VAWnet News Blog

The article reports, “Though many areas of life are recovering from the economic downturn, domestic violence shelters throughout the United States report that the economy continues to significantly affect battered women and children. While shelters shine a spotlight on the widespread increase in domestic violence survivors seeking help nationwide, they also highlight a substantial decrease in shelter services, funding sources and prevention efforts to assist victims. In addition, shelters report that the abuse is getting more severe, survivors are staying in abusive relationships longer and shelters expect the situation will only stay the same or get worse in light of the economy — according to the fourth national ‘Mary Kay Truth About Abuse Survey.’”

Read the full article at: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/while-signs-of-economic-recovery-persist-domestic-violence-on-the-rise-nationwide-2012-05-01

The article reports, “About a third of Russian women suffer domestic violence but put up with beatings from their partners and husbands in order not to lose them, an NGO said Wednesday. Last year, Moscow’s Anna National Centre for the Prevention of Violence launched the first free helpline in Russia for women who suffer domestic violence. ‘The first problem is the number of physical domestic violence, more than 30 percent of callers faced it, and the second is family relationship problems (about 20 percent of requests). The majority of Russian women put up with violence from their husbands in order to preserve the family,’ the centre said in a report.”

Read the full article at: http://india.nydailynews.com/business/1184afe896183b99ddc29c4d2e9bf340/every-third-russian-woman-suffers-domestic-violence

We fight for our children before we fight for ourselves.” ~ Domestic Violence Survivor (DV Services Study, 2011)

In the month of motherhood celebration, thousands of mothers and mothers-to-be across the country will spend Mother’s Day in a domestic violence shelter. Findings from a multi-state study of shelter residents indicate that more than three in four domestic violence survivors (78 percent) have children under the age of 18; sixty-eight percent have minor children with them while staying at the shelter. In addition to a safe place to sleep at night, survivors who are mothers have a number of other child-related needs such as children’s counseling, safety planning, childcare and schooling, among others (DV Census Project and DV Services Study). Domestic violence programs striving to meet these needs often seek support in developing fundraising strategies to sustain these important services. In response, the NRCDV has compiled information about creative Mother’s Day campaigns and events organized by domestic violence programs and organizations across the country to raise both funds and awareness in celebration of the courageous mothers who seek refuge in their shelters. The initiatives described below are intended as a source of inspiration for advocates in planning their own activities.

Seventy-eight percent of domestic violence shelter residents have children under the age of 18 and 68% percent have minor children with them while staying in the shelter. (Shelter Study, 2008)

Read more…

The article reports, “Acting Associate Attorney General Tony West today announced the release of Justice Department research examining how authorities learn about child victimization. … According to the research, school officials knew about victimization episodes more often (42 percent) than police (13 percent) or medical personnel (2 percent). Police were the most likely to know about kidnapping, neglect and sexual abuse by an adult. School, police and medical authorities knew about a majority of serious victimizations, including incidents of sexual abuse by an adult, gang assaults and kidnappings, but were mostly unaware of other kinds of serious victimizations, such as dating violence, rape and attempted rape.”

Read the full article at: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/04/24/4437725/justice-department-study-reveals.html

The article reports, “Today the Obama Administration announced new efforts to help combat and prevent domestic violence in the federal workplace. President Obama today signed a memorandum that will require federal agencies to develop policies to address the effects of domestic violence and provide assistance to employees who are experiencing domestic violence. ‘We know that domestic violence doesn’t just stay in the home. It can extend into the workplace, with devastating effects on its victims and costs that ripple across the economy. Federal employees aren’t immune. The President’s Memorandum sends a message about what the federal government—and all employers—can do to end this abuse. Today, President Obama directed the federal government to become a model for all employers in providing a safe workplace and support for any employees who suffer from domestic violence. For the first time, all federal agencies are required to establish policies to respond to the legitimate needs of employees who are being abused and who might need help, ‘ said Vice President Biden.”

Read the full article at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/04/18/we-cant-wait-president-signs-memorandum-establishing-policies-addressing

The article reports, “Though we have come far in the fight to reduce sexual violence, the prevalence of sexual assault remains an affront to our national conscience that we cannot ignore. This month, we stand with survivors of sexual assault, join together to break the silence, and recommit to ending this devastating crime. Rape and sexual assault inflict profound suffering upon millions of Americans every year. Nearly one in five women has been raped, and still more have endured other forms of sexual violence or abuse. Tragically, these crimes take their greatest toll on young people; women between the ages of 16 and 24 are at greatest risk of rape and sexual assault, and many victims, male and female, first experience abuse during childhood. The trauma of sexual violence leaves scars that may never fully heal. Many survivors experience depression, fear, and suicidal feelings in the months and years following an assault, and some face health problems that last a lifetime.”

Read the full article at: http://m.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/04/02/presidential-proclamation-national-sexual-assault-awareness-and-preventi