Awareness: Pay it forward!
In the advocacy community, the beginning of a new year ushers in a multitude of opportunities for calling attention to priority issues that impact our work. We spent January shedding light on stalking, human trafficking, and modern-day slavery. February offers a look at teen dating violence prevention and gives us a reason to dance for V-Day’s One Billion Rising. In March, we celebrate International Women’s Day, stand together to say NO MORE, and explore the intersection of violence against women and HIV/AIDS. For April, we join the conversation about healthy childhood development to prevent child sexual abuse. Let’s face it – advocates are busy year-round, and for good reason.
It’s not enough for us to know these issues. Our work as advocates compels us to reach farther – to share the message that violence is preventable and model how to make it happen. This eNewsletter highlights opportunities that can serve as catalysts for social change. It’s up to you to pay the message forward.
TEEN DATING VIOLENCE PREVENTION
Teen Dating Violence Prevention and Awareness Month (#TeenDVMonth) is a national effort to raise awareness about abuse in teen and 20-something relationships and promote programs that prevent it during the month of February. Resources and events of note are highlighted below. Be sure to also check out #TeenDVMonth events hosted by our partners Casa de Esperanza and Break the Cycle.
Blogfest:
Blogfest 2013 is a way to raise awareness about dating abuse and to join in the movement to end its occurrence. During Teen DV Month, the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, together with Break the Cycle, want to hear what teens, parents and advocates have to say about dating, love, sex, and most importantly, healthy relationships. Whether you’re a seasoned blogger, or are still learning about the blogosphere, we encourage your creativity and participation. Get more information on how to participate throughout the month here.
Twitter Chat:
This February we recognize Teen DV Month by continuing the national dialogue about engaging youth to help prevent abuse. Hosted by the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (@NationalDVAM), VAWnet.org (@VAWnet), Safe Start Center (@SafeStartCenter), the National Clearinghouse on Families & Youth (@NCFY), and Break the Cycle (@loveisrespect), this twitter chat will share tools, techniques, and resources to support youth in realizing healthy, respectful, positive relationships. Join us on Wednesday, February 6 at 3pm Eastern at #reachyouth.
If you think it’s difficult for an adult, imagine how hard it must be for a child. Let’s talk about having the talk.
Blog Talk Radio Series:
In this two-part series, Music’s Influence on Teen Relationships, Tracy Wright from the North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Maurice Hendrix, a seasoned domestic violence victim advocate from the DC Metro Area, will lead a lively discussion on music and other aspects of pop culture and how they can serve to influence teens’ decision making and outlook within their relationships. Tune in for both 30-minute programs: Part I is February 15 at 3pm Eastern and Part II is February 22 at 3pm Eastern.
Radio Program & Webinar Discussion:
Eric Anderson, Director of Youth Programs at Break the Cycle, will introduce Love Is Respect during the blog talk radio session on Thursday, February 28 at 1pm Eastern. During the webinar immediately to follow on Thursday, February 28 at 3pm Eastern, he will highlight various components of the website, loveisrespect.org, their new text and online chat features, and service provision to teens in need. Register for the webinar here.
New Applied Research Paper:
The Evaluation of Campus-Based Gender Violence Prevention Programming: What We Know about Program Effectiveness and Implications for Practitioners by Roberta E. Gibbons in consultation with Julie Evans (January 2013) reviews available evidence on the effectiveness of gender violence prevention programs on college campuses, explores various models of campus-based prevention programming, and discusses the implications of emerging themes from the literature for practice.
Updated Special Collection:
Preventing and Responding to Teen Dating Violence by the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence & Minnesota Center Against Violence and Abuse (Updated January 2013) highlights effective multi-level approaches to teen dating violence – for parents, educators, health care professionals, and advocates.
This #TeenDVMonth, Let Your Heart Rule!
This PSA was produced by Break the Cycle for last year’s campaign.
ONE BILLION RISING
One In Three Women On The Planet Will Be Raped Or Beaten In Her Lifetime.
One Billion Women Violated Is An Atrocity.
One Billion Women Dancing Is A Revolution.
On February 14, 2013, V-Day is inviting one billion women and those who love them across the globe to walk out, dance, rise up, and demand an end to this violence. V-Day wants the world to see our collective strength, our numbers, our solidarity across borders. Visit the One Billion Rising website to find an event near you, get the toolkit, and help spread the word.
HIV/AIDS AWARENESS
Launched by the Office on Women’s Health, Sunday, March 10th is National Women & Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (#NWGHAAD)—a nationwide observance that encourages people to take action in the fight against HIV/AIDS and raise awareness of its impact on women and girls. Join the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence in raising awareness of this vitally important issue—the intersection of HIV/AIDS and violence against women. Learn more about how to get involved and submit your contest entry today.
NO MORE DAY
NO MORE is the first overarching, powerful, visual symbol to express support for ending domestic violence (DV) and sexual assault (SA) in our society. With NO MORE the aim is to increase awareness, encourage conversation, and help break the social stigma surrounding domestic violence and sexual assault.
March 13, 2013 marks the public launch of NO MORE. The current focus of the day is on a series of events in Washington DC, each intended to reach a specific constituency: Youth, Opinion Leaders and Men. In keeping with the intent of NO MORE, however, the campaign team is eager to get the DV/SA field engaged in grassroots efforts around the country.
For example, a social media campaign that day focusing on youth or sharing new statistics with influencers; finding a professional or popular sporting event or music venue that might support NO MORE Day to reach men; working with local politicians and others to officially declare March 13th NO MORE Day; partnering with local businesses to create co-branded business/agency/NO MORE events that will help raise awareness community–wide.
Read more details about the NO MORE Campaign.
SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS
The 2013 Sexual Assault Awareness Month campaign focuses on healthy sexuality and child sexual abuse prevention. This April, join the conversation. Start talking about healthy childhood development to prevent child sexual abuse.
This campaign provides tools and information on healthy childhood sexual development for adults to use in approaching their responsibility to protect children. Learning about healthy childhood sexual development helps adults promote positive characteristics, skills and behaviors. These tools support parents, communities and organizations in identifying risk factors, supporting healthy boundaries and challenging negative messages.
Get the latest SAAM info at the SAAM Blog!
NISVS SPECIAL REPORT
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, has released data on interpersonal and sexual violence by sexual orientation. The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS) Special Report, Findings on Victimization by Sexual Orientation (January 2013), presents information based on respondents’ self-reported sexual orientation and their lifetime victimization experiences of sexual violence, stalking, and violence by an intimate partner. The findings indicate that violence affects everyone regardless of sexual orientation.
ECONOMIC ADVOCACY DURING TAX SEASON
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Other Tax Credits by Anna Melbin & the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (Updated January 2013) highlights resources specific to domestic violence survivors and advocates working with survivors in claiming available tax credits. This Special Collection draws heavily from the work of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, one of the nation’s premier policy organizations working at the federal and state levels on fiscal policy and public programs that affect low- and moderate-income families and individuals.
VIOLENCE DURING PREGNANCY
Violence During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period by Sandra L. Martin, Jennet Arcara, and McLean D. Pollock with contributions from Lonna Davis (December 2012)
This Applied Research paper provides research findings concerning violence against pregnant and postpartum women, discusses some of the strengths and limitations of these studies, and concludes with comments concerning the implications of this work for practice and research.
Violence during pregnancy is a critical concern because it is often frequent and severe in nature. Pregnant abused women tend to report experiencing more severe violence compared to non-pregnant abused women.
SPEAKERS GUIDE NOW IN SPANISH & ARABIC
From the Front of the Room offers 2 companion publications: An Advocates Guide to Help Prepare Survivors for Public Speaking and A Survivor’s Guide to Public Speaking by the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence.
The guides provide a basic overview of the issues that face survivors who desire to speak publicly about their experiences with intimate partner violence. They offer guidance for both the survivor speaker and victim advocates seeking to maximize the survivor’s physical and emotional safety and ensure the overall success of the speaking engagement.
Both guides are now available in Spanish and Arabic.
TA QUESTIONS OF THE MONTH
Read and comment on these recent requests received by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center and National Resource Center on Domestic Violence!
February 2013: What is the cost of sexual violence?
We must continue to gathering evidence to demonstrate what we already know: that prevention programs are valuable – not simply because of their immediate benefits for communities, but as cost-effective investments toward a healthier future.
January 2013: How can I help a child exposed to domestic violence?
What’s true for children exposed to domestic violence is true for all children: they need honesty, consistency, freedom, clear expectations, and a voice. They need constant reminders that they are worthy, competent, and loved.
December 2012: How can my organization create accessible materials in alternate languages?
For example, do your materials describe concepts in ways that community members easily understand and identify with? Do they acknowledge and incorporate the ways diverse communities respond to trauma? Are the images used in print and online representative of the communities you are trying to reach?
RECENT ADDITIONS
View all recent additions to the VAWnet library. Highlights include:
Outreach to Underserved Teen Victims of Crime by National Crime Prevention Council and the National Center for Victims of Crime (2012)
The Relationship Spectrum by loveisrespect.org (January 2013)
Violent Crime Against Youth, 1994-2010 by Janet L. Lauritsen and Nicole White for the Bureau of Justice Statistics (December 2012)
Capitol Offense: Police Mishandling of Sexual Assault Cases in the District of Columbia by Human Rights Watch (January 2013)
The World Family Map: Mapping Family Change and Child Well-Being Outcomes by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (January 2013)
Domestic Violence as a Basis for Asylum: An Analysis of 206 Case Outcomes in the United States From 1994 to 2012 by Blaine Bookey for the Hastings Women’s Law Journal (2013)
Apples to Oranges: Comparing Survey Findings from Selected National Surveys on Intimate Partner Violence by the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (December 2012)
Defending Childhood: Protect Heal Thrive by the Attorney General’s National Task Force on Children Exposed to Violence, US Department of Justice (December 2012)
