#Equalby2030: Rethinking Workplace Safety and Security

Posted by Kyle Coleman

Date: Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Time: 1:00pm-4:00pm Eastern, 12:00pm-1:00pm Central, 10:00-11:00am Pacific

Register: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1949025469616923394 

What if employers, anti-violence service providers, community and worker advocates came together to collectively design a comprehensive program to prevent and respond to sexual and domestic violence affecting the workplace?

Join Futures Without Violence (FUTURES) to learn about their innovative initiative, “Low Wage, High Risk,” to prevent and respond to sexual and domestic violence and stalking in industries or workplaces where women are especially vulnerable to violence and exploitation — such as healthcare, agriculture, hospitality and restaurants. Learn about the initiative, the real challenges and opportunities facing such workplaces and their workers, and how FUTURES is working to build up the resiliency of the workplace to freedom from violence.

Sex, Relationships and Getting Tested: Taking control of your health Safety Card

Posted by kvandertuig

The “Sex, Relationships and Getting Tested: Taking control of your health” Safety Card was designed for STI/HIV testing and counseling settings. The card is designed to help patients recognize how their intimate relationship(s) may impact their health and relative risk of becoming infected with HIV or other STIs, while providing information for safety planning and referral.

This tool is most effective when used by health care providers to start a conversation around healthy relationships and how violence can affect patients’ health; these conversations can occur both before and after testing occurs. If there is a positive result, these cards are particularly helpful in prompting both the patient and provider to think through safe and/or anonymous methods of partner notification. The card can also be placed in private areas such as restrooms or exam rooms.

Download the PDF of this safety card now!

Putting the Heat on the NFL During Super Bowl 50

Posted by Kyle Coleman

This week, against the backdrop of Super Bowl 50 in our hometown of San Francisco, we teamed up with filmmaker Jennifer Siebel Newsom’s organization The Representation Project and world-renowned Obscura Digital to launch our new #BeAModelMan campaign.

Check out this video to see what we’ve been up to:

Our goal is to raise awareness about the critical role men must play in limiting stereotypes―and ending violence against women. #BeAModelMan is challenging the definition of what it means to ‘be a man,’ and championing men in the community who are standing up and speaking out.

There’s no question that the NFL has a domestic violence issue. According to a USA Today database, there have been 19 domestic violence or sexual battery arrests of NFL players in the past three years.

The NFL can do more. We can all do more. (And that doesn’t even account for victims who choose not to report the abuse out of fear of backlash from football fans and the harsh eye of the media.)

Amid the flashing lights and swanky Super Bowl parties this week in San Francisco, we made our voice heard. Using a one-of-a-kind Tesla equipped with a mobile projector, we projected powerful images across San Francisco’s most recognizable landmarks—from Grace Cathedral and the Palace of Fine Arts to AT&T Park and the Moscone Center, official headquarters of SuperBowl50.

So, what does it actually mean to be a model man?

It means questioning traditional, and often harmful assumptions about masculinity.
We nee a new definition of masculinity. It means leading by example, as a father, brother, mentor, or coach. It means standing up to injustices in the community. It means being part of the solution to end violence against women.

#BeAModelMan leverages the incredibly powerful role that men play in the prevention of violence against women and embracing healthy masculinity. Standing up to violence when they see it, promoting a culture of respect in their communities, and modeling healthy relationships for the young people in their lives.

And we’re not stopping with the Super Bowl. We’re asking the country to rise up and demand change.Teach boys that violence does not equal strength. To teach our young people, especially boys, to reject violence. Model healthy relationships in your own life and set an example for those around you. Stand up bad behavior when you see or hear it—whether it’s a lewd remark aimed at women in the locker room, or actual physical violence.

Most importantly, let’s celebrate the men in our lives who are role models for the future.

Promoting Healthy Teen Relationships in Pediatric Health Settings

Posted by kvandertuig

Date: Thursday, February 25th, 2016 3pm-4:30pm Eastern, 2pm-3:30pm Central, 12pm-1:30pm Pacific

View the slides for this webinar

Teens who experiencing dating violence are more likely to suffer long-term negative behavioral and health consequences, including suicide attempts, depression, substance abuse, unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. However, there are interventions that are helping to prevent dating violence, increase safety and improve health. In this session, presenters will give an overview of the research on teen dating violence and its impact on youth, and will offer promising programs on how to respond. Specific clinic interventions will be featured and tools and resources for health care providers, teachers and parents will also be shared.   Participants will have the opportunity to hear from That’s Not Cool, who have developed culturally responsive prevention and intervention strategies, as well as youth-driven and youth-led prevention programs.

Speakers:

  • Elizabeth Miller, MD, PhD, FSAHM Chief of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
  • Yesenia Gorbea, MSW Program Specialist, Futures Without Violence, That’s Not Cool

Related Materials

Simple Actions You Can Take to Help End Teen Dating Violence

Posted by Kyle Coleman

February is a special month for us here at FUTURES. It’s Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month―a national awareness initiative to promote healthy, respectful relationships. Relationship abuse is often associated with domestic violence. But violence doesn’t only take place among partners who are married; abuse is also prevalent among partners who are dating. In fact, it’s estimated that one in five high schoolers will experience dating abuse. Here at FUTURES, we’re committed to preventing violence before it starts. This means teaching young people about healthy relationships at an early age, and empowering them to speak up when they see something wrong.

This month, we challenge you to help spread the word about teen dating violence. Check out these simple ways you can take action and be an upstander in your community!

Knowledge is Power.

Check out our brand new, completely redesigned That’s Not Cool website! You’ll find a wealth of resources for teens and adults, including sharable statistics, a Q&A section about teen dating violence, and tips and stories for promoting healthy relationships in your community.

Talk it Out.Teenage girl holding paper hearts over her eyes

Talk to the teens in your life about the affects of dating abuse. Check out these resources for tips and information to get the conversation started!

Activate Your Community.

Advocate for change at your school or community by becoming a That’s Not Cool Ambassador or Adult Ally. This is a unique opportunity to take action―whether you’re a student who wants to raise awareness about an issue that affects your friends, family, and community, or an adult educator who wants to empower teens to be part of the solution.
Splattered heart

Wear Orange.

Orange is the official color of the Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month movement. We challenge you (and your community) to wear orange on February 9th and post pictures on social media with the hashtag #Orange4Love.

Share it on Social.

During the month of February, help spread the word about Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month by changing your Facebook cover photo and profile pic! Show your social network what you stand for.

 

FUTURES Teams Up With the Representation Project During Super Bowl

Posted by Kyle Coleman

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT:
Lauren Brisbo, Futures Without Violence
Lbrisbo@futureswithoutviolence.org
415.678.561

FUTURES & The Representation Project Use the Big Game as Backdrop for Innovative Public Campaign: #BeAModelMan

Obscura Digital Teams Up with Bay Area Nonprofits to Use Mobile Projector Mounted on a Tesla To Inspire Healthy Images of Masculinity

SAN FRANCISCO (February 1, 2016)—Don’t call it the “Big Game.” For two Bay Area nonprofits working to end violence against women and children and promote healthy definitions of masculinity, this isn’t a game, but serious business. During the height of Super Bowl 50 celebrations, Futures Without Violence  and The Representation Project  are taking their message to the streets—and the façades of buildings—via a mobile, high tech projection system from Obscura Digital to provoke the question: what does it mean to #BeAModelMan?

“We’re challenging the NFL, sports associations, and fans to encourage boys and men to embrace a healthier definition of masculinity,” says Jennifer Siebel Newsom, founder and CEO of The Representation Project and filmmaker of the acclaimed documentary The Mask You Live In.  “Imagine how we could uplift the call to ‘Be a Man’ in the world.”

“With Super Bowl 50 here in our town, we want to raise awareness about the critical role that men must play in raising a healthy, less violent future generation,” says Esta Soler, Founder and President of Futures Without Violence. “How do you coach boys into men? By talking to them early about respect for women.”

Newsom and Soler are making their point through an innovative campaign that will be, literally, in your face. At various times throughout Super Bowl Week, a one-of-a-kind Tesla electric car equipped with a state-of-the-art mobile projector, will pop up at sites around the Bay Area using the sides of buildings to display a variety of images and messages that promote healthy masculinity and violence prevention. The technology and creative engine driving the campaign is San Francisco’s Obscura Digital, internationally known for such efforts as projecting powerful images of endangered species onto the façade of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican and on the Empire State Building to raise awareness of species threatened by extinction.

“Our job is to project change,” says Travis Threlkel, Chief Creative Officer and co-founder of Obscura Digital. “The #BeAModelMan effort is a unique, immersive, and mobile experience that will change the way you think about how to be a man in the world  At Obscura, we are passionate about collaborating with visionaries and proud to help The Representation Project and Futures Without Violence advance this dialogue.”

The effort has garnered championship support.

“A real man knows real respect,” said NFL legend Ronnie Lott who is adding his name to the effort. “We have to do a better job providing positive role models, on and off the field. With adults modeling healthy masculinity, it shows boys that winning isn’t everything, and treating women and girls with respect is part of being a man. I’m proud to stand up and call on men to do more with Futures Without Violence and The Representation Project.”

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Driving Awareness of Human Trafficking, At Home and Abroad

Posted by Kyle Coleman

January is synonymous with New Year’s resolutions, hope, and fresh starts.

Unfortunately, for millions of women and girls across the globe who are trafficked, this sense of freedom and hope is not possible. In addition to being the first month of 2016, January is also National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month—a national awareness building initiative to shine a light on the dark, often covert world of human trafficking.

According to the International Labor Organization, Human Trafficking― which includes commercialized sexual exploitation, forced labor, and domestic servitude―affects 20 million people around the world. Of those abused, 55 percent are women and girls, and 26 percent are children. Human trafficking is modern-day slavery. It involves people being bought, sold, and forced into slave labor or sexual exploitation.

It’s a rampant and very real issue that women and girls throughout the world face every day.

At FUTURES we believe the link between gender-based violence and human trafficking is critical. Many of the factors that make women vulnerable to gender-based violence—including gender discrimination, poverty, poor education and health infrastructures—are similar to those that give rise to human trafficking. And much like gender-based violence, human trafficking severely limits women and girls politically, socially, and economically.

That’s why FUTURES seeks to address the issue at all levels—through public education, policy and legislation, and research—to prevent the trafficking of women and girls and help victims not only survive, but also thrive. We’re calling on the U.S. government to make a financial commitment to end human trafficking and proposing legislation that makes the prevention of global gender-based violence and trafficking part of our nation’s foreign policy.

While human trafficking abroad has been more heavily covered in the media in recent years, it’s a devastating and thriving industry here in America as well, with many of its victims being runaway and homeless youth.

An estimated 1.7 million youth are homeless in the U.S. In every community, youth run away from home or are kicked out, become orphans, or exit the juvenile justice or child welfare system with nowhere to go―making them susceptible to abuse, including trafficking.

That is why, domestically, FUTURES is supporting the re-authorization of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act. The Runaway and Homeless Youth Act enables community-based organizations to provide homeless youth with crisis intervention housing, basic life necessaries, family interventions, and longer-term housing options. It’s the only federal grant program dedicated to supporting homeless teens, but has not been reauthorized since 2008 and is stalled in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

This National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, let’s help ensure that every woman and child has the freedom and opportunity to thrive. Take action by spreading the word about human trafficking with your network, supporting FUTURES to help make the prevention of human trafficking a U.S. policy priority, both at home and abroad, and urging your Senators and House Representatives to support the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act.

Underreporting tells a larger story when it comes to college sexual assault

Posted by Kyle Coleman

Earlier this week, the Bureau of Justice released a comprehensive study on the prevalence of college sexual assault, incorporating responses from 15,000 women and 8,000 men from nine schools across the United States. It confirms what we already knew: sexual assault on college campuses is a very serious issue that can’t be ignored. The federally-funded study echoes previous research demonstrating that as many as one in four women experience sexual assault and abuse during their college years. Despite outrageous and unfounded claims aimed at debunking this statistic and perpetuating the cycle of victim-blaming, it’s clear that there is a very real problem at our nation’s universities.

While the prevalence of college sexual assault may not come as a surprise to many familiar with the topic, we found the most alarming revelation of the study was that a majority of students who have been sexually assaulted never report it to law enforcement or to their schools. The question is: why?

Digging deeper into these data points paints a clearer picture of the climate on college campuses and our society at large.

The figure below depicts the highest-ranked reason across the board. Hands down, with a clear and present lead: “did not want action taken/not serious.” This is followed by: “others might think you were partly at fault.” These findings provide incredibly telling insight about how our society treats victims of sexual abuse. Instead of reporting sexual abuse, many women and men often blame themselves for what happened to them. This is a notion that is perpetuated and echoed by our society—in media, on Twitter, in daily conversations, and throughout our legal and justice systems. And it needs to change.

Graph from Campus Climate Survey Study depicting reasons why students didn't report abuse to law enforcement or schools

According to the study, most victims told family or friends about the abuse; but only four percent reported to law enforcement and only seven percent reported to their school. The issue is more nuanced than simply underreporting. Survivors are reporting to friends and family in a majority of cases—which can help them feel supported, safe, and heard. Unfortunately, this type of peer reporting does not always provide the recourse needed to bring perpetrators to justice, hold universities and the legal system accountable, and create a pathway for change. Family and friends of those who have experienced abuse are in a unique position to help shatter the cycle of victim-blaming and empower survivors to come forward.

Instead of making women and men feel isolated and at fault for their abuse, we must believe and support them, and ensure they get the help they need.

Schools and law enforcement must create survivor-centric and trauma-informed systems that encourage reporting. We must empower survivors to step out of the dark and take recourse, rather than shaming them into feeling like they drank too much, sent the wrong messages, or did something to incite the abuse.

The takeaway from this study is not that college sexual assault is a prevalent and rampant issue. We already knew that. The real takeaway is that we all have a role to play in changing the status quo that has kept victims and survivors of abuse quiet for so long.  Campus presidents need to take a stand and transform the culture of their campus so that survivors are not afraid to get help. Students need to put pressure on their school’s administration, be an up-stander when they see something that’s not right, and play an active role in promoting a culture of respect on campus. And friends and families need to support and empower survivors who come forward about sexual abuse, and reinforce that it’s never their fault.

 

 

Safe, Healthy and Ready to Learn (Executive Summary & Full Report)

Posted by Kyle Coleman

Screenshot of Healthy, Safe, and Ready to Learn ReportSafe, Healthy and Ready to Learn is a consensus report on children exposed to violence, and explores policy solutions to help children, families, and communities heal and thrive. The report was developed in partnership with leaders from throughout the health, education, justice, and child development fields, with support from The California Endowment, Blue Shield of California Foundation, and the Lisa and John Pritzker Family Fund.

View the full list of supporters of Safe, Healthy, and Ready to Learn, and sign on to endorse the policy recommendations on behalf of your organization.

Download the Executive Summary

Download the Full Report, updated January 2016

How the $1.8 Trillion Budget Package Will Help Prevent Violence Against Women

Posted by Kyle Coleman

Over the weekend, you might have heard about the $1.8 trillion package that was passed by Congress on a bipartisan vote and signed into law by President Obama. While there were undoubtedly major compromises made by all, for FUTURES and our partners, there’s cause for celebration.

The bill reflects many of our top priorities, and we’re particularly proud that our ongoing advocacy can be seen in some tremendous gains. The new budget package will:

  • Increase funding for the Violence Against Women Act and related programs by approximately $50 million—bringing the total to $480 million. Additionally, Congress raised funding for the Family Violence Prevention & Service Act by $15 million—bringing the total to $150 million.
  • Support the prevention of college sexual assault by raising spending from $12 to $20 million.
  • Dedicate $150 million to support victims and survivors of gender-based violence across the globe, who have been subjected to a range of atrocities—from rape to forced child marriage.

While we know this still remains insufficient to meet the need of all survivors and those who help them, we are taking a moment to recognize much success and progress. And mostly we’d like to thank you and our elected officials who have helped heal those hurt by violence and create a future without violence here at home and around the world.

Thank you for standing with us in 2015, and we’re looking forward to another promising year!

Guest Post: I’m 9,000 Miles Away From Home!

Posted by Kyle Coleman

Today’s guest blogger is Francine Nabintu, a McCain Institute Next Generation Leader from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Bonjour! Jambo! Hello!

French, Swahili and English.  Three months ago, I arrived in the United States speaking three languages but overwhelmed by a country so different than my own, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

My name is Francine Nabintu and I’m lucky to be spending the next year at FUTURES, representing the McCain Institute’s Next Generation Leaders Program.  My colleagues here at FUTURES think I’m very brave, and not only because I grew up in the eastern part of the DRC, which was most affected by repeated wars.

They think I’m especially courageous because I brought my five children, ages one to 12, along with me! And I’m grateful that my very supportive husband Christian, a journalist and anti-violence advocate, has taken a leave to join us here as well.

Thirty years ago, the idea of a Congolese woman moving to the United States with her family for a fellowship program would have been an unimaginable dream.

But it was also unimaginable that I would have an opportunity to graduate from secondary school, marry and start a family, then go back to school at Université Chrétienne Bilingue du Congo when I was pregnant with my fourth child. Education opened the doors that have brought me here today and I’m grateful for all the support and encouragement that I received from family and friends.

For the past five years, I have been working with a Congolese organization called HEAL Africa, which is  mainly known for providing holistic assistance to survivors of sexual violence. We are building relationships and connections between communities to combat the pervasiveness of sexual and gender-based violence.

I am proud to have piloted the first-ever intervention program that challenges traditional assumptions about masculinity, and engages men in the effort to end violence against women and girls.

Over the course of the year, I’ll be learning about FUTURES’ comprehensive approach to ending violence—particularly their focus on prevention, advocacy, policy, and programmatic efforts that engage men. I will learn how to engage with decision makers, making them accountable, and ending impunity that prevents us from moving forward.

In the next few weeks, I’ll be embarking on another new adventure: Christmas in America!  I wish you and your families a safe and peaceful holiday, and look forward to writing to you again in 2016.

FUTURES Announces Recipients of Grant to Improve Health Care Response to Domestic Violence

Posted by Kyle Coleman

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT:
Lauren Brisbo, Futures Without Violence
Lbrisbo@futureswithoutviolence.org
415.678.5619

 

Futures Without Violence Announces Recipients of Grant to Improve Health Care Response to Domestic Violence

Six community health centers and partnering domestic violence programs across the nation receive funding, training, and support to address intimate partner violence

SAN FRANCISCO (December 16, 2015)—Today, national nonprofit Futures Without Violence announced the selection of six Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) supported community health centers and Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) supported domestic violence programs that will receive funding to expand their capacity to support survivors and victims of domestic violence. The first phase of this project funded three sites and this second phase expands to now engage six new sites. The selected centers and partnering local domestic violence organizations will collaborate to identify and respond to domestic and sexual violence—an issue that affect one in every four women in the United States.

From now until September 30, 2016, the community health centers and domestic violence programs in each location will work together to promote the safety and health of people seeking services in either the health care centers or domestic violence programs.  Futures Without Violence will provide technical assistance, training, and resources to support the collaborations.

Recipients include:

“Domestic violence and sexual abuse can directly impact a woman’s health–even increasing her risk for chronic health outcomes such as asthma and heart disease, unintended pregnancies, HIV/AIDS and depression ,” said Lisa James, director of health at Futures Without Violence. “These six outstanding health care centers and domestic violence programs are in a unique position to detect and respond to signs of abuse among their patients, and have the potential to make a tremendous impact in their communities.”

The pilot program is funded through a collaboration of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services including: the HRSA Bureau of Primary Health Care, the HRSA Office of Women’s Health, and the Administration for Children and Families’ Family and Youth Services Bureau, Family Violence Prevention and Services Program.

Since 1996, Futures Without Violence has managed the National Health Resource Center on Domestic Violence, supported by the DHHS Administration for Children and Families, Family Violence Prevention and Services Program to provide resources and trainings to health practitioners and advocates across the country and promotes model health responses to intimate partner violence. For more information visit, www.acf.hhs.gov/fvpsa.

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Futures Without Violence 
Futures Without Violence is a national nonprofit organization leading groundbreaking educational programs, policies, and campaigns that empower individuals and organizations working to end violence against women and children around the world. Providing leadership from offices in San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and Boston, FUTURES has trained thousands of professionals and advocates–such as doctors, nurses, judges, athletic coaches, and other community influences–on improving responses to violence and abuse. The organization was a driving force behind the passage of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act in 1984 and the Violence Against Women Act of 1994—the nation’s first two comprehensive federal responses to the violence that plagues families and communities.

 

16 Days of Activism is Ending, But Our Commitment to Education Isn’t

Posted by Kyle Coleman

We know that education can give women and girls access to tools and resources they need to achieve their fullest political, economic, and social potential. But out of the 600 million girls across the globe ages 10 to 19, approximately 62 million of them are not in school. And the outcome can be devastating. Without access to opportunities, young girls across the globe are regularly exposed to labor exploitation, trafficking, early marriage, violence and sexual abuses, and more.

Today is Human Rights Day, and the culmination of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, an initiative that emphasizes the critical role that education plays in the prevention of violence against women and girls. While the past two weeks have been dedicated to raising awareness about the issue, our team here at FUTURES works 365 days a year to fight for women and girls’ access to education.

We believe it’s not only a basic human right; it’s the key to breaking the cycle of violence against women and girls throughout the world.

Earlier this year, we hosted the Open Square Summit in Washington, D.C. to convene innovative policy makers, academics, leaders, and experts from across the globe to help prevent global gender-based violence and increase access to education for women and girls. Here’s a peek at a powerful poem that was read at the Open Square Summit by Zinhle Essamuah, a student at the George Washington University. Learn more about increasing girls’ access to education by watching more inspiring videos from the event.

We read about the atrocities every day—from the ruthless attack on Malala Yousafzai, a young student in Pakistan, to the kidnapping of 200 Nigerian schoolgirls. At times you may feel powerless to stop the violence, but you’re not.

There are many things you can do to take action.

Encourage your elected officials to support the International Violence Against Women Act and the Women, Peace, and Security Act to make the prevention of global gender-based violence a foreign policy priority in our country, and elevate women in peace keeping efforts across the globe.

Support our work to help prevent and end violence against women globally through our work on The Coalition for Adolescent Girls, dedicated to supporting, investing in, and improving the lives of adolescent girls, as well as Girls Not Brides, a civil society partnership of more than 500 organizations committed to ending child marriage and enabling girls to fulfill their potential. We know that child, early and forced marriage is a form of violence against girls that often interrupts and impedes girls from getting an education all together.

Stand with us, on Human Rights Day and beyond, as we seek to increase girls’ access to education, decrease gender-based violence, and remove obstacles and barriers to help women and girls reach their full potential.

New Public Health Strategies for Violence Prevention

Posted by Anisa Ali

Date: Wednesday January 13th, 2016, 10:00-11:30 am PST

Please join us for an interactive webinar presentation and discussion about developing and implementing innovative Public Health Strategies for Violence Prevention. The featured presenter for this webinar is Connie Mitchell MD, MPH, Deputy Director, Center for Family Health, California Department of Public Health. During this webinar, Dr. Mitchell will discuss ways to:

•Integrate a focus on violence prevention into efforts to address social determinants of health
•Incorporate concepts of both risk (trauma exposure) and resiliency (safeness) into violence prevention planning •Implement new public health surveillance practices that incorporate trauma exposure
•Address disparities in health related to violence by integrate an understanding of violence exposure into a prevention-focused health equity framework

Presenter: Dr. Connie Mitchell, MD, MPH

Watch the recording here.

Download the slides here.

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Filed under: Health

How to Support Women Living with HIV/AIDS on World AIDS Day

Posted by Kyle Coleman

Over 60 percent of HIV-positive women have been sexually abused—five times the rate in the general population. This is no coincidence. The correlation between intimate partner violence and HIV is staggeringly clear, and we can’t continue to turn a blind eye.

December 1st is annual World AIDS Day, an awareness-generating day to combat the stigma associated with people living with HIV/AIDS. According to the University of California-San Francisco, trauma can play a key role in women and girls becoming infected with HIV. And once infected, intimate partner violence can prevent them from accessing necessary treatment and care. Stress caused by abuse can further compromise the immune system and accelerate the progression of the disease.

HIV is a symptom of a much larger problem—violence against women.

There is a connection between HIV and the work we do here at FUTURES to prevent violence against women and children. From HIV prevention to treatment and long-term care, health care providers have a unique opportunity to reduce the isolation of women who are being victimized, and increase their options for safety and better health. From integrating intimate partner violence screening into pre- and post-test HIV counseling to instituting universal healthy relationship education for all patients, FUTURES is working with the field to develop system-wide approaches to support women living with HIV and abuse.

If you’re looking for ways to help on World AIDS Day, check out the resources below. Understand the underlying causes of the disease so we can give every women and girl the opportunity they deserve.

1. Understand the Structural Drivers of HIV

It’s no coincidence that over 60 percent of HIV-positive women have been sexually abused. There are structural forces at work that increase the prevalence of HIV among specific demographics. The more we understand, the better equip we are to turn the tide on the issue.

2. Break the Stigma, in Media and Beyond

Stigmas associated with HIV are often perpetuated by coverage in mainstream media. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Check out these actions from Positive Women’s Network USA about what media makers can do to de-bunk myths about the disease, and the people living with it.

3. Listen to Women Living with HIV

Watch this powerful video from Greater Than AIDS, featuring voices of women who have overcome abuse and are HIV-positive. Their courage and bravery is incredible.

4. Share Resources with Health Care Advocates and Professionals

From doctors and nurses to advocates and educators, the health care field plays a critical role in preventing and addressing intimate partner violence and HIV. Check out these resources from the National Network to End Domestic Violence.

 5. Hear Voices from the Field

Read FUTURES’ latest e-bulletin, which explores the intersection between domestic violence and HIV.

Gender Based Violence, Health and HIV: Intersections and Implications for Clinicians

Posted by Anisa Ali

Date Recorded: Tuesday, December 1, 2015, 1:00pm-2:30pm PST, 2:00pm-3:30pm CT, 3:00pm-4:30pm MT, 4:00pm-p:30am EST

Experiencing intimate partner and sexual violence increases the risk for becoming infected with HIV. Upwards of 50% of abused women report having experienced forced sex – a well-established high risk factor for HIV infection. Once infected, people living with HIV who are also suffering abuse may experience escalation of violence upon disclosure of their status – resulting in potentially lethal outcomes. Intimate partner violence (IPV) can also prevent survivors living with HIV from accessing necessary treatment and care, and the stress caused by abuse can further compromise their immune systems and accelerate the progression of the disease.

From HIV prevention to testing, treatment, and long term care, health care providers have many opportunities to reduce the isolation of survivors and increase their options for safety and better health

This webinar will briefly outline the intersection of gender based violence and HIV, and descibe how providers, particularly those in STI testing and reproductive health settings, can respond to violence and support survivors at risk for contracting or recently diagnosed with HIV.

Speakers: Surabhi Kukke, MPH (Futures Without Violence, Kate Vander Tuig (Futures Without Violence)

 

#TheHuntingGround Twitter Chat

Posted by Kyle Coleman

In anticipation of the nationwide CNN screening of The Hunting Ground on Sunday, November 22nd at 8pm EST, #TheHuntingGround Twitter chat will take place on Friday, November 20th at 2pm EST.  Got questions about sexual assault and rape on campus? Join the conversation using #TheHuntingGround hashtag!

Tyler Kingkade (@tylerkingkade) from The Huffington Post will be moderating conversation between a panel of experts ranging from violence prevention organizations to student advocates. Experts include:

Help promote using these sample Tweets and Facebook posts!

Hunting Ground Promo Graphic

Sex, Relationships, and Respect on Campus: Training slides for campus health settings

Posted by kvandertuig

Sex, Relationships, and Respect on Campus: The Role of Campus Health Centers in Preventing and Responding to Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence training slides provide strategies, tools, and resources for providers, staff, and students of all genders working in campus based health settings to incorporate intimate partner and sexual violence prevention and response into their work. Using the “CUES” approach to addressing intimate partner violence in health settings, health center staff can use this approach as a conversation starter with all patients on the connections between health and relationships. Campus health centers are integral parts of a comprehensive campus response to violence. Moving beyond the limits of disclosure-driven practice (eg. traditional screening for domestic violence), this approach ensures that all patients, not just those who are able to disclose violence, have access to information, resources and support. By creating a clinic environment where students have the opportunity to talk about health relationships and consensual sexual activity we are helping to create a safe and supportive campus culture that does not tolerate violence.

Download the slide deck (PPTX) and other campus resources now!

titleslide

Sex, Relationships, and Respect on Campus Guide for Addressing Sexual and Intimate Partner Violence in Campus Health Settings

Posted by kvandertuig

Addressing Sexual + Intimate Partner Violence in Campus Health Centers is a guideline that provides strategies, tools, and resources for providers, staff, and administrators working in campus based health settings to incorporate intimate partner and sexual violence prevention and response into their work. These guidelines outline using the “CUES” approach to addressing intimate partner violence in health settings. Health center staff can use this approach as a conversation starter with all patients on the connections between health and relationships. Campus health centers are integral parts of a comprehensive campus response to violence. Moving beyond the limits of disclosure-driven practice (eg. traditional screening for domestic violence), this approach ensures that all patients, not just those who are able to disclose violence, have access to information, resources and support. By creating a clinic environment where students have the opportunity to talk about health relationships and consensual sexual activity we are helping to create a safe and supportive campus culture that does not tolerate violence.

Download the PDF of this resource now!

 

Ending the Sexual Abuse to Prison Pipeline: A Public Health Approach

Posted by Mie Fukuda

Title: Ending the Sexual Abuse to Prison Pipeline: A Public Health Approach

Date Recorded: Thursday, November 19th, 2015

Description: In recent years, the alarming fact that the majority of youth entering the juvenile justice system are survivors of complex trauma has become widely appreciated in the field of juvenile justice reform. But the unique impact of sexual violence on girls’ pathways into the justice system and their experience once inside remains under-recognized. A new report, The Sexual Abuse to Prison Pipeline: The Girls’ Story, describes the ways in which many girls who experience sexual abuse, especially girls of color, are routed into the juvenile justice system because of victimization. Indeed, sexual abuse is one of the primary predictors of girls’ entry into the juvenile justice system. In this webinar co-authors of the report provide an overview of the sexual abuse to prison pipeline and highlight federal policy efforts and innovative public health practices to end the Sexual Abuse to Prison Pipeline.

Learning Objectives:

As a result of this webinar, participants will be able to:

  1. Describe the Sexual Abuse to Prison Pipeline
  2. Understand the gendered trends in sexual violence and the relevance of gender differences in traumatic exposure to juvenile delinquency prevention and intervention efforts
  3. Understand the utility of the Girls Health Screen as a public health tool to help end the Sexual Abuse to Prison Pipeline

Presenters:

Maheen Kaleem, Equal Justice Works Fellow at Human Rights Project for Girls

Lindsay Rosenthal, Vera Institute Fellow and Research Associate, Center on Youth Justice and Substance Use and Mental Health Program

Resources:

 

 

Open Enrollment: How the Affordable Care Act can help patients experiencing domestic and interpersonal violence

Posted by kvandertuig

Date: Thursday, November 19th 2015

Time: 2:00pm-3:30pm EST, 1:00pm-2:30pm CT, 12:00am-1:30pm MT, 11:00am-12:30am PDT

Did you know:

  1. Open Enrollment is now! November 1st, 2015 – January 31st, 2016.
  2. Survivors of domestic violence (DV) can now apply for and enroll in health insurance coverage through the federal Marketplace (gov) at any time during the year. They do not need to wait for Open Enrollment to begin. This Special Enrollment Period (SEP) is available to anyone who has experienced DV.
  3. There are many health insurance options—and significant financial help is available?
  4. Screening and counseling for domestic violence are now covered benefits as a result of the Affordable Care Act?
  5. There are regulations that clarify how married victims of domestic violence and their dependents can qualify for financial help when they apply for health insurance or apply for a hardship exemption if needed?

Join this webinar to hear key steps and strategies for how to help clients enroll in healthcare and understand the domestic violence provisions in the Affordable Care Act.

Speakers:

  • Lena O’Rourke, O’Rourke Health Policy Strategies
  • Kate Vander Tuig, Futures Without Violence

Tools and Resources:

Most Inspiring Moments from Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2015!

Posted by Kyle Coleman

National Domestic Violence Awareness month helps raise the voices of victims and survivors across the country, and underscores the need to break the cycle of violence in our country. While October has slipped away in a blink of an eye, I want to take a moment to share some of my favorite moments from the past month.

It’s moments like these that inspire us to continue our work here at FUTURES!

  1. Pittsburgh Steeler William Gay wore purple cleats to honor his mother, a victim of domestic violence who was killed when he was only eight years old. Although he was fined almost $6,000 by the NFL for altering his uniform, thousands of supporters stood by his decision.
  2.  NFL legend-turned-broadcaster Terry Bradshaw spoke out boldly about his intolerance for NFL players who commit acts of domestic violence—and our program “Coaching Boys Into Men” was mentioned in a Washington Post article about Bradshaw.
  3. FUTURES launched our fourth annual RESPECT! Challenge, inviting the public to stand up to online harassment by creating online acts of respect. Be an upstander—enter now for a chance to win $5,000 for a charity of your choice!

  4. Blue Shield of California Foundation launched a compelling social media campaign called  #EndTheSilence.  Our very own founder and president Esta Soler helped spread the word!

    Esta Soler End The Silence

  5. The University of Alaska—Fairbanks interim Chancellor Mike Powers apologized for his University’s mishandlings of sexual assault. He said he was inspired to speak out after watching a screening of the powerful documentary “The Hunting Ground.”
  6. Delaware Governor Jack Markell signed a bill to keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers and protect vulnerable people and their families.
  7. FUTURES held the 16th annual “Health Cares About Domestic Violence Day,” to raise awareness about the intersection of domestic violence and health care. Advocates, organizations, and health care practitioners from across the country participate!

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Talking to Legislators and Other Policymakers

Posted by Anisa Ali

Title: Talking to Legislators and Other Policymakers

Date Recorded: Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Learning Objectives:

  1. Understanding core components of policy advocacy
  2. Understanding value of doing policy advocacy
  3. How to draw boundaries around permissible activities
  4. How to be most effective on behalf of your organization and your clients

Presenters: 

  • Kiersten Stewart, Director of Public Policy and Advocacy, Futures Without Violence
  • Laura Hogan, Senior Strategist, Futures Without Violence

Addressing the Effects of Violence and Abuse to Improve the Health Outcomes of Women Living with HIV

Posted by Anisa Ali

Title: Addressing the Effects of Violence and Abuse to Improve the Health Outcomes of Women Living with HIV

Date Recorded: Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Description:  The intersections between HIV and gender based violence are critical to address when trying to enhance both violence and HIV prevention efforts, and to improve health outcomes for survivors. Despite wide-spread availability of effective HIV medications in the US, the majority of women living with HIV are not accessing life-saving treatment. Women, particularly women of color, experience significant barriers to accessing high quality healthcare, and experiences of childhood and adulthood abuse are now recognized in the literature not only as risk factors for acquiring HIV but also as barriers to optimal engagement in and retention in HIV healthcare. Because trauma and PTSD are known to predict poorer HIV-related health outcomes, culturally-responsive interventions that effectively address the intersections of gender, violence and HIV must be considered an integral component of HIV healthcare and social service provision. Christie’s Place is a women-led, women-focused agency that delivers comprehensive social and behavioral health services closely linked to HIV healthcare for women and family members infected and affected by HIV in San Diego County.

Learning Objectives:

1) understanding the ways that GBV enhances risk for HIV infection
2) understanding the current research on the prevalence of violence, abuse and trauma among women living with HIV in the US;
3) recognizing the impact of trauma and mental health conditions including PTSD on the health outcomes of women living with HIV; and
4) knowledge of resources available for health care providers and domestic violence advocates to address the intersections of HIV and GBV

Presenters:

  • Erin C. Falvey, Ph.D., Clinical Director, Christie’s Place (San Diego, CA)
  • Jay Blount, Peer Navigator, Christie’s Place

 

Keeping it Confidential in California: New Privacy Protections Under CHIA

Posted by Anisa Ali

Title: Keeping it Confidential in California: New Privacy Protections Under CHIA

Date Recorded: Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Description: The Affordable Care Act (ACA) increases access to health services in an unprecedented way; however, people must feel safe using their insurance to take advantage of this opportunity.  Not all do, particularly DV survivors. For persons’ insured on a policy in another’s name such as a spouse, partner or parent, using health insurance can mean personal health information gets disclosed to the policy owner. This can lead to delayed and foregone care– and in some cases actual harm.  Thanks to SB 138: Confidentiality of medical information, all Californians are able to prevent their health insurer from making these disclosures. In this webinar, we will provide information on the problem, the new law and share how you can help clients/patients exercise their new right.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Explain the limits of insurance confidentiality law that allow disclosure of private information.
  2. Explain what a Confidential Communications Request is and what it will do to help keep DV survivor health information protected from perpetrators.
  3. Assist DV survivors in submitting a Confidential Communications Request to their insurance company.

Presenters:

  • Rebecca Gudeman, JD, Senior Attorney, National Center for Youth Law
  • Amy Moy, Vice President of Public Affairs, California Family Health Council

 

Addressing Workplace Impacts of Domestic and Sexual Violence

Posted by Anisa Ali

Title: Addressing Workplace Impacts of Domestic and Sexual Violence

Date Recorded: Monday, October 5, 2015

Description:  Workplaces Respond to Domestic and Sexual Violence, a national project led by Futures Without Violence, works to increase the safety and economic security of workers. Workplaces Respond is a public-private partnership of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) and several national organizations, led by Futures Without Violence. The project uses a variety of education, campaign and advocacy strategies to promote changes in workplace culture and practices to prevent and respond to violence (sexual violence, stalking and domestic violence) and exploitation. The project educates and builds innovative partnerships between workplace stakeholders – companies, worker associations and unions, and anti-violence advocates and service providers.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the ways that domestic and sexual violence and stalking impact the workplace.

2. Develop proactive workplace strategies that promote a victim-centered approach and accountability for employees who are perpetrators.

3. Utilize an innovative collaboration between stakeholders to the workplace impacts of violence.

Presenter:

  • Maya Raghu, Senior Attorney, Futures Without Violence

Applicant Webinar on Funding Announcement: “Phase II to Identify and Provide Brief Counseling on Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) in PCMH Recognized Health Centers”

Posted by Anisa Ali

Title: Applicant Webinar on Funding Announcement: “Phase II to Identify and Provide Brief Counseling on Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) in PCMH Recognized Health Centers”

Date Recorded: Monday, October 26, 2015

Description:  Did you know that women who have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV) in their lifetime are more likely to report having asthma, diabetes, frequent headaches, chronic pain, poor physical and mental health?  This webinar highlights Phase I of a pilot program to improve health outcomes through IPV prevention in three Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) supported community health centers.  The pilot sites, located in Alabama, West Virginia and Washington, DC, were competitively selected in response to a federal funding announcement. Each community health center is working collaboratively with a local domestic violence/sexual assault (DV/SA) community based program to improve support for DV/SA survivors. This webinar is for interested applicants to learn more and ask any questions about the funding announcement: Improving Health Outcomes Through Violence Prevention:  Phase II to Identify and Provide Brief Counseling on Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) in Health Centers.

 

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Improving Health Outcomes through Violence Prevention: Promising Strategies from Community Health Centers

Posted by Anisa Ali

Title: Improving Health Outcomes through Violence Prevention: Promising Strategies from Community Health Centers

Date Recorded: Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Description: Did you know that women who have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV) in their lifetime are more likely to report having asthma, diabetes, frequent headaches, chronic pain, poor physical and mental health? This webinar highlights Phase I of a pilot program to improve health outcomes through IPV prevention in three Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) supported community health centers. The pilot sites were competitively selected in response to a Futures Without Violence funding announcement. Located in Alabama, West Virginia and Washington, DC the three pilot sites will discuss their work to date to improve the response to IPV in a patient centered medical home model of care. Each community health center is working collaboratively with a local domestic violence/sexual assault (DV/SA) community based program to improve support for DV/SA survivors. Webinar participants will also learn how they can apply to participate in the next phase of this national pilot project. Promising practices, model tools and resources developed by the sites will be shared.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Identify why IPV routine assessment, intervention and referral can improve patient health outcomes.
  2. Describe how three community health centers have approached system change for intimate partner violence assessment, intervention and referral in a patient centered medical home model of care.
  3. Identify resources and a new competitive funding opportunity for community health centers to partner with community based DV/SA programs and address intimate partner violence in a patient centered medical home model of care.

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Elder Abuse: Raising Awareness and Impact on Health

Posted by Anisa Ali

Title: Elder Abuse: Raising Awareness and Impact on Health

Date Recorded: Wednesday, May 20th, 2015

Description: Elder abuse is an increasing common problem. Elder abuse may include physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, as well as financial exploitation, neglect, abandonment, and self-neglect. Often the victim is in an ongoing relationship with the abuser such as an intimate partner, family member, or caregiver. This webinar aims to raise awareness about the issue of elder abuse and help participants recognize elder abuse and identify the most appropriate resources for referrals. The response to elder abuse requires a collaborative approach.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Discuss the various categories of elder abuse and their prevalence.
  2. Review the current research on risk factors, screening, strategies for prevention, and most effective responses to elder abuse.
  3. Discuss the resources available for victims of elder abuse

Presenter:

  • Xinqi Dong, MD, MPH, Geriatric Medicine Specialist, Rush University Medical Center
  • Shelly Fox, Justice System Coordinator, National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life (NCALL)
  • Karen Roberto, PhD, Director, Center for Gerontology at Virginia Tech
  • Mary Twomey, MSW, Project Manager, California Social Work Education Center, UC Berkeley

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Campus Sexual Assault: What Clinicians Need to Know

Posted by Anisa Ali

Title: Campus Sexual Assault: What Clinicians Need to Know

Date Recorded: Monday, January 26th, 2015

Description: Sexual violence on college campuses is far too common a problem. The purpose of this webinar is to raise awareness about the issue and to discuss effective strategies for violence prevention and victim support. This webinar is intended to provide guidance for registered nurses, nurse practitioners, physicians’ assistants, medical doctors, and other clinicians who work with young adults.

Learning Objectives:

1) Discuss the prevalence of sexual violence on campuses and identify barriers to services
2) Discuss the role of alcohol in campus sexual assault
3) Discuss how to engage healthcare providers in effective responses to sexual assault
4) Discuss comprehensive approaches to sexual violence prevention

Presenters:

  • Antonia Abbey, PhD, MA Professor & Area Chair of Cognitive, Developmental and Social Psychology, Wayne State University
  • Tricia Bent-Goodley, PhD, MSW, LICSW Professor & Director, Howard University School of Social Work
  • Annie Lewis-O’Connor, PhD, NP-BC, MPH Nurse Scientist and Director, Partners Healthcare
  • Lynn Rosenthal, BASW Former White House Advisor on Violence Against Women

Returning to Being Good Relatives: Addressing Lateral Oppression and Violence

Posted by Mie Fukuda

Title: Returning to Being Good Relatives: Addressing Lateral Oppression and Violence

Date Recorded: Wednesday, October 21st, 2015

Description: Native peoples had a historical reliance on a system of kinship and helping one another to survive and thrive through the ages; being a good relative was central to sustaining a strong family, extended family and kinship network.  Due to the traumatic effects of becoming disengaged from cultural lifeways that nurtured and strengthened the kinship system, lateral oppression and violence now exists in all sectors of the community, whether it be in the family, school, workplace or general community.  The impact of lateral oppression and violence has far reaching effects and can lead to fear, depression, isolation and health problems; with the most critical impact on the children.  What is it and what can we do about it, what are some strategies and resources to aid in transforming a pattern of hurtful behavior to returning to a culture of being good relatives to one another? These questions and related issues will be discussed in this webinar.

Learning Objectives:

As a result of this webinar, participants will:

  1. Increase their working knowledge of lateral oppression and violence
  2. Expand their understanding of the impact of lateral oppression and violence on Native people
  3. Develop skills and approaches to address lateral oppression and violence

Presenter:

Cecilia Fire Thunder – President, Oglala Lakota Nation Education Coalition

Achieving Access for Parents and Children

Posted by Mie Fukuda

Title: Achieving Access for Parents and Children

Date Recorded: Thursday, October 15th, 2015

Description: Given the fact that 1 in 5 Americans have a disability, and the high rate of abuse among people with disabilities, it’s very likely you encounter adults and children with disabilities in your work.  For this reason, it’s essential to design your services in a way that accounts for accessibility, whether you’re providing direct services to children and parents, training professionals and community members, or creating outreach campaigns. This webinar will provide key considerations for working with adults and children with disabilities and Deaf people, a basic overview of your legal and ethical responsibilities around accessibility, and offer suggestions for enhancing the accessibility of your collaborating organizations and change efforts to ensure that people with disabilities and Deaf people who experience or witness violence and abuse are able to benefit from the work of your communities.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Outline key considerations for working with adults and children with disabilities and who are Deaf;
  2. Increase participants’ understanding of child abuse, domestic and sexual violence in the lives of people with disabilities and Deaf people, including barriers to accessing services; and
  3. Identify strategies for enhancing the accessibility of your collaborating organizations and change efforts

Presenter:

Anneliese Brown – Senior Program Associate, Vera Institute of Justice

Leveraging Sports to Help Break the Cycle of Violence

Posted by Kyle Coleman

With all the negative headlines about domestic violence in professional sports, it’s refreshing to be partnered with such an empowering and inspiring athletic event like Mudderella. Women and men across the nation are participating in Mudderella to own their strong and stand up to domestic violence. Here at FUTURES, we focus on proactive solutions that not only address violence, but also help prevent it from happening in the first place.

Violence against women is not a women’s issue; it’s an everyone issue. It affects individuals, families, and communities. Men and boys play a critical role in helping to end domestic and sexual violence. At Futures Without Violence, we’ve developed a program called Coaching Boys into Men, which provides high school athletic coaches with the resources they need to promote respectful behavior among their players to help prevent relationship abuse, harassment, and sexual assault.

Coaches are uniquely poised to positively influence how young men behave both on, and off, the field. As Coaching Boys into Men supporter and Duke University Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski explains,

“[the program] provides a great platform for teaching young athletes that the aggressiveness that works in a game has no place in their relationships with women.”

Check out this video of the South Portland High basketball team reading the Coaching Boys into Men pledge:

Sports and athletics can often be used as a starting point for opening up a dialogue about healthy relationships. Earlier this year we launched a campaign called Teach Early with the Ad Council to encourage role models to talk to boys about violence against women.

We’ve received incredible responses from the community. Skater Tony Hawk and former NFL player Howie Long even sent in some throwback photos of how they strived to “teach early.”

Muddrella is an incredible opportunity to shine a light on domestic violence, and empower men and women to speak out against abuse. This Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we’re grateful for the opportunity to team up with Mudderella. Together, we can help women across the nation to overcome obstacles and own their strong!

Keep an eye out for a 2016 event near you!

Guest Blogger: Supporting Women Living with HIV/AIDS

Posted by Kyle Coleman

Today’s guest blogger is Surabhi Kukke, MPH has worked in the field of women’s health and human rights for 15 years.

While many people recognize October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, fewer may be aware that today is National Day to End Violence Against Women Living with HIV.

HIV/AIDS is the leading cause of death for women ages 15-49.  In the United States, the statistics are a bit less stark, but still sobering. Women account for one quarter of people living with HIV, the vast majority (86 percent) having contracted it through heterosexual sex.

Intimate partner violence can be both a cause and a consequence of HIV infection for women and girls. Sexual coercion and violence puts women at increased risk for HIV infection. Women are at least twice more likely to acquire HIV from men during sexual intercourse than vice versa. The stigma associated with HIV makes HIV positive women more vulnerable to violence at the hands of their partners or communities and also can prevent them from accessing the services they need.

Three out of four US women living with HIV/AIDS reports lifetime experience of partner violence as compared to the national average of one out of four US women. The intersection between women’s vulnerability to violence and HIV infection points to a critical place for health care providers to have a trauma informed response. Understanding the ways that violence can interfere with HIV positive women’s ability to adhere to medical regimens, reach medical appointments on time, for instance, will help  health care providers offer the best possible care to their patients.

To address this serious issue, FUTURES, in collaboration with partners around the country has been developing patient and provider resources to address the intersection between intimate partner violence and HIV/AIDS. A new safety card, Sex, Relationships and Getting Tested: Taking Control of Your Health, gives providers a way to discuss the intersecting issues of violence and HIV and direct patients to needed resources. In addition we are developing training materials for health care providers to build their capacity in providing a trauma informed response to women living with HIV and violence.

Thanks to Sportswriters Who Speak Out!

Posted by Kyle Coleman

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and I can’t think of a better time to salute a group that has been doing their fair share of the awareness-raising for almost two years.

I’m talking about sportswriters. Seriously.

In February of 2014, when the elevator doors opened and Baltimore Raven Ray Rice grabbed the media’s attention for months, sports writers and broadcasters did more than report on the punch that put his girlfriend on the floor. Many of them took a heartfelt stand against any professional athlete who would commit an act of violence or sexual assault against a woman.

They questioned the judgment of team owners, coaches and the NFL,  all of whom fumbled through the disciplining of Rice as well as other perpetrators of violence off the field, including Ray McDonald, Adrian Peterson, Greg Hardy,  Junior Galette, Jonathan Dwyer, etc.  And through it all,  they continue to keep this issue on our collective radar.

Last week, NFL legend-turned-broadcaster Terry Bradshaw made us particularly proud when he surprised both the viewers—and his fellow broadcasters—on a Fox pregame show by sounding off about domestic violence and the NFL. Among the highlights:

 “Anybody in my opinion, that lays a hand on a woman—I don’t care who you are my friend—you never come back to this league.”

In Bradshaw’s world,  there would be no room for Dallas Cowboy Greg Hardy, who was convicted of assaulting a girlfriend last year.

So  thank you to Terry Bradshaw—and kudos to all of the other Upstanders. By that I mean all of the sportswriters and broadcasters throughout  the country who continue to  keep this issue front and center. There are certainly many more who deserve our acknowledgement and respect—but  here is a group we particularly appreciate:

Don Van Natta, Jr. and Kevin Van Valkenburg, ESPN
James Brown, CBS
Mike Tanier, Bleacher Report
Jane McManus, ESPN
Christine Brennan, USA Today
Juliet Macur, NY Times
Katie Nolan, Fox Sports
Louis Bien, SB Nation
Dave Zirin, TheNation
Diana Moskovitz, Deadspin
Louisa Thomas, Grantland
Katie McDonough, Salon

Funding Announcement Webinar

Posted by Anisa Ali

Applicant Webinar on Funding Announcement: “Phase II to Identify and Provide Brief Counseling on Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) in PCMH Recognized Health Centers”

Date: Monday, October 26, 2015

Description: This webinar is for interested applicants to learn more and ask any questions about the funding announcement: Improving Health Outcomes Through Violence Prevention:  Phase II to Identify and Provide Brief Counseling on Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) in Health Centers.

Register here: http://futureswithoutviolence.adobeconnect.com/e1073uzlq0e/event/registration.html  

Recording and slides will be available after the webinar.

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Educational Videos for Health Care Providers and Advocates

Posted by kvandertuig

These 31 educational videos are meant to be used by health care providers who are interested in incorporating evidence-based and trauma-informed practices for universal education as well as assessment and response to intimate partner violence and reproductive coercion as well as advocates and other providers who are hoping to integrate health services into their settings.

View the entire educational video playlist on YouTube or select one of the videos below:

 

Universal Education and Screening for Intimate Partner Violence in a Reproductive Health Setting

Navigating Reproductive Coercion with a Client in a Reproductive Health Setting

Supporting a Client Who Discloses Intimate Partner Violence in a Reproductive Health Setting

Reviewing the Limits of Confidentiality Part 1

Olivia: Pregnancy Test Visit and Anticipatory Guidance

Aleisha: Positive Pregnancy Test, Options Counseling, and Assessment for Partner Retaliation

Maya: Repeat PAP and Emergency Contraception Visit

Making the Connection

Safety Card Intervention with a Negative DV Screening

Taryn Reproductive Health Visit Managing Patient, Parent Interactions x264

Sam Part 1: HIV Visit and Anticipatory Guidance on Healthy Relationships

Sam Part 2: Three Months Later Addressing Technology and Harrassment

Jocelyn: STI visit

Series Opening: This is a Healthcare Issue

We Always See Patients Alone First

Safety Card Montage

Pediatric Health Setting

Positive Pregnancy Test, Options Counseling and Assessment for Possible Partner Retaliation

Healthcare Team

Connected Parents, Connected Kids

Part 1: Redefining Safety Planning to Include Emergency Contraception

Part 2: Redefining Safety Planning to Include Emergency Contraception

Provider Discussion of Safety Card Intervention

Eileen – ER Visit: Asthma

Marta – Oral Contraceptive Visit

Home Visitation: Supervision

Emergency Contraception Education

Memorandum of Understanding: Partnering with Local Domestic Violence Agencies

Amber – Home Visitation Domestic Violence Screening & Safety Planning

Laura: Mental and Behavioral Health

Olivia: Forced Sex Identified – Trauma Informed Mandatory Reporting

Olivia: Integrated Assessment for Reproductive Coercion During a Pregnancy Test Visit

 

Today is Health Cares About Domestic Violence Day!

Posted by kvandertuig

Today is the 16th annual Health Cares About Domestic Violence Day!  Advocates, health care providers, and survivors across the country use this day to bring awareness to the health impacts of violence and improve health care’s response to violence.

Health Cares About Domestic Violence Day is particularly timely because Open Enrollment for health coverage is right around the corner—starting on November 1, 2015. Even though survivors can access health coverage at ANYTIME because of the Special Enrollment Period for victims of domestic violence, Open Enrollment is a great time for advocates and survivors to take advantage of the expanded services to help get folks coverage.

Screening and counseling for domestic and sexual violence are now covered benefits under the Affordable Care Act, an addition that can be invaluable for survivors and their families. FUTURES helped to push for this policies  to make sure that the Affordable Care Act was able to benefit the people who might need it the most. Experiencing intimate partner violence in any capacity can contribute to number of chronic health problems including depression, alcohol and substance abuse, sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDS.

For more information on how the ACA can benefit survivors, check out a recent webinar.

Here are some ideas of how you can get involved:

  1. Educate your colleagues about how recent changes in health care policy can benefit survivors.
  2. Share graphics and information over social media! Check out our Action Kit for sample tweets and Facebook posts using #DVAM and #HCADV.
  3. Organize a training session or webinar for health care staff on DV screening and counseling. Download PowerPoint presentations from the Making the Connection: Intimate Partner Violence and Public Health Toolkit.
  4. Collaborate with a local DV agency to hold a community awareness forum or DV101 training at the health center. Find your local DV agency here.

For more ideas on how to engage your community on health and violence check out this recent webinar and our Health Cares About Domestic Violence Day Action Kit.

FUTURES Launches 2015 RESPECT! Challenge to Combat Online Bullying

Posted by Kyle Coleman

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT:
Lauren Brisbo, Futures Without Violence
Lbrisbo@futureswithoutviolence.org
415.678.5619

FUTURES Launches 2015 RESPECT! Challenge to Combat Online Bullying

Contest challenges Americans to spread acts of positivity and respect online, using GIFs, pictures, memes, and videos

SAN FRANCISCO (October 13, 2015)—The fourth annual RESPECT! Challenge launched today to help promote respectful behavior online, and draw attention to positive solutions that everyone can play in preventing online harassment and bullying. Participants can help counter negative and disrespectful online behavior by either submitting a GIF or meme that promotes respect, or by submitting an “act or respect”—a video or photo that captures them honoring someone in their community who deserves respect. The RESPECT! Challenge takes an innovative approach to combating online bullying and harassment by leveraging humor to engage participants—particularly millennials.

“Unfortunately, there is a disturbing amount of negative and disrespectful behavior online, which can escalate into violence and abuse.” Said Futures Without Violence Founder and President Esta Soler. “The RESPECT! Challenge leverages the power of the internet to drown out this negativity and promote empathy, kindness, and respect in online spaces and beyond.”

During the six week contest that will run from October 13 to November 20, people can participate in the RESPECT! Challenge by:

  • Creating a GIF or meme that promotes positive, respectful behavior online and tagging it with #gifREPECT on Twitter, Instagram, or Vine. Six weekly winners will receive a $100 Macy’s gift card, and will have their winning GIF featured on Riffsy’s popular GIF Keyboard library!
  • Submitting a video or photo that illustrates an ‘Act of Respect’ performed for someone who deserves to be rewarded with a public acknowledgement. One grand prize winner will earn a $5,000 donation to a school or nonprofit, a $5,000 scholarship, and a trip to New York City for Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks show.

Since 2008, the RESPECT! Campaign has encouraged and promoted respect and healthy relationships among students, teachers and schools across America. Macy’s, the national founding partner, has a strong history of support for violence prevention and awareness programs.
The 2015 RESPECT! Challenge marks the third year of partnership with social media experts at AKQA, one of the world’s top digital agencies. Each year, the San Francisco-based team has participated pro bono, soliciting as much as $1 million in donated online advertising for the cause-based contest.

Futures Without Violence
For more than 30 years, Futures Without Violence has led the way and set the pace for innovative educational programs, public action campaigns, policy development and leadership training designed to end violence against women, children and families around the world. Instrumental in developing the landmark Violence Against Women Act passed by the U.S. Congress in 1994, Futures Without Violence has established an International Conference Center that will engage today’s diverse national and global leaders, stand with survivors, and continue working to break the silence around gender-based violence.

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Returning to Being Good Relatives: Addressing Lateral Oppression and Violence

Posted by Mie Fukuda

Title: Returning to Being Good Relatives: Addressing Lateral Oppression and Violence

Date: Wednesday, October 21st, 2015

Time: 8:00am-9:30am (HT), 10:00am – 11:30am (AKT), 11:00am – 12:30pm (PT), 12:00pm – 1:30pm (MT), 1:00pm – 2:30pm (CT), 2:00pm – 3:30pm (ET)

Description: Native peoples had a historical reliance on a system of kinship and helping one another to survive and thrive through the ages; being a good relative was central to sustaining a strong family, extended family and kinship network.  Due to the traumatic effects of becoming disengaged from cultural lifeways that nurtured and strengthened the kinship system, lateral oppression and violence now exists in all sectors of the community, whether it be in the family, school, workplace or general community.  The impact of lateral oppression and violence has far reaching effects and can lead to fear, depression, isolation and health problems; with the most critical impact on the children.  What is it and what can we do about it, what are some strategies and resources to aid in transforming a pattern of hurtful behavior to returning to a culture of being good relatives to one another? These questions and related issues will be discussed in this webinar.

To register, please click here!

Learning Objectives:

As a result of this webinar, participants will:

  • Increase their working knowledge of lateral oppression and violence.
  • Expand their understanding of the impact of lateral oppression and violence on Native people.
  • Develop skills and approaches to address lateral oppression and violence

Presenter:

Cecilia Fire Thunder

President, Oglala Lakota Nation Education Coalition

Instructor, Oglala Lakota College

A Path for Workplace Rights and Freedom from Violence

Posted by Kyle Coleman

Join us for a national convening on multi-stakeholder collaborations to promote vulnerable workers’ economic security and freedom from domestic and sexual violence!

The invitation-only convening is organized by Futures Without Violence in partnership with the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. You’ll hear from inspiring leaders, activists, and advocates addressing the intersection of domestic and sexual violence and workplace rights.

We sincerely hope that you can participate.

Check back for upcoming updates, including the agenda and other logistics!

 

Register Now Button

What:

A Path for Workplace Rights and Freedom from Violence

When:

November 5, 2015: 8:30am ET – 5:30 pm ET
November 6, 2015: 9:00am ET – 12:45 pm ET

Where:

The Center (The LGBT Community Center)
208 W. 13 St.
New York, NY 10011 Map
212.620.7310

Speakers Include: 

Speaker Bios (PDF)

Agenda:

Agenda (PDF)

 

 

 

 

Child Abuse & Domestic Violence: Putting CAPTA To Work

Posted by Mie Fukuda

The 2010 reauthoriCAPTA Picturezation of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) included significant provisions to address the intersection of child maltreatment and domestic violence. Building on the knowledge gained from previous efforts to address this intersection, the provisions called for stronger federal and state responses to help children and parents in the child welfare system impacted by domestic violence.

This report examines how the domestic violence provisions in CAPTA have been implemented at the federal and state levels and subsequent successes and challenges. It is informed by interviews with key federal and state officials, child abuse and domestic violence advocates, a national survey of child abuse and neglect administrators, and other research.

Download the PDF now!

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Achieving Access for Parents and Children

Posted by Mie Fukuda

Title: Achieving Access for Parents and Children

Date: Thursday, October 15th, 2015

Time: 8:00am-9:30am (HT), 10:00am – 11:30am (AKT), 11:00am – 12:30pm (PT), 12:00pm – 1:30pm (MT), 1:00pm – 2:30pm (CT), 2:00pm – 3:30pm (ET)

Description: Given the fact that 1 in 5 Americans have a disability, and the high rate of abuse among people with disabilities, it’s very likely you encounter adults and children with disabilities in your work.  For this reason, it’s essential to design your services in a way that accounts for accessibility, whether you’re providing direct services to children and parents, training professionals and community members, or creating outreach campaigns. This webinar will provide key considerations for working with adults and children with disabilities and Deaf people, a basic overview of your legal and ethical responsibilities around accessibility, and offer suggestions for enhancing the accessibility of your collaborating organizations and change efforts to ensure that people with disabilities and Deaf people who experience or witness violence and abuse are able to benefit from the work of your communities.

To register, please click here!

Learning Objectives:

  • Outline key considerations for working with adults and children with disabilities and who are Deaf;
  • Increase participants’ understanding of child abuse, domestic and sexual violence in the lives of people with disabilities and Deaf people, including barriers to accessing services; and
  • Identify strategies for enhancing the accessibility of your collaborating organizations and change efforts

Presenter:

Anneliese Brown, Senior Program Associate

Accessing Safety Initiative

Center on Victimization and Safety

Vera Institute of Justice

Making a Difference on Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Posted by Kyle Coleman

Today is the first day of Domestic Violence Awareness Month!

While we’ve made great strides to address this rampant issue (through legislation like the Violence Against Women Act, programs that help support survivors and victims of abuse, and efforts to teach young people about healthy relationships), there’s still so much work to be done. While violence against women can feel like an insurmountable issue, it’s not. There are things that we can all do to help chip away at the problem—during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and every day of the year.

Be a change maker in your community!

Teens

Coaches

Parents

  • Teach your kids about healthy relationships early! Take a look at our teach early playbook for tips on talking to young people about violence against women. If you have a college-aged child, ensure that the university they’re attending (or could be attending in the future) is doing enough to prevent sexual assault on campus. Send an email to the college president now and take action.

Health Care Professionals

College Students

  • Educate yourself about the prevalence of sexual assault on your campus. Know your rights, and explore clubs and advocacy groups on campus to educate other students about the issue. Email your college president to ensure they’re doing enough to protect your safety. Or participate in your local Mudderella event to help raise money for Futures Without Violence, while having a blast!

Educators

  • Visit our Start Strong toolkit to implement a school-based program that promotes healthy relationships for middle schoolers.

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Filed under: Blog

New Sustainable Development Goals Announced

Posted by Kyle Coleman

This weekend, countries from across the globe will convene at the United Nations Summit on Sustainable Development to formally adopt a new agenda that aims to end poverty, reduce inequality, and prevent violence against women and girls. The 2030 Agenda, which includes 169 targets and 17 goals—called the Sustainable Development Goals—is the most comprehensive framework for global sustainable development ever designed.

In comparison to their predecessors (the Millennium Development Goals), the Sustainable Development Goals represent a significant step forward in highlighting the important role that gender equity plays in the development process. The new agenda includes a stand-alone goal on gender equality, and the empowerment of women and girls, and includes gender-sensitive targets in other goals.

There can’t be true sustainable development if women and children are not safe, and able to participate in their societies.

The adoption of the 2030 Agenda is a step forward in our efforts to help prevent and end violence against women across the globe. FUTURES, along with our community of partners and allies, have worked to take action against gender-based violence—a rampant issue that affects 1 out of 3 women globally. The inclusion of gender equity into the Sustainable Development Goals signifies a cohesive international aspiration to address global gender-based violence.

Here at home in the United States, we’re advocating for Congress to pass the International Violence Against Women Act. By working from the top-down to change the law of the land, and the bottom-up to change social norms that perpetuate gender-based violence, the International Violence Against Women Act will help tackle violence against women and girls at its core. There can’t be true sustainable development if women and children are not safe, and able to participate in their societies.

To help ensure that the Sustainable Development Goals are met, ask your Members of Congress to support and pass the International Violence Against Women Act!