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)

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The 2012 Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) Campaign centers on the theme of healthy sexuality, letting everyone know “It’s time…to talk about it.” Healthy sexuality means having the knowledge and power to express sexuality in ways that enrich our lives (NSVRC, 2012). It means more than sex. Healthy sexuality includes building safe relationships, developing skills to communicate, positive and respectful behaviors and interactions, awareness of media and cultural messages, and it is always free from violence and coercion (NSVRC, 2012).

Sexuality can be viewed as an ongoing journey, something that grows and changes throughout our lives (NSVRC, 2012). It is important that information and resources on developing healthy sexuality be available to all people, from children to people in later life. Healthy sexuality relates directly to our work to prevent and respond to sexual violence. The ongoing process of active and informed consent is a key part of healthy sexuality and safe sexual relationships. Educating communities about consent and providing models for negotiating consent in relationships can enrich our lives in many areas.
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As veterans return from war zones in greater numbers, the NRCDV has seen an increase in requests from advocates who struggle to address the added complications that wartime experiences can bring to intimate relationships. Coming across the emotional journey of veteran Scott Ostrom through a striking photo blog, staff at the NRCDV felt moved to use this story to restart the conversation about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) among war veterans, and specifically highlight how this impacts the work of domestic violence advocates. Returning home to the U.S. with a severe case of post-traumatic stress disorder, 27 year-old Scott “has struggled with daily life, from finding and keeping employment to maintaining healthy relationships.” PTSD and TBI are not new issues to domestic violence advocates, especially as these relate to victims and survivors, who are at great risk for psychological trauma and head injuries. What has been emerging is an increased understanding of the implications to the domestic violence field of PTSD and TBI among veterans who return home to their partners and families. Scott’s story is being referenced here not as an example of domestic violence but rather as a powerful illustration of the toll PTSD can take on one’s life and relationships.

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When news stories on the allegations of former Penn State University Assistant Football Coach Jerry Sandusky sexually abusing children broke, many local rape crisis centers in Pennsylvania and across the country faced an increase in calls for services. Stories like this often attract media attention and responding can be overwhelming. In highly public cases of sexual violence, respect and care for the victims should be the primary concern for advocates in the affected community. These cases can be challenging and tiring for all rape crisis centers, but there are several points that can be useful in the future. Partners from the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR) shared some ideas about their response to Penn State and lessons learned for the future.

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Since 2004, advocates across the country have observed National Stalking Awareness Month in January, in an effort to educate society about this pervasive crime. According to the 2010 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, approximately 1 in 6 women (16.2% or 19.3 million) and in in 19 men (5.2% or 5.9 million) in the United States has experienced stalking at some point in her lifetime in which they felt very fearful or believed that they or someone close to them would be harmed or killed as a result (Black et al., 2011). Stalkers may be strangers to their victims but, too often, they are acquaintances, friends, and intimate partners. In fact, the same report indicates that for both female and male victims, stalking was often committed by people they knew or with whom they had a relationship. Two-thirds of female victims of stalking were stalked by intimate partners, and male victims were primarily stalked by intimate partners or acquaintances. More than half of female victims and more than one-third of male victims were stalked before the age of 25 (Black et al., 2011).

(…) intimate partner stalking is a serious criminal justice problem, and States should continue to develop constitutionally sound and effective antistalking statutes and intervention strategies.” (Tjaden & Thoennes, 2000)

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Sexual violence prevention programs led by youth often use a peer education model. Colleges commonly use these models for health education on campus. Additionally, some high school and middle school programs incorporate models in which youth undergo training and receive mentorship from adult allies to provide information and programming to their classmates.

At the national level, we have seen a trend toward youth- and peer-led prevention programming. In a recent assessment conducted by the NSVRC (to be published January 2012), it was found that 42% of innovative sexual violence prevention programs that participated in the study are doing youth leadership and mobilization. Through these efforts, programs work with small groups of youth to build their skills for engaging in anti-violence work in their own schools and communities. These prevention focused programs emphasize support for youth-led projects.

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