VAWnet News Blog

​​​​​​​The NSVRC recently received the following request for technical assistance: “As a local rape crisis center, we are frequently asked why we don’t endorse women’s self—defense classes as a way of preventing rape. We have serious concerns about the notion that self-defense classes prevent rape. Is there a national position from the anti-sexual violence movement?”

Many teens fail to report the abuse because they are afraid to tell friends and family. For youth of color, reporting and finding help and support can be especially challenging. Growing up with a clear understanding and experience of inequality, discrimination and injustice can leave them with little trust in the systems that were put in place to protect them.

When instances of credit fraud and credit related abuse are identified, survivors, in partnership with advocates, can begin to take the steps necessary to build financial security and move towards increased safety.  

Survivors in later life do not walk through your doors often, and when they do, there may be a range of issues you and your agency are not used to dealing with. However, national data suggests that three to five million older adults experience some form of abuse annually (Connolly, 2011). Learning more can make all the difference.

But here is what we know: resilience is an innate human capacity that can be learned and developed in anyone. It’s not a trait – something that people have or don’t have – rather, all people have the ability to develop the skills that will put them on the path to resilience

by Ivonne Ortiz, Training and Education Specialist for the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence