VAWnet News Blog

“What if I were to tell you one of the most pervasive and serious public health issues in the country is preventable? It’s an issue that hugely impacts women, men, children and communities. Would you be surprised to learn I was talking about sexual violence?”

“From survivors to politicians, activists and lawyers for the accused, TIME has gathered opinions from across party lines to weigh in on how to keep students safe. Here’s what they had to say.” Read more: http://time.com/100038/college-sexual-assault-debate/

“In 1973, Jenny Smith became one of the first abused women to find sanctuary at a refuge. Forty-one years later, she says women are suffering more than ever.”

“‘That’s how you change culture. It shouldn’t just be coming from us, it should be coming from our students,’ she added.” Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/03/university-of-new-hampshire-rape_n_5253157.html

While limited research exists regarding the prevalence of gender based violence within the Deaf community, it is known that Deaf individuals experience violence at significant rates. Findings from a computerized American Sign Language survey suggest that deaf adults who use sign language experience notably higher rates of intimate partner violence than does the general population (Pollard, Sutter & Cerulli, 2013).

“For decades, advocates have been swimming against the tide to prevent sexual violence and offer support to survivors. The White House Task Force to Protect Students Against Sexual Assault created renewed hope that the highest levels of leadership in our nation were serious about addressing this entrenched and unpalatable social problem.