Here are nine important myths about domestic violence. Take a moment and let the implications of these statements sink in, both about what they say about the reality of domestic violence and those who would make these statements. Read more…
All to often domestic violence goes unheard. It’s not something a woman (or in instances a man) is just going to talk about. For whatever reason–fear, misplaced devotion, a desire for things to appear normal–it’s not unusual for the victim of domestic violence to say nothing at all.
For this reason, it’s even more important to be aware that domestic violence is not at all uncommon, not at all limited just to “those other types” of families, not at something that could never be happening to one of your friends. This article has a good summary of what common warning signs look like:
Safe Place identifies warning signs that someone you know may be in an abusive relationships as the following:
- Injuries and Excuses
- Absences from Work or School
- Low Self-Esteem
- Accusations of Having an Affair
- Personality Changes
- Fear of Conflict
- Self-Blame
- Aggressive or Care-Taking Behavior in Children
As a friend, it is likely to question why the person can’t just leave the relationship. Leaving the relationship could also be a very dangerous time for the person so it is imperative that if a dialogue begins about how to leave the abusive relationship, a safety plan is developed. As a friend, helping to develop a safety plan could be the most important help that is offered.
This is a great post on child abuse and domestic violence and their implications for social justice. It includes good book recommendations and two action steps for Darkness to Light and National Sexual Violence Resource Center.
When I read an article like this, “Muslim women wage jihad against violence“, about the efforts of Muslim women to confront and combat domestic violence, I realize how effective and constructive a word “jihad” is and why we need to reshape our perception of it in the West. These brave women are doing amazing things, but we will never hear them if we continue to allow our misconceptions of words get in the way.
Your thoughts?
Why not sign up for the Unheard No Longer newsletter? After all, it’s free.
I’ll admit, this is not very encouraging news. Women are much more likely to face eviction. Several economic reasons are cited. All of which have gotten worse with the recession. The kicker is this:
Why are women disproportionately targeted? The study lists a combination of factors, but a few of them are outrageous: “women more readily complain to city agencies about repairs, potentially angering landlords who then find excuses to evict them. And police reports of domestic violence can backfire on women, leading some landlords to seek evictions out of fear that they will be fined for tolerating disturbances.”
Isn’t that great? As if being poor isn’t enough of a problem on its own. If a woman is brave enough to report domestic violence, she increases her risk of losing her home.
Sign up for a free subscription to the Unheard No Longer newsletter.
Mark your calendars. This looks to be an interesting online seminar. I’ll link to anyseminar excerpts that are posted.
Join Jewish Women International in a live webinar presented by Leslye Orloff, on March 4th from 12-1pm ET. The webinar will focus on immigrant women and domestic violence. Registration is $25 for non-members.
Ms. Orloff is vice president and director of Legal Momentum’s Immigrant Women Program (IWP). She is also a co-founder and co-chair of the National Network to End Violence Against Immigrant Women. She has written local and national training curricula and manuals and is a nationally respected trainer on domestic violence, cultural competency, VAWA immigration provisions, and immigrant victims’ legal rights and experience with domestic violence.
What you will learn:
- Overview of the dynamics and challenges faced by battered immigrant women
- Legal rights of immigrant women: Undocumented vs. legal immigrants
- Access to crime victims’ visas
- Public benefits provided to Immigrant women
- Recommendations for working with immigrant women
More information is available here.
Sign up for a free subscription to the Unheard No Longer newsletter.
Much of the image of the Muslim world by western non-Muslims, is to put it bluntly, that they hate women. Now I know that to say that reflects a gross misunderstanding of, or even complete unwillingness to understand, very real cultural differences. Read more…
This excerpt is from a letter to the editor on the Ventura County Star. It is in response to a recent article published in that paper about a wife charged with murder related to the death of her husband. Domestic violence will figure as part of the defense. Read more…
Raise your voice today for a woman who can’t. Watch the video. Take the Women ONE2ONE pledge.
Sign up for a free subscription to the Unheard No Longer newsletter.
I continue to see a steady stream of articles coming across my feeds about CPS. It’s worth pointing out that all of them have been negative, and all of them focus on CPS as the primary problem. Perhaps we need to consider things from a different perspective. Read more…
