men as allies to the women’s and sexual assault domestic violence movements.
The Doubletree Hotel Denver
1-800-445-8667 (1-800-HILTONS)
3203 Quebec Street
Denver, Colorado 80207
Click the link below to see our main conference agenda: 2012 Main Conference Agenda
SNAPSHOT of conference events:
July 20th, 21st and 22nd:
- NCADV’s Pre-Conference Institutes (optional and closed to those who do notself-identify with each group). The pre-conference institutes are free to all attendees.
- Friday (20th) Women of Color Institute
- Saturday (21st) Rainbow Pride Institute
- Sunday (22nd) Battered/Formerly Battered Women’s Institute
July 21st and 22nd:
- NOMAS’ Conference on Men and Masculinity
- NOMAS Opening Session (21st from 4pm-6pm)
- NOMAS Men’s Studies Association Meeting (22nd from 9am -3pm)
July 22nd through 25th:
- NCADV’s main conference events including all NCADV plenary sessions and workshops.
- Note: NCADV’s Opening Plenary Session is Sunday, July 22nd from 3:30pm to 5:30pm
- NOMAS workshop track session on men and masculinity (July 23rd through 25th).
Following the conference, we will be offering two post-conference institutes from 1pm to 5pm on Wednesday, July 25th:
- Institute on Child Custody and Domestic Violence
- Institute on The Link Between Animal Abuse and Domestic Violence
Both post-conference institutes will be available to conference registrants for no additional fee. We will also be offering special registration rates for the post-conference institutes only. More information will be coming soon.
The plenary sessions that will be held over the course of the conference will be on the topics of:
- Intersecting Violences
- Radical Solutions for Ending Violence
- Women’s Use of Violence
- The Effects of Domestic Violence on Children
NCADV will be offering five workshop tracks during this conference (workshop tracks consist of 5 workshops and 2 strategy sessions on the specific topics below):
- The Effects of Domestic Violence on Children
- Intersecting Violences
- Radical Solutions for Ending Violence
- Women’s Use of Violence
- National Organization for Men Against Sexism
They will also be offering mini-tracks (up to a total of 4 sessions over the course of the conference) on the topics of:
- Human Trafficking
- Elder Abuse
- Financial Education
- Animal abuse and domestic violence
They will be offering topic-specific strategy sessions on the afternoons of Monday, July 23rd and Tuesday, July 24th. The aim of these strategy sessions is for attendees to strategize, plan and produce a suggested idea or solution for addressing the issue of the session they attend. The idea or solution can take any form (ex: a call to the movement, a toolkit, a resource list, etc.). NCADV will distribute these ideas to the field following the conference.
Following the conference, we will be offering two post-conference institutes from 1pm to 5pm on Wednesday, July 25th:
- Institute on Child Custody and Domestic Violence
- Institute on The Link Between Animal Abuse and Domestic Violence
Both post-conference institutes will be available to conference registrants for no additional fee. We will also be offering special registration rates for the post-conference institutes only. More information will be coming soon.
NCADV’s Young Advocates for Peace Program will run concurrently with all conference events beginning on July 20th and ending on July 25th. More information about this program can be found here. You will be able to register your child or children for this program during registration.
Source(s): NCADV
Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art
Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Reauthorization
Not all homes provide a safe haven. For the victims of domestic violence, home is a place where hearts and lives are broken. Family violence spares no one. The partner who is battered and the children who watch, or who themselves may be abused, all suffer. Their physical and emotional pain is long-lasting.
Domestic violence continues to pose a clear and present danger to the health and well-being of women. For far too many women violence and danger are their constant companions. Yet, domestic violence is a subject that we, as a society, are reluctant to talk about. As a result, victims often suffer and die in silence. And despite the intense media attention recently focused on a few high profile courtroom cases, the public remains largely uninformed about the nature and warning signs of domestic violence.
Until recently, domestic violence was viewed as a “private family matter” as opposed to a crime against society with potentially lethal consequences. Increasingly our public institutions—law enforcement, the courts, policy makers, health care providers, and social service providers—are recognizing incidents of domestic violence as violent criminal acts with devastating consequences for individual victims, their children, and the community, and are seeking effective methods for dealing with this pressing public health issue. Community support and involvement are integral parts of domestic violence prevention and intervention. The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) has provided funding for much needed supportive programs for victims of domestic violence.
The National Task to End Sexual and Domestic Violence Against Women in its recent action alert reminds us that the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is due for reauthorization. It has been reported that Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Mike Crapo (R-ID), will introduce a bipartisan bill on Wednesday, November 30, 2011, to reauthorize and improve VAWA. In its action alert, the National Task Force indicates that it has worked closely with them on “…the bill to ensure that it will not only continue proven effective programs, but that it will make key changes to streamline VAWA and make sure that even more people have access to safety, stability and justice.”
The National Task to End Sexual and Domestic Violence Against Women reminds us that it is important to get the Senators on the list below excited about VAWA and to get their support for the bill. With that said, if you live in any of the states listed below, please call your Senator(s) TODAY and ask for them to be original co-sponsors of VAWA. It is critical to VAWA’s reauthorization to get and keep our elected officials telephones ringing.
To assist you in placing your call, the National Task to End Sexual and Domestic Violence Against Women’s action alert provides the following talking points and contact information for your elected officials in Washington, DC.
“Talking points:
We know that Senator _________ cares about ending domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking.
The Violence Against Women Act is critical to our ability to address these crimes in our state.
There is evidence showing that VAWA has saved millions of dollars and countless lives.
We are asking for you to be an original co-sponsor of the Leahy/Crapo bill that will be introduced on Wednesday.
Please contact Anya McMurray or Noah Bookbinder at (202)224-7703 to sign on to the bill.”
Alabama
Sessions, Jeff – (202) 224-4124
Shelby, Richard – (202) 224-5744
Arkansas
Boozman, John – (202) 224-4843
Alaska
Murkowski, Lisa – (202) 224-6665
Arizona
McCain, John – (202) 224-2235
Kyl, Jon – (202) 224-4521
Florida
Rubio, Marco – (202) 224-3041
Georgia
Chambliss, Saxby – (202) 224-3521
Isakson, Johnny – (202) 224-3643
Idaho
Crapo, Mike – (202) 224-6142 – (thank him!)
Risch, James – (202) 224-2752
Illinois
Kirk, Mark – (202) 224-2854
Indiana
Lugar, Richard – (202) 224-4814
Coats, Daniel – (202) 224-5623
Iowa
Grassley, Chuck – (202) 224-3744
Louisiana
Vitter, David – (202) 224-4623
Kansas
Moran, Jerry – (202) 224-6521
Roberts, Pat – (202) 224-4774
Kentucky
McConnell, Mitch – (202) 224-2541
Paul, Rand – (202) 224-4343
Maine
Collins, Susan – (202) 224-2523
Snowe, Olympia – (202) 224-5344
Massachusetts
Brown, Scott – (202) 224-4543
Mississippi
Cochran, Thad – (202) 224-5054
Wicker, Roger – (202) 224-6253
Missouri
Blunt, Roy – (202) 224-5721
Nebraska
Johanns, Mike – (202) 224-4224
Nevada
Heller, Dean – (202) 224-6244
New Hampshire
Ayotte, Kelly – (202) 224-3324
North Carolina
Burr, Richard – (202) 224-3154
North Dakota
Hoeven, John – (202) 224-2551
Ohio
Portman, Rob – (202) 224-3353
Oklahoma
Coburn, Tom – (202) 224-5754
Inhofe, James – (202) 224-4721
Pennsylvania
Toomey, Patrick – (202) 224-4254
South Carolina
DeMint, Jim – (202) 224-6121
Graham, Lindsey – (202) 224-5972
South Dakota
Thune, John – (202) 224-2321
Tennessee
Alexander, Lamar – (202) 224-4944
Corker, Bob – (202) 224-3344
Texas
Cornyn, John – (202) 224-2934
Hutchison, Kay Bailey – (202) 224-5922
Utah
Hatch, Orrin – (202) 224-5251
Lee, Mike – (202) 224-5444
Wisconsin
Johnson, Ron – (202) 224-5323
Wyoming
Enzi, Michael – (202) 224-3424
Barrasso, John – (202) 224-6441
Please join me in contacting our elected officials to remind them of the importance of reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). With an equal amount of conscience, mind, heart, and collective action, we can eradicate domestic violence.
Source(s): National Task to End Sexual and Domestic Violence Against Women
Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art
