Did You Know That Pakistan’s Islamic Council Wants To Legalize Domestic Violence?

Posted by support fwv

The global community was recently outraged by legislation passed in Pakistan’s Islamic Council on Ideology which condones domestic violence in the context of marriage. Ironically, the bill which is named “The Model Women’s Protection Bill” allows men to beat their wives “lightly” for the purpose of correction or discipline.

Women and men around the world are lashing back at Pakistan’s religious hardliners since the bill’s passing with the hashtag #trybeatingmelightly.  At Futures Without Violence we firmly believe in focusing our energies and resources on solutions. Here are four things we would like to see Pakistan’s Islamic Council on Ideology (CII) doing to empower, protect, and invest in women:

  1. #tryeducatingme

In 2012, Pakistan made world news when Malala Yousafzai was shot in the head by the Taliban as she was on her way to school. Even after Malala became a global inspiration for educating young girls and women, First Lady Michelle Obama’s initiative LetGirlsLearn reports that 62 million girls worldwide are not in school. 3.2 million girls in Pakistan are not in school. The CII should spend its time developing strategies to make sure girls are safe on their way to and from centers of learning so that they can pursue their education without fear for their lives. Instead of trying to beat girls lightly, let’s try educating them daily!

  1. #tryprotectingme

When the Women’s Protection Act was passed in the Punjab province (March 2016), the largest district in Pakistan, it gave unprecedented legal protection to women suffering from domestic and sexual violence, as well as emotional abuse. Among other provisions, the act called for investigations of violence and the establishment of shelters for women. However, CII felt the law was too westernized and opposed it. Women and girls beaten by their husbands ask for mercy, safety or security because they wish to live in dignity, not because they wish to be westernized.

  1. #tryempoweringme

In January of this year, the Child Marriage Restraint (Amendment) Bill 2014, a proposed bill that would end child marriage in Pakistan, was declared un-Islamic by the CII. The organization Girls Not Brides reports that close to 21 percent of girls in Pakistan enter child marriage before their 18th birthday. Child brides have little say in when or whom they will marry, are more likely to live in poverty, contract HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, drop out of school, and become a victim of violence. Where communities practice child marriage they rob their girls of a future and an opportunity to thrive.

  1. #tryinvestinginme

Investing in women is vital for growing an economy and developing a country; however,less than 30 percent of adult women are in the Pakistan workforce, and those that are working are often discriminated against. This discrimination doesn’t help women, and it doesn’t help Pakistan. A Mckinsey Global Institute Report from March of this year showed that women’s equality has the potential to add 12 trillion dollars to the global marketplace. Additionally, the Peterson Institute for International Economics found that businesses with more women leaders are more profitable! Consider that figure.

We at Futures Without Violence encourage the faith leaders in Pakistan and other parts of the world to expand their vision for building a better future which includes creating safe, secure and thriving communities for all. When women are given their independence, and an adequate education, the entire community improves.

Every Student Succeeds Act Funding Opportunities

Posted by support fwv

While full implementation of ESSA will not occur until the 2017-18 school year, planning must begin now. States and school districts can find valuable resources for creating positive school climates and preventing and responding to students’ exposure to violence and trauma in ESSA Titles I, II, IV, V, VI, VII, and IX. This guide describes resources, programmatic requirements, and allowable uses of funds in each of these Titles. For each Title, this guide provides a brief description about the program that was authorized, lists the appropriated and authorized funding levels as set forth by Congress,9 the President’s fiscal year 2017 budget request, and the type of entity that can apply for the funds. Unless otherwise indicated, the language from the law itself is in the Appendix.

While ESSA is new, many of the activities described in the law have already been carried out by states and school districts. The guide highlights some of these efforts and results throughout the document. While this guide focuses on ESSA, please note that there are other federal grant programs that can support this work, including those in the United States Department of Justice, Department of Health and Human Services, and Department of Education. Please visit www.grants.gov to search for these grants.

We hope you find this funding guide useful in your efforts to ensure that all students can attend school safe, healthy, and ready to learn. The United States Department of Education will be issuing both regulations and non-regulatory guidance in the weeks and months ahead to provide additional clarity about ESSA. We encourage you to visit the Department’s dedicated website to ESSA, www.ed.gov/essa, for the latest information.

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How Being a Father Against Violence Makes You a #TrueDude

Posted by support fwv

Sixteen years ago, I stepped into a role that I never imagined would be so powerful and rewarding – becoming a dad. Three children later, I can honestly say it is the most difficult job I’ve ever had. But I wouldn’t give it up for the world.

Recently, the horrendous news of the young Stanford student whose “20 minutes of action” with an unconscious young woman enraged the nation, was slapped on the hand with a punishment that did not fit the crime. As a dad of a teenage daughter as well as two teenage sons, it particularly struck a chord inside of me. The behavior of this young man was beyond inexcusable but equally disturbing in my eyes was the behavior of his father.   Upon learning of this horrific event, I spoke to my sixteen year old son to make sure he knew that the sexual assault, and the student’s reluctance to take responsibility, was absolutely unacceptable.  I hope parents all over the country are having the same conversation with their teens.

Being a parent is not an easy job. But we have a responsibility to guide our children and teach them how to make good decisions.

The following advice from FUTURES WITHOUT VIOLENCE is a guideline for Fathers (and Mothers) to use when addressing the topic of violence in relationships today. I encourage you to have this candid conversation with your children.

  • Have honest conversations with your kids about consent and dating violence…

Prepare your children to respond to real and active threats in Middle and High School. Unfortunately, approximately one in three adolescent girls in the United States is a victim of physical, emotional or verbal abuse from a dating partner. Dating violence victimizes both genders, so modeling healthy relationships, educates kids on what they should expect from a partner.   Fathers can play a crucial role in educating their sons to respect women’s choices. The Teach Early Playbook features Top Ten Tips for having those critical conversations.

  • Treat your daughters and sons equally…

Teach your children that their gender does not equate to their value or potential. Disparities between children based on gender arise at an extremely young age, with girls disproportionately showing less interest in contact sports or STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields, and boys growing to exhibit more aggression. Our new partnership with True Dude is all about challenging the current perception of masculinity! Take a look at the True Dude Manifesto, an empowering video. Or try the True Dudes Diaper Changing Challenge for a chance to win a year-long supply of Pampers!

  • Coach Boys into Men who respect women…

Model for your sons how to treat women, and show your daughters how they deserve to be treated.  Men who make it clear that violence and harassment are not acceptable can work towards ending both. FUTURES’ Coaching Boys into Men program provides athletic coaches with the tools to talk to their players about respect for women and healthy relationships.  Learn more about the only sports-based gender-based violence program recommended by the Centers for Disease Controls here:

The title of Dad and Father should not be taken lightly.  It is a title that holds respect, responsibility and honor.  I am passionate about creating a Future Without Violence and am honored to partner with this amazing organization.

Collaborating with Community Based Organizations and Faith Based Communities to Address Human Trafficking

Posted by support fwv

Title: Collaborating with Community Based Organizations and Faith Based Communities to Address Human Trafficking

Date: Tuesday, May 24th, 2016, 10:00-11:30 am PST

  • Watch the recording here:
    Section 1 – Introduction to collaboration, overview of human trafficking and intersection with domestic violence and sexual assault.  (15 Minutes)
    Section 2 – Collaborating with community and faith based communities. (27 minutes)
    Section 3 – Collaborating with survivors and questions and answers. (17 Minutes)
  • View the Power Point slides
  • Captioning script available here
  • Additional resources are available here for this webinar.

Description:

Community and faith-based organizations have historically played a key role in raising awareness, mobilizing the public, and creating political will among policy-makers to take action on important social issues such as human trafficking.  This webinar will address key strategies and recommendations on Effective Collaboration with Community Based Organizations and Faith Based Communities to Address Human Trafficking. Presenters will also share their experiences, lessons learned, and promising practices.

As a result of this webinar you will be better able to:

  • Identify strategies for collaboration among DV/SA service providers, community based organizations and faith-based communities to support survivors/victims of human trafficking who have experience domestic violence or sexual assault.
  • Define roles and differentiate goals of service providers and community-based organizations in addressing human trafficking.
  • Engage community based organizations to support and share the work on anti-human trafficking efforts.

Presenters:

  • Kiricka Yarbough Smith, Consultant
  • Perla Flores, Community Solutions

Facilitator: Elena Dineen, Futures Without Violence

An Alarm Bell is Ringing

Posted by support fwv

When I last checked the Internet, the now-famous letter from a survivor of rape on the Stanford University campus had been shared and viewed more than 9 million times! Both brutal  and courageously candid in its detail, the 13-page letter has been shared on hundreds of social media sites —and even read aloud by a CNN broadcaster on the air. It’s an unforgettable read.

It’s also an alarm bell that is ringing all over the world—reminding us that the days of shame and blame around survivors of sexual assault must come to an end. It’s a wake-up call that was long overdue.

Stanford Rape

We understand the grief that both families are experiencing, but we’re disturbed that the father of the perpetrator would suggest that his son might be an appropriate ambassador to talk to other college students about the “dangers of alcohol consumption and sexual promiscuity.”  In fact, his son has yet to acknowledge or accept responsibility for his actions.  And in our experience, there is no healing without the truth. 

This is serious trauma. And despite America’s long tradition to blame and then rehabilitate its heroes, we must be rational about the devastating and long-lasting repercussions that these events are going to have. Let’s not confuse remorse with expertise. Perpetrators of sexual assault require appropriate punitive action, intensive counseling and education, as well as time, distance, and reflection before they should consider stepping back into the arena to try to influence others. But most of all, they need to acknowledge what they did. 

As the eloquent survivor concluded in her letter, “And finally, to girls everywhere, I am with you. On nights when you feel alone, I am with you. When people doubt you or dismiss you, I am with you. So never stop fighting, I believe you.”

Guest Blogger: The Trek for Water: How Scarcity Impacts Girls in Impoverished Regions

Posted by kvandertuig

Julie Potyraj is the community manager for MPH@GW, the  Master of Public Health program offered by the Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University.  

Every morning before the sun rises, Elizabeth walks around her family’s sandy yard picking up the empty water containers from each hut. Though she is only 10 years old, she is responsible for collecting water for her family. In many parts of the world, including Elizabeth’s country Zambia, collecting water is a traditional and expected gender role reserved for women. Sometimes she will be accompanied by older siblings or female relatives, but often Elizabeth and her two younger sisters will make the trek to the water source alone. During the rainy season, water gathers in a small pond within close proximity to her family’s hut. However, during the dry season, the pond disappears. Elizabeth must walk farther and farther away from the safety of her family in search of water.

Elizabeth’s situation is not an uncommon reality. On average women and girls walk 3.7 miles each day to find water to bring back to their families. And water availability is only going to be more unpredictable in upcoming years. Due to climate change, Sub-Saharan Africa is particularly vulnerable to increased water insecurity. Clean and accessible water supplies will continue to be a challenge for both rural and urban areas. As weather patterns change across the region, higher temperatures and irregular rainfall mean that people like Elizabeth may not be able to rely on their typical water sources.

In countries like Zambia where it takes at least 30 minutes to access water, girls are less likely to attend school because household chores take precedence over education. For these girls, foregoing an education limits opportunities for their future and decreases their financial independence and autonomy.

In Sub-Saharan Africa alone, women spend 40 billion hours collecting water each year. That is precious time that could be spent going to school, generating income, or working to develop their communities.

Instead, girls and women spend their time traveling great distances carrying the heavy burden of water, while often risking their safety. Just like Elizabeth, many girls and women often travel in darkness to water sources so they can return before sunrise. During this time, they are more susceptible to violence and sexual assault. In Zambia and other countries, girls know there is a risk of rape every time they leave their homes to fetch water. But neglecting their water collecting duties, or waiting until a safer hour of the day, are not choices these women are allowed to make.

The world cannot afford to let this pattern continue. Women’s health is too valuable. Girls’ education is too important. And the time and income they forfeit is too costly. Water is not just a health and development issue, it’s a women’s equality issue. Girls like Elizabeth deserve clean water, and it is up to society to ensure the cost is not too high.

To learn more about global initiatives to provide water in poverty-stricken regions and protect women, visit the  U.N., UNICEF, and WaterAid.

Introduction to Labor and Sex Trafficking: A Health Care & Human Rights Challenge

Posted by kvandertuig

Introduction to Labor and Sex Trafficking: A Health Care & Human Rights Challenge

Date/Time: Monday July, 11th 2016; 12-1:30pm PT, 1-2:30pm MT, 2-3:30pm CT, 3-4:30pm ET

Description: Human trafficking has severe adverse effects on the health, well-being, and human rights of millions of vulnerable adults and young people in the United States and globally. Health professionals can play a significant role in early intervention of this problem and reducing the profound suffering it causes. This institute will increase understanding of the dimensions of labor and sex trafficking and discuss specific action steps that health professionals can take to address the problem. The webinar will provide a brief overview of the problem from a public health, clinical, and human rights perspective; explain how clinicians can identify and respond; and illustrate how forging community and systems partnerships build more effective local responses. Other more in-depth webinars will be offered later.

Click here to access a recording of the webinar.
Click here to view the slides.

Learning Objectives:

  • Define labor and sex trafficking of adults and youth and the role of health care and public health professionals in responding to this human rights abuse.
  • Identify indicators for trafficking among patients, including risk factors, signs, and symptoms.
  • Describe three specific approaches that health professionals can take to respond to potentially trafficked patients and to develop effective, collaborative prevention and community response strategies to labor and sex trafficking of adults and youth.

Speakers:

Susie Baldwin, MD, MPH
Associate Medical Director,  Sexually Transmitted Disease Controller,
Division of HIV and STD Programs,
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
President, Board of Directors,
HEAL Trafficking

Tonya Chaffee, MD, MPH
Clinical Professor, Department of Pediatrics
University of California San Francisco
Director of the Teen and Young Adult Health Center,
Medical Director CASARC
Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital
Co-chair, Education/Training Committee, HEAL

Jordan Greenbaum, MD
Stephanie V. Blank Center for Safe and Healthy Children,
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
Co-chair, Education/Training Committee, HEAL

HEAL_Trafficking_Logo_Print

1.5 CMEs are available for MD/DO participants of this webinar. CME Learners will need to fill out the evaluation at the end of the webinar in order to receive credit.

This webinar is co-sponsored by HEAL Trafficking. This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of Futures Without Violence and HEAL. The Futures Without Violence is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Overview of Nonprofit Digital Strategy

Posted by Kyle Coleman

Title: Overview of Nonprofit Digital Strategy

Date: Tuesday, May 31st, 2016, 10:00-11:30 am PST

Description:

These days, constituents and funders expect the organizations they support to have a digital presence—whether it’s on Twitter, email, or an easy-to-navigate website. Creating a cohesive, well-managed digital communications strategy can make or break your fundraising, advocacy, and volunteer-recruitment efforts. This 90-minute webinar will walk through the basics of digital communication strategy, and offers tips and tools for DV/SV service providers of all sizes and budgets. The webinar will begin with a presentation by Media Cause, outlining the basics of managing your organization’s digital presence—including social media, email, digital fundraising, and website management. The presentation will be followed by a discussion with Director of Communications Marsha Robertson from Futures Without Violence and We R Native (Program of Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board) about how they’ve leveraged digital strategies to reach their organizational goals. The webinar will close with a question and answer session during which participants will be invited to share their questions and experiences.

Presenters:

  • Kristy Kosak, Senior Account Manager, Media Cause
  • Sarah Potts, Director of Digital Strategy, Media Cause
  • Marsha Robertson, Director of Communications, Futures Without Violence
  • Thomas Lee Ghost Dog Jr., Project Assistant, We R Native (Program of Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board)
  • David Stephens, Multimedia Project Specialist, We R Native (Program of Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board)

Who is really paying for a $10.00 manicure?

Posted by support fwv

When I see signs advertising “$10.00 manicures,” my alarm bells go off. And they should for you, too. Recent revelations of the mistreatment of manicurists in major urban centers show that nail salons keep prices as low as $10.00 by shoving the burden of their untenable business models onto the backs of an abused and impoverished workforce, comprised primarily of Asian and Latina women.

In particular, exposés of the mistreatment of New York City’s cadre of manicurists are bubbling over. On May 9, 2015, The New York Times reported on the wage exploitation, overtime violations, physical abuse, and toxic working conditions harming thousands of New York’s manicurists. FUTURES’ Esta Soler responded to this story with a Letter to the Editor, writing:

“The majority of low-wage workers are women, many of whom put up with unsafe conditions to keep their jobs or stay in abusive relationships because they lack the economic security to leave. And tipped workers, like those in nail salons, report wages so low that even with tips included they don’t come close to minimum wage.”

This morning, NBC’s Today aired a report by Ronan Farrow, where he followed sting operations conducted by the New York state investigators and revealed severe violations of minimum wage laws, rampant wage and overtime theft, and worker exposure to harmful chemicals leading to serious negative long-term health consequences.

We applaud efforts to address the wage and overtime abuses common to the nail salon industry, such as New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s order forcing 143 nail salons to pay workers $2 million in unpaid wages and damages. However, we seek to create safe and resilient workplaces for manicurists, as well as for all low-wage and tipped workers, beyond returning stolen wages. In addition to calling for living wages for all workers, especially those who rely on tips, FUTURES’ Workplaces Respond initiative engages in collaborations to systemically improve worker conditions by helping employers create and implement policies that prevent and respond to abuses at the workplace, and provide support for low-wage workers who are particularly vulnerable to violence and exploitation.

Although these exposés focus on unfair wage practices and unsafe conditions, we believe that complete workplace safety occurs when workers have the resources they need to move towards a safer and healthier future – like a living wage, sick and safe leave, and workplace policies that prevent and provide support and resources for workers experiencing violence and exploitation, whether at home or on the job.

When I walk down the street in D.C. and see those signs in the windows, I look past the sign to see the workers. It’s clear they need more than fair wages. They need to be able to rely on their employers to provide a safe, healthy place to work. They need resources to be able to report and escape exploitation and violence.

In all industries, it’s the customers who have the greatest power to stem the tide of worker exploitation and abuse. In the case of nail salons, “$10.00 manicures” are in fact too good to be true. Customers aren’t getting a great deal; they are contributing to the exploitation of these vulnerable workers.

For the sake of the well-being of those who work so hard to help us look our best, let’s give them good service as well. We hope that advertisements like this will encourage customers to take their business elsewhere, and seek out safe nail salons that also properly compensate their workers.

Measuring Trauma-Informed Practice: Tools for Organizations

Posted by Mie Fukuda

Title: Measuring Trauma-Informed Practice: Tools for Organizations

Date Recorded: May 25, 2016

Unfortunately this webinar does not have a video recording.

 

 

Description: Given the high rates of trauma exposure in the general population, health and human service providers recognize the need to integrate trauma-informed practice (TIP) into their work. Trauma-informed practice supports, empowers, and respects service users and staff, and prioritizes the voices of program participants in all levels of the organization. As organizations move toward becoming more trauma-informed, they need ways to measure their progress in implementing trauma-informed principles and practices.  Until recently, few tools existed to support them in doing so.  This is an enormous gap, limiting organizations’ capacity to learn and grow or to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses.  This webinar will highlight two empirically supported measures of trauma-informed practice.

Learning Objectives:

After this training, participants will be better able to:

  • Describe the domains of trauma-informed practice measures in the TICOMETER and TIP
  • Administer the TICOMETER and TIP

Presenters:

Rachel E. Latta, Ph.D.

Director of Trauma and Violence Prevention, Center for Social Innovation

Facilitated by:

Jennifer Rose, Consultant, Futures Without Violence

Questions? Please contact Mie Fukuda at mfukuda@futureswithoutviolence.org

This project was supported by Grant No. 2011-MU-MU-K011 awarded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Points of view in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official positions or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Labor Trafficking and the Intersection with Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

Posted by support fwv

Labor Trafficking and the Intersection with Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

Date: May 17th, 2016, 11:00-12:30pm PST

View the recording
Download the slides

Description:

This webinar provides an introductory overview of labor trafficking, explores the intersection with domestic violence and sexual assault, and identifies protections and services available to domestic violence and sexual assault survivors of labor trafficking.

Learning Objectives:

  • Define labor trafficking and recognize the importance of multidisciplinary collaborations in assisting labor trafficking survivors.
  • Recognize similarities and intersections between labor trafficking, sexual assault, and domestic violence

Speakers: Maria Jose Fletcher, VIDA Legal Assistance and Perla Flores, Community Solutions

FUTURES Wins Webby Award for That’s Not Cool Website

Posted by Kyle Coleman

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT:
Marsha Robertson, Futures Without Violence
mrobertson@futureswithoutviolence.org
415.678.5617

Futures Without Violence Wins Webby Award for That’s Not Cool Website

San Francisco-based nonprofit receives the ‘Internet’s highest honor’ for their work to end teen dating violence and digital abuse

SAN FRANCISCO (April 27, 2016) – Futures Without Violence (FUTURES) announced today that it received its first Webby Award for That’s Not Cool, a website aimed at preventing teen dating violence and digital abuse. That’s Not Cool was awarded best website in the charitable organization/nonprofit category and is honored among other Webby winners including Lena Dunham and Jenni Konner of Lenny Letter, Jessica Alba of Honest Company, and Opal Tometi and Alicia Garza of the #BlackLivesMatter movement. Hailed as the “Internet’s highest honor” by The New York Times, The Webby Awards is the leading international award highlighting excellence on the Internet.

“FUTURES has set the standard for innovation and creativity on the Internet,” said David-Michel Davies, Executive Director of The Webby Awards. “This award is a testament to the skill, ingenuity, and vision of its creators.”

That’s Not Cool is an award-wining national public education campaign managed by FUTURES to engage young people online around healthy relationships and the prevention of digital abuse. The program is founded on the belief that young people must lead the way in creating lasting change—online, in their schools, and in their communities. That’s Not Cool strives to elevate the voices of the most marginalized communities of youth including (but not limited to) LGBTQI youth, Native youth, and youth of color. Through the program, FUTURES provides youth leaders with the tools, training, and support they need to bring localized violence prevention public education campaigns to their communities.

“We’re truly honored to receive our fist Webby Award for digital excellence,” said Esta Soler, President and Founder of FUTURES. “We hope that the website will continue to increase exposure about teen dating violence and promote positive solutions in the community.”

FUTURES will be honored for That’s Not Cool at the star-studded Webby Awards ceremony on Monday May 16, 2016 at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City. A full list of both The Webby Awards and Webby People’s Voice Winners can be found at webbyawards.com/winners.

About 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.

 

About The Webby Awards:
Hailed as the “Internet’s highest honor” by The New York Times, The Webby Awards is the leading international award honoring excellence on the Internet, including Websites, Advertising & Media, Online Film & Video, Mobile Sites & Apps and Social. Established in 1996, The Webby Awards received nearly 13,000 entries from all 50 states and over 70 countries worldwide this year. The Webby Awards is presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS). Sponsors and Partners of The Webby Awards include: Xfinity, SeeSo, Google, Vitamin T, YouTube, Adformatie, Advertising Age, Code and Theory, Cool Hunting, Creativepool, Digiday, FITC, Internet Week New York, It’s Nice That, Mashable, Mobile Marketing Association, Moleskine, Ninja Marketing, Northside Festival, NUMA, Social Media Week, SoDA, Springwise, Taste Talks, The Drum, The Guardian News Media, The Hollywood Reporter, Tube Filter and VentureBeat.

 

Addressing and Responding to Domestic and Sexual Violence in Healthcare Settings

Posted by Anisa Ali

Title: Addressing and Responding to Domestic and Sexual Violence in Healthcare Settings

Date: Wednesday May 4th, 2016, 12:30-2:00pm PST

View the recording.

Download the slides.

Description:

There is substantial research describing the dynamics and effects of domestic and sexual violence (D/SV) and co-morbid health and behavioral health conditions for women. Health care visits provide a window of opportunity to provide universal education on healthy relationships, assess patients for D/SV, and intervene if abuse is identified.  Just talking to a healthcare provider about domestic violence can increase access to domestic violence services, improve health outcomes, and decrease risk for violence.  The purpose of this webinar is to provide clinicians with information about a simple tool for education and assessment for D/SV in a primary care or reproductive health setting.  Providers can help women make the connection between her relationship and health outcomes for herself and her children and by offering a supportive referral to a local domestic violence agency when abuse is disclosed.

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand the importance of DV/health partnerships.
  • Understand recent health policy changes that present new funding opportunities for DV advocacy organizations.
  • Describe new tools and strategies for domestic violence advocates to build sustainable partnerships with health care settings

Speaker: Anna Marjavi (Program Director, Futures Without Violence), Rebecca Levenson (Consultant, Futures Without Violence)

2015 Executive Report

Posted by Kyle Coleman

The 2015 Executive Report outlines our program and policy highlights, as well as milestones and achievements over the past thirty-five years. Thank you to the mandy dedicated individuals, foundations, and corporations for standing with us to establish the Futures Without Violence Endowment Fund and the Center for Leadership and Action.

Download (PDF, Unknown)

Paving the way for change on Worker’s Memorial Day

Posted by Kyle Coleman

Today is Worker’s Memorial Day, and here at FUTURES we’re joining the labor movement in honoring workers who have been killed or injured on the job. We cannot allow their voices to be drowned out; we must stand in solidarity to fight for both safe work environments and the creation of resilient workplace communities that prevent and respond to violence.

We spend more time working than any other waking activity.

And with millions of women experiencing domestic violence, sexual violence, harassment, and stalking each year, the workplace can be a critical juncture for responding to gender-based violence and building systems that help protect victims and survivors of abuse.

Low-wage workers, immigrants, and workers in non-traditional environments are particularly vulnerable to exploitative and coercive sexual violence incidents. Many workers receive inadequate information about their rights; feel reluctant to speak up for fear of losing their jobs; or lack the financial security that allows them to take time off from work to seek legal recourse or recover from injuries.

Additionally, many low-wage workers— such as those who work in the restaurant or service industries—rely on tips to earn a living, thus making them especially vulnerable to exploitation from customers. In order to earn the money necessary to support themselves and their families, tipped workers are often forced to endure sexual harassment in order to please their customers, or advances from supervisors to keep favorable shifts.

The lack of any paid leave and other vital support structures limits any recourse to incidents of domestic violence, sexual violence, and stalking experienced by these workers, whether it be home or at the job. No woman should have to choose between her personal safety and supporting herself and her family.

Prevention of violence against women in the workplace requires a broad-based cultural shift.

Employers, industry leaders, and business associations must strategize and work together with labor unions, anti-violence advocates and workers’ rights organizations to develop compassionate, proactive responses to workplace violence that empower all workers regardless of their gender, wages, or immigration status.

These guiding principles are the foundation of our Low Wage, High Risk pilot project which works collaboratively with worker and community associations, employers, and leading anti-violence advocates to develop and promote replicable promising practices that prevent and respond to gender-based violence.

FUTURES stands with the labor movement because the fight for fair wages and other protections is inextricably linked to the fight for safety for all workers. Resilient workplace communities are safe zones of strength and recovery. On this Workers Memorial Day, let’s stand in memory of those killed and harmed on the job, stand in compassion with survivors of violence, and stand in advocacy for vulnerable workers who deserve protection.

 

Assembling the Pieces: Tools to Build an Effective Board

Posted by Kyle Coleman

Title: Assembling the Pieces: Tools to Build an Effective Board

Date: Tuesday, April 26th, 2016, 10:00-11:30 am PST

Description:

The Board of Directors plays an important role in organizational success and this 90 minute webinar provides a 7-step approach to building and sustaining an impactful Board of Directors. Best practices for recruiting, ongoing board engagement, along with skills-building in fundraising, establishing a plan of work, staff/board communications, term limits, and orientation are a few topics to be covered!

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

  1. Identify key strategies and best practices to build an effective board of directors.
  2. Develop actionable strategies for retaining and effective board of directors.

Presenters:

  • Amy Sanchez, Chief Executive Officer at Break the Cycle
  • Isabel Rubio, Executive Director at Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama (¡HICA!)
  • Mónica Arenas, Senior Program Specialist at Futures Without Violence

Sexual assault can happen in relationships, too.

Posted by support fwv

April is Sexual Assault Awareness month, a nationally recognized effort to draw attention to the fact that one in five women and one in fifty-nine men will experience sexual assault in their lifetimes.

We often equate romantic relationships with consent — leading to the common misconception that sexual abuse cannot happen between individuals in dating relationships and marriages. But this is far from the truth. In fact, over the past two decades, there has been a growing body of research drawing the connection between relationship violence and poor reproductive outcomes for women — including unintended pregnancies, HIV and AIDS, and serious injury.

The symptoms and signs of this type of relationship abuse are often hidden from plain sight. To maintain power and control in the relationship, abusers may use reproductive and sexual coercion to interfere with their partner’s reproductive health, resulting in hidden and often undetected forms of victimization.

To address this widespread issue, FUTURES Without Violence is working with partners across the nation, including La Clínica del Pueblo (La Clínica) in Washington, DC, to train their providers to discuss domestic and sexual violence, promote healthy relationships, and improve health and safety outcomes for all of their clients.

La Clínica primarily serves low-income individuals and families. One of those clients is “Maria,” a 34-year-old mother of four and immigrant from El Salvador. While answering questions during a pregnancy follow-up visit, Maria disclosed to her provider that none of her pregnancies had been planned and that she was experiencing relationship problems with her partner.

Upon hearing this, a red flag went up, and her provider immediately offered to connect Maria to La Clínica’s onsite domestic violence program, Entre Amigas (Between Girlfriends). Maria revealed that her partner was physically abusive and unfaithful and frequently forced her to have sex. She endured this behavior for more than 14 years. She had tried to leave her partner more than once, but his threats to her and her children ― followed by physical and sexual abuse ― forced her to stay.

The staff at La Clínica worked with Maria to create a personal safety plan that allowed her to take control of her reproductive health and not put her or her children at risk. Over time, Maria made the bold decision to leave her husband. Today, she and her children live free from abuse thanks to the providers at La Clínica.

How do you know if you may be experiencing abuse?

Ask yourself:

  • Does my partner make me have sex when I don’t want to?
  • Does my partner mess with my birth control or try to get me pregnant when I don’t want to be?
  • Does my partner refuse to use condoms when I ask? Am I afraid to ask my partner to use condoms?
  • Does my partner tell me whom I can talk to or where I can go?
  • Am I afraid my partner would hurt me if I told him I had a sexually transmitted infection and he needed to be treated, too?
  • Has my partner made me afraid or physically hurt me?

If you answered YES to any of these questions, you are not alone. It’s important to seek help either from a health care provider or an advocate.

Under the Affordable Care Act, new health plans must reimburse health care providers for domestic violence screening and counseling as part of preventive health care services at no additional cost to you. Check out this brochure for tips on talking to your health care provider about your concerns. Additionally, well-trained advocates can be reached confidentially at the National Domestic Violence Hotline 24/7 by calling 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE).

Action Plans for Parents, Students, and Alumni

Posted by support fwv

Action Plan for Parents: Preventing College Sexual Assault

Action_Plan_for_ParentsAn estimated one in five women will be the victim of sexual assault during her college years. The problem can only be solved when policy makers, schools, activists, parents, survivors, and students work together to make sexual violence completely unacceptable on and off campus.

This action plan outlines ways parents can help protect their children from sexual assault on campus—from asking the right questions when looking at colleges to tactfully talking to your child about the important issue of sexual violence.

Download the PDF now!

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Action Plan for Students: Preventing College Sexual Assault

Action_Plan_for_StudentsAn estimated one in five women will be the victim of sexual assault during her college years. The problem can only be solved when policy makers, schools, activists, parents, survivors, and students work together to make sexual violence completely unacceptable on and off campus.

This action plan outlines ways that students can take action to prevent sexual assault on their campus—from building a supportive network of student activists to drawing attention to the issue on social media.

Download the PDF now!

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Action Plan for Alumni: Preventing College Sexual Assault

Action_Plan_for_AlumniAn estimated one in five women will be the victim of sexual assault during her college years. The problem can only be solved when policy makers, schools, activists, parents, survivors, and students work together to make sexual violence completely unacceptable on and off campus.

This action plan outlines ways alumni can take action to prevent sexual assault at their alma mater—from arming yourself with knowledge to asking the right questions before sending in that donation check.

Download the PDF now!
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Linking the Security of Women and the Security of States

Posted by Kyle Coleman

Linking the Security of Women and the Security of the States

On April 27, Futures Without Violence and Open Square are hosting an event called Linking the Security of Women and the Security of States, a working laboratory that will explore the relationship between gender-based violence and violent extremism.

This Washington D.C. event will convene experts and leaders from a wide array of sectors— including security, science, policy and advocacy, among others. The program will address:

  • the relationship between violent extremism, gender-based violence and child trauma,
  • how extremist groups use gender-based violence and gender dynamics in their strategy and operations, and
  • how a better understanding of the impact of trauma can improve interventions to disrupt recruitment to violent extremist groups and enhance the security of states

This gathering is over capacity and participant registration is now closed.

Event Logistics

When:
Wednesday, April 27th

Where:
The Elliott School of International Affairs
The George Washington University
1957 E Street N.W., 7th Floor
Washington D.C. 20052

Agenda:
8:15 to 9:00 Registration and Breakfast
9:00 to 5:00 Program and Discussion, including Lunch and Refreshments
5:00 to 6:00 Reception and Additional Networking

View the full agenda.

Select articles and publications can be viewed here. 

Thank you to our Partners

Futures Without Violence is grateful for the generous support and collaboration with Open Square to make this gathering possible and for the partners featured below. If you have any questions, please contact Wendy Gutierrez at 202-595-7382 or wgutierrez@futureswithoutviolence.org.

FUTURES
Open Square logo
Open Square 2016 Logos

 

Reports and Articles about Global Gender-based Violence

Posted by support fwv

Publications

IslamicStateCover

The Brookings Institution
From Paper State to Caliphate: The Ideology of the Islamic State
The Brookings Institution 2015

 

 

 

 

AMansWorldCover

Global Center on Cooperative Security
A Man’s World?: Exploring the Roles of Women in Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism
Global Center on Cooperative Security 2016

 

 

 

 

YourFatwaYour Fatwa Does Not Apply Here: Untold Stories from the Fight against Muslim Fundamentalism
Karima Bennoune 2014

 

 

 

 

Articles

Boko Haram is Enslaving Women, Making them Join the War
Newsweek 2015

Countering Violence Extremism Means Countering Gender Inequality
War on the Rocks 2015

Debunking Stereotypes: Which Women Matter in the Fight Against Extremism?
International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN) Inter Press Service 2016

Dispatches: Protect Lives, Not Just Territory, Against Attacks
Human Rights Watch 2016

Has Anyone Here Been Raped by ISIS? The public’s interest in knowing explicit details of sexual violence must not outweigh these victims’ urgent need for safety and privacy.
The Daily Beast 2015

Mass Grave of ‘Yazidi women executed by ISIS’ Found in Iraq
Al Arabiya 2015

Survivors of ISIS in Iraqi Kurdistan
SEED 2016

United Nations Security Council Resolutions

UNSCR 1325

UNSCR 2122

UNSCR 2242

UNSCR 2250

 

Film

Weapon of War: Confessions of Rape In Congo
WEAPON OF WAR, an award-winning film honored by Amnesty International, journeys to the heart of this crisis, where we meet its perpetrators. In personal interviews, soldiers and former combatants provide open hearted but shocking testimony about rape in the DRC. Despite differing views on causes or criminal status, all reveal how years of conflict, as well as discrimination against women, have normalized brutal sexual violence. We also see former rapists struggling to change their own or others’ behavior, and reintegrate into their communities.

Secretary of State John Kerry Announces Launch of U.S. Global Strategy to Empower Adolescent Girls

Posted by Kyle Coleman

On Tuesday, March 16th 2016 Secretary of State John Kerry announced the launch of the U.S. Global Strategy to Empower Adolescent Girls (Strategy) at the Department of State, demonstrating the Administration’s commitment to place gender equality and the advancement of women and girls at the forefront of U.S. foreign policy.

The Strategy aims to ensure that adolescent girls across the globe are educated, healthy, economically- and socially-empowered, and free from violence and discrimination. It underscores the belief that when women are allowed to reach their full potential, their meaningful contributions to the world will lead to global development, security, and prosperity. The strategy calls for a concerted, whole-of-government effort which will aim to promote girls’ rights and address the social norms that devalue girls, discourage their education, and perpetuate practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation or cutting.

In summary, the Strategy will advance five key objectives:

  • Enhancing girls’ access to quality education in safe environments;
  • Providing economic opportunities and incentives for girls and their families;
  • Empowering girls with information, skills, services, and support;
  • Mobilizing and educating communities to change harmful norms and practices;
  • Strengthening policy and legal frameworks and accountability.

As an active member of the Girls Not Brides Coalition, FUTURES will be regularly engaged in the process of collaborating and informing the US Government on the Strategy and monitor its implementation.

Speaking out against sexual assault through Mudderella!

Posted by support fwv

As many of you know, April is a very important month for advocates against sexual violence prevention. It’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month—a nationally-recognized initiative to draw attention to the fact that one in four women in our country will experience abuse in her lifetime.

Hi, my name is Juliette, and I’m a former FUTURES intern, a current student at Connecticut College, and a student advocate for sexual violence prevention. At Connecticut College, we use a program called Green Dot, which teaches students easy bystander intervention tools to intervene in potentially problematic or dangerous situations.

It’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month—a nationally-recognized initiative to draw attention to the fact that one in four women in our country will experience abuse in her lifetime.

In 2015, after talking to FUTURES about their incredible partnership with Mudderella, a group of Connecticut College students, staff, and alumni involved in the Green Dot program created a team. We had a blast creating team tank tops to wear for the race, as well as bracelets with our program’s social media information. Running Mudderella was a wonderful way to bond as a group, support the important work of FUTURES and spreading our message of campus sexual assault awareness. I’m proud to say that participating in Mudderella was one of the most exciting and meaningful experiences of my college career.

Juliette and her Mudderella team When I reflect back on my Mudderella experience, one part, in particular, resonates with me the most. Before the race began, the first group of Mudderellas gathered together for a warm-up. As we walked up to the starting point, FUTURES staff handed out bracelets of different colors. The warm-up leader explained that some runners received orange bracelets, but the majority received green. We were asked to raise our hands if we were wearing an orange bracelet; we represented the 25 percent of women—the one in four—who will be affected by sexual assault or domestic violence in our lifetime.

Running Mudderella was a wonderful way to bond as a group, support the important work of FUTURES and spreading our message of campus sexual assault awareness. I’m proud to say that participating in Mudderella was one of the most exciting and meaningful experiences of my college career.

The statistic is horrifying, but seeing the number of hands raised in the mass of people was unsettling and resonated with our team. It was an incredibly powerful moment that reminded everyone that we were not just doing this for ourselves, we were doing this for women everywhere.

Doing Mudderella alongside so many extraordinary women from different backgrounds was empowering, and a testament to the power, resiliency, and strength of women and girls. As a college student and an advocate, participating in Mudderella was the perfect avenue for staying active and engaging with these issues in a new and fun way, while meeting people with inspirational stories.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month presents an opportunity for each of us to make a positive impact however we can. I am proud to say I am part of a group of women that take action against injustice; that care about violence prevention and the eradication of intimate partner violence; that own their strong.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month presents an opportunity for each of us to make a positive impact however we can.

I look forward to conquering the New England obstacles with my team again this year and hope to see you in the mud!

Juliette Verrengia headshotJuliette Verrengia is a former FUTURES intern, student at Connecticut College, and student advocate for sexual violence prevention.

When it comes to ending college sexual assault, we ALL need to be leaders

Posted by Kyle Coleman

Last month, I had the opportunity to join the ten other FUTURES Campus Leaders for a meeting at the White House with members of the White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault (Task Force). Launched in January 2014, the Task Force’s goal is to “help schools live up to their obligation to protect students from sexual violence.” As someone who has been working in the field of sexual violence prevention for the past seven years, and as a current master’s student in UC Berkeley’s School of Social Welfare, it was an incredibly thrilling experience to meet with the federal officials charged with ending such
violence once and for all.

While the members of the Task Force have great expertise and influence, I’ve learned that it takes leadership at every level to create sustainable change. As I sat
in the meeting room in the White House’s Eisenhower Executive Office Building, I was particularly impressed with the work each of my fellow Campus Leaders has been doing in their community. From awareness campaigns and peer education to campus policy advocacy and staff training, each leader offered a critical perspective into how to create safer campus communities.

“While the members of the Task Force have great expertise and influence, I’ve learned that it takes leadership at every level to create sustainable change.”

The significance of leadership across all levels was highlighted for me when I returned to Berkeley in the days following the Task Force meeting. The university has been trying to address a recent flood of allegations that involve a lack of consistency when it comes to holding faculty and staff accountable when they harass or assault students and colleagues. While this is not a new issue for the school (in fact, the University of California formed its own system-wide task force in the summer of 2014 to address sexual assault on all of its ten campuses), students and community members have been speaking up more than ever before.

 

“Perhaps most important, we need to keep saying to everyone out there who has ever been assaulted: you are not alone. We have your back. I’ve got your back.”

-President Barack Obama, January 22, 2014

 

We are at a critical juncture when it comes to preventing sexual violence on college campuses. Those of us who have been on the ground doing the work have felt this movement building for some time. People who are new to the issue are often simultaneously shocked by the prevalence of sexual assault and eager to jump in and do their part to create change. And, all the while, more survivors are bravely contributing in any way they can―from taking care of themselves and getting support, to widely sharing their stories.

“We need everyone on campus—undergraduates, graduate students, faculty, staff, administrators—and everyone who cares about the campus community—prospective college students, parents of students, alumnae, legislators—to stand together.”

It’s time for us to acknowledge the power of leadership coming from every level. As exciting as it is to join other student leaders in meeting with the White House Task Force, it’s far from enough. We need everyone on campus—undergraduates, graduate students, faculty, staff, administrators—and everyone who cares about the campus community—prospective college students, parents of students, alumnae, legislators—to  stand together. Each and every member of a college campus community deserves safety and respect, and it’s on us to hold schools accountable until it happens.

Elizabeth Wilmerding HeadshotElizabeth Wilmerding is currently a first-year master’s student in UC Berkeley’s School of Social Welfare. She has a background in the prevention of sexual assault, domestic violence, and suicidality. Elizabeth lives in Oakland, CA.

 

FUTURES Hosts Congressional Briefing on Gender-based Violence in Humanitarian Settings

Posted by Kyle Coleman

On March 24, 2016, as part of Women’s History Month and in partnership with Congressman Mike Honda (CA-17), FUTURES hosted a briefing on capital hill to shed light on the increased vulnerabilities faced by women and girls in humanitarian settings.  Amnesty International USA, CARE USA and Women Thrive Worldwide also served as partners in this event, representing the leadership team of the Gender-Based Violence Coalition.

As the sponsor of this timely program, Congressman Honda shared the following message:

“Gender-based violence (GBV) is a global scourge, and it is imperative that we do more to help the most vulnerable people in our society and across the world. In times of peace and in times of conflict, in every country in every region, gender-based violence exists and flies under the radar. It is scandalous that so few resources are directed towards GBV. GBV must be a priority from the beginning, across all sectors and agencies. Existing guidelines must be respected and actors held accountable if they fail to meet international standards. Combating GBV has long been my Representative Mike Hondapriority. Last year I was proud to co-find the International Parliamentary Coalition for Victims of Sexual Slavery to promote cooperation among parliamentarians in raising domestic and international awareness about modern day slavery. As Ranking Member of the Commerce, Justice and Science Subcommittee, on the House Appropriations Committee, I am proud to fight for the necessary resources to combat GBV, here in our nation and abroad. For instance, for Fiscal Year 2016, I secured $480 million for the Office on Violence against Women, and $45 million for human trafficking victim services. It has been an honor to work with Futures Without Violence and Women Thrive to host this timely, and sadly all too necessary, briefing to raise awareness and discuss potential solutions. Working together, we can eradicate the horror of gender-based violence.”

It’s estimated that 35 percent of women worldwide have experienced physical or sexual violence at some point in their lives. In particular, during times of conflict or natural disaster, women and children are disproportionately vulnerable to violence and abuse from both within their family and outside actors. Internally, the volatility of a family setting is increased by displacement, stress, changing roles, and new challenges; externally, opportunistic predators and a lack of safe infrastructure facilitate the creation of a hunting ground for violent extremists and human traffickers. These complex issues need careful examination and consideration of potential solutions.

Panel of experts at GBV in humanitarian settings congressional briefingThe March 24th event provided an opportunity to identify the drivers of the increased vulnerabilities and outline possible solutions to decreasing and addressing these vulnerabilities.  Janine Kossen, Senior Policy and Advocacy Officer at International Rescue Committee opened the program by sharing some very sobering and compelling facts, maintaining that “in fragile and conflict-affected states, violence is one of the most significant threats to women’s safety and wellbeing,” and that during war and natural disasters, “women are far more likely than men to die, face increased risk of violence, not receive necessary health care, and  experience ongoing economic vulnerability.”  Speaking to the congressional staffers and policy advocates present in the audience, Kossen proposed series of solutions and recommendations which included the need for increased funding dedicated to GBV, prioritization of specialized and mainstreamed GBV programming, and support for Call to Action on Protection from GBV in Emergencies, Safe from the Start, International Violence Against Women Act, USG strategies, National Action Plan on Women Peace and Security, and engagement of women and girls directly.

 

Recommendations for preventing gender-based violence in humanitarian settings:

  • Community-based facilitation of access to state-provided social protection schemes for earthquake-affected populations enhances actual access and resilience.
  • Quickly reviving and strengthening local mechanisms such as village child protection committees and enabling these committees to take collective actions has positive outcomes.
  • It is vital to integrate protection activities across all of the cluster activities (e.g. water, shelter, education, etc.) in order to detect problems and intervene. All cluster interventions should use a protection checklist.

 

 

Farhana Qazi, a counter-terrorism expert and researcher on women in conflict, and the author of Secrets of the Kashmir Valley, spoke about how extremist groups use conflict settings or humanitarian crises as potential recruiting grounds for women to join their movement and engage in violent crusades.  She highlighted the limited understanding of how and why women and girls may want to join such movements and where our policies have failed to recognize the signs and drivers for their recruitment.

Finally, Karen Stauss, Director of Programs for Free the Slaves, shared the latest joint report and publication entitled Understanding Vulnerabilities and Strengthening Response: Community-based Integration of Anti-trafficking and Human Rights Protections within Post-Earthquake Recovery Efforts.  The study found that post earthquake conditions posed unique threats to the survivors in communities and maintained that the erosion of social networks and lack of public assistance made children, women and marginalized groups even more at risk. The report raised the growing concern that thousands who lost their homes and assets have become targets of human traffickers. Additionally, it was observed that earthquake survivors faced higher threats of physical abuse, exploitation and sexual violence.  Inadequate relief supplies, unsafe shelters, uncertain futures, delayed processing of government recovery assistance and the lack of information on relief services were all contributing factors to the increased vulnerabilities.  The report determined that resulting desperation and unrestricted access to the affected populations offered an opportunity for organized traffickers.  Stauss highlighted a few of the recommendations informed by the research and learnings in the field.

Kiersten Stewart, Director of Public Policy and Advocacy at Futures Without Violence, moderated the event and highlighted the importance of first identifying the drivers of these vulnerabilities and second developing sustainable and holistic strategies which both address the root causes of the vulnerabilities and effectively respond and put in place structures and programs that serve to inoculate the survivors of these conflicts and natural disasters from further abuse and violence.  The compelling and overarching message from the briefing was the unified and constant call for humanitarian actors/sectors to see GBV as part of their mandate and the need for increased resources.

We need YOUR help to win a Webby!

Posted by Kyle Coleman

We’re thrilled to announce that FUTURES has been nominated for a Webby Award for That’s Not Cool―our teen dating violence prevention initiative!

The Webby Awards is the leading international award honoring excellence on the Internet. It has even been dubbed the Academy Awards for the web. This year, the Webbys received over 13,000 entries from across the globe―and we have been chosen as one of five organizations in our category. Needless to say, we’re very excited and truly honored!

Vote today to help us win the People Voice Award!

Screenshot Webby

Winning a Webby would help shine a light on the issue of teen dating violence, and the work FUTURES is doing to help teens across the country identify and prevent abuse. With 1 in 4 teens being abused using technology, the need for a program and website like ‘That’s Not Cool’ is more important than ever. This is an incredible opportunity to raise awareness about this important issue.

We need your help to make this happen—vote today!

Thank you for your generous support. Together, we can promote positive solutions to dating abuse!

Building Promising Futures: Guidelines and Outcome Measures for Enhancing Response of Domestic Violence Programs to Children & Youth

Posted by Mie Fukuda

Title: Building Futures: Guidelines and Outcome Measures for Enhancing Response of Domestic Violence Programs to Children & Youth

Date Recorded: April 19, 2016

This is the second webinar of a webinar series on how domestic violence programs can enhance their work with survivors of domestic violence and their children by using evidence-based and promising practices. For the webinar series flyer, click here.

Description: This webinar will explore two areas of program development. First, presenters will present guidelines for consideration to improve the services to and success of the major complexities involved in developing and utilizing outcomes measures for DV programs’ work with children. Two new resources will be shared –1. Building Promising Futures: Guidelines for Enhancing Response of DV Programs to Children & Youth 2. Developing Outcome Measures for DV Programs’ Work with Children & Youth.

Learning Objectives:

  • Describe basic principles underlying building programs for children & youth.
  • Understand the elements of the process of program development.
  • Understand issues involved in developing outcomes measures for children and youth.

Presenters:

Eleanor Lyon, Institute for Violence Prevention and Reduction

Anne Menard, National Resource Center on Domestic Violence

Questions? Please contact Mie Fukuda at mfukuda@futureswithoutviolence.org.

 

 

Reimbursement and Payment Strategies for DV/Health Partnerships Webinar

Posted by kvandertuig

Title: Reimbursement and Payment Strategies for DV/Health Partnerships

Date: Thursday, April 14th at 11-12:30pm Pacific, 1-2:30pm Central, 2-3:30pm Eastern

View the recording.

Download the slides.

Webinar chat and post-webinar follow up notes

Description:

This is a time of tremendous change in how health care is delivered in this country. Federal health policy, including the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and recent mental health parity legislation, is rapidly transforming the health care sector. For many survivors of domestic violence, affordable coverage is now in reach. Mandated, comprehensive benefit packages include a full range of health services for women, including screening and brief counseling for domestic and interpersonal violence. These changes in health care delivery make the time right for domestic and sexual violence programs to partner with health care providers. This webinar will help domestic and sexual violence (DSV) advocates understand the evolving health care landscape and make strategic choices as they decide whether and how to partner with health care providers in order to promote sustainability and collaboration.

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand the importance of DV/health partnerships.
  • Understand recent health policy changes that present new funding opportunities for DV advocacy organizations.
  • Describe new tools and strategies for domestic violence advocates to build sustainable partnerships with health care settings

Speaker: Lena O’Rourke, O’Rourke Health Policy Strategies

Relevant materials:

California DV Advocates Guide to Partnering with Healthcare: Models for Reimbursement and Collaboration

Integrating Health Services into Domestic Violence Programs: A tool for advocates

Survivor Brochure: A Health Care Guide for Survivors of Domestic & Sexual Violence

The Affordable Care Act and Enrollment: What advocates need to know

Quality Assessment/Quality Improvement Tool for Domestic Violence Programs

Preventive Medicine Services Codes and Privacy Principles

 

Expanding Healthy Moms/Happy Babies: Spotlight on our New Young Mothers Safety Card

Posted by Mie Fukuda

Title: Expanding Healthy Mom/Happy Babies: Spotlight on our New Young Mothers Safety Card

Date Recorded: April 8, 2016

Description: Futures Without Violence is delighted to announce a new adolescent focused module for it’s recent 2nd edition of Healthy Mom’s Happy Babies (HMHB): A Train the Trainer Curriculum on Domestic Violence and Reproductive Coercion.

While the new module is part of a home visitation curriculum, it can support any program working with young mothers that hopes to help promote conversations about healthy and safe relationships and ones that are not, how abuse can affect health including substance abuse risks, and provides simple safety planning and hotline referrals. In addition to supporting provider’s conversations about relationships, the safety card also functions as an empowerment tool for teens.

After this training, participants will be better able to:

  • Identify two barriers to providers, including home visitors and others doing domestic violence assessment with clients.
  • Describe why universal education using the Young Mom Strong Kids (YMSK) safety card is important for helping clients experiencing domestic violence.
  • Understand why the YMSK safety card is an empowerment tool for youth

Presenters:

  • Heather Baeckel, MSW, Supervisor, Insights Teen Parent Services
  • Rebecca Levenson, MA, Consultant, Futures Without Violence
  • Erin Fairchild, MSW, Defending Childhood Initiative Coordinator, Multnomah County

Questions? Please contact Mie Fukuda at mfukuda@futureswithoutviolence.org.

 

This project was supported by Grant No. 2011-MU-MU-K011 awarded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Points of view in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official positions or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Building Promising Futures: Guidelines for Enhancing Response of Domestic Violence Programs to Children & Youth

Posted by Kyle Coleman

Building_Promising_Futures_Thumbnail_imageThis manual presents guidelines to improve the services to and success of children exposed to domestic violence. There is increasing evidence—both research-based and practice-based—of the strong relationship between the health and well-being of children and that of their protective parents or caretakers. Many domestic violence programs across the country have made great strides in focusing more attention on children and youth over the last 15 years, including those supported in 2005-2008 with funds generated by the Family Violence Stamp. However, others may require additional support and guidance to fully embrace and implement comprehensive and integrated approaches to working with children affected by violence within their families.

This manual is a companion to Developing Outcome Measures for Domestic Violence Programs’ Work with Children and Youth.

download button

 

Beyond Screening: A Patient-Centered Approach to Domestic Violence

Posted by Anisa Ali

Title: Beyond Screening: A Patient-Centered Approach to Domestic Violence

Date: April 4th, 2016 from 2:00-3:00 pm PT

Description: With the screening and brief counseling coverage requirements in the Affordable Care Act and the screening recommendations in the US Preventive Service Task Force, many are looking for the best evidence-based screening tool for domestic violence to use in health settings. However, research suggests that disclosure-based responses to domestic violence are limiting because they constrain our opportunities for prevention and limits education to only those who are ready to disclose and who have been screened appropriately. Additionally, in the quest for the right screening question, the intervention is often overlooked. This webinar offers an approach that incorporates universal education and direct inquiry as well as patient-centered brief interventions that are evidence based and easy to implement.

Learning Objectives:

  • Discuss the limitations of incorporating evidence-based screening tools without a plan for those who aren’t ready for disclosure or a plan for brief interventions for those who do.
  • Understand the role universal education can play in both prevention and intervention.
  • Understand the evidence behind a patient-centered and brochure-based intervention.

Speaker: Dr. Elizabeth Miller, Chief of Adolescent Medicine, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC

Listen to the recording here. (Please note that there was a technical error and the first 15 minutes of the presentation was cut off).
Access the slides here.

Click here to view upcoming and archived webinars!
.

Interested in learning more about a brochure-based universal education approach? Join leading experts in the field at our 2017 National Conference on Health and Domestic Violence!

 

Why we need to empower every girl across the globe

Posted by support fwv

When I look at my 11-year-old daughter, I see nothing but potential, dreams, and opportunities. I can’t wait for her to experience all that life has to offer, and in turn, for her to give back to her community and world. When I think about all of these opportunities, a smile appears on my face, and I am simply grateful.

But I know that this is not the reality for every girl across the globe. I often pause and wonder: what about the young girls who do not have the same opportunities and support? The 62 million girls who are not in school today. The girls whose path to success is littered with landmines like early and forced marriage, unintended pregnancies, trafficking, violence and abuse, and sexually-transmitted diseases—such as HIV/AIDS. For these girls, dreams of becoming a doctor, teacher, artist, engineer, or scientist seem like a treacherous journey.LeilasDaughter

The work that I do at FUTURES hits close to home for me. And my hope is reignited when I think about the work our organization is doing to advance the rights of women and girls worldwide. I am energized when I see the impact of our work, knowing that it will help women and girls reach their full social, economic, and political potential. For me, Tuesday, March 16th 2016 was one of those moments. This was the day that Secretary of State John Kerry announced the launch of the U.S. Global Strategy to Empower Adolescent Girls (Strategy) at the Department of State, demonstrating the Administration’s commitment to place gender equality and the advancement of women and girls at the forefront of U.S. foreign policy.

“We know that empowering girls, keeping them free from violence, and providing them with an education is one of the best ways to ensure that societies thrive. By working together as a community of nations, we can build a world in which girls are not treated as property, chattel, or spoils of war, but rather as individuals with their own voice, talents, and freedom to realize their potential and contribute to our collective humanity.” –Secretary of State John Kerry

The Strategy aims to ensure that adolescent girls across the globe are educated, healthy, economically- and socially-empowered, and free from violence and discrimination. It underscores the belief that when women are allowed to reach their full potential, their meaningful contributions to the world will lead to global development, security, and prosperity. The strategy calls for a concerted, whole-of-government effort which will aim to promote girls’ rights and address the social norms that devalue girls, discourage their education, and perpetuate practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation or cutting.

In summary, the Strategy will advance five key objectives:

  • Enhancing girls’ access to quality education in safe environments;
  • Providing economic opportunities and incentives for girls and their families;
  • Empowering girls with information, skills, services, and support;
  • Mobilizing and educating communities to change harmful norms and practices;
  • and strengthening policy and legal frameworks and accountability.

The announcement is welcomed and applauded by hundreds of advocates, organizations, and leaders, including FUTURES. As an active and engaged member of the Girls Not Brides USA coalition, we worked alongside over 500 like-minded organizations and advocates to push for a strategy focused on preventing gender-based violence across the globe and helping girls succeed.

WhatGirlsNotBrides’s ahead? Now FUTURES and our member partners of Girls Not Brides will carefully examine the Strategy and provide feedback and continued dialogue with the Administration. There is so much more to be done, but this is a big step in the right direction.

When I think about the work that we do at FUTURES, I’m re-invigorated with hope for every girl across the globe. The creation of safe spaces to learn, grow, and dream will not only empower these girls—it will also allow them to contribute to our collective humanity. I am once again optimistic about the future, and all the potential it holds.

Why I Participate in Mudderella

Posted by Kyle Coleman

Today’s guest blogger is Cindy Knight, a 2015 Mudderella participant and survivor of domestic violence.

Looking back on 2015, I can honestly say that my experience at Mudderella New England was definitely one of the highlights! Hi, my name is Cindy Knight from New Hampshire. As a fellow Cindy_KnightMudderella and survivor of domestic violence, this event was more than a mud run for me—it was a symbol of empowerment, teamwork, and resilience.

I’m also proud to say that my team was the top fundraiser at Mudderella New England 2015! And thanks to a matching donation from Speed Queen, I was able to bring in over $10,000 for FUTURES! The money raised supports their innovative programs that prevent and end domestic violence and sexual assault. They are the leaders in their field and I’m proud to support an organization that supports women who have been through what so many of us live through every day.

One in four women will experience abuse during her lifetime. Participating in Mudderella and raising money for FUTURES is my way of standing up to violence against women. It’s my way of giving a voice to the statistic. We’ve all been affected by domestic violence—whether you have a loved one, a friend who has experienced it, or you yourself is a survivor. How can you make a difference? Sign up for a 2016 Mudderella event today and start fundraising!

I’m so proud to be a Mudderella because this is the only event where we can come together to celebrate our strength and show the world what “Own Your Strong” means to us. Because of Mudderella’s partnership with FUTURES I feel empowered to stand up and say, “I am a survivor and I am not ashamed.”

I’m looking forward to 2016 and continuing my journey as a survivor and as a Mudderella. I hope you will join me so we can continue this tradition of women owning their strong and standing up to violence against women. In fact, FUTURES is offering an exclusive 20 percent off discount code for supporters.  Just sign up for your event and use the code MUDFWVCHARITY20 at check out.

Let’s raise awareness and funds to support violence prevention education programs so we can teach our children that violence doesn’t equal strength. Not only will you help support FUTURES’ programs and initiatives to prevent violence against women, you’ll also be running alongside survivors of abuse like me, to help draw attention to this critical issue.

 

President Obama Issues International Women’s Day Statement

Posted by Kyle Coleman

On International Women’s Day, President Barack Obama released a statement outlining the White House’s commitment to protecting the rights of every woman and girls across the globe. In his statement, President Obama announced that in the coming days, Secretary of State John Kerry will release the U.S. Global Strategy to Empower Adolescent Girls—a comprehensive, government-wide approach to reducing barriers that prevent women from reaching their full political, social, and economic potential. The full U.S. Global Strategy to Empower Adolescent Girls was released on Tuesday, March 15, 2016.

Reducing barriers to education—including gender-based violence such as early and forced marriage, female genital mutilation/cutting, and sexual abuse—is critical to advancing the foreign policy, security, and development priorities in the United States. FUTURES is pleased that the White House is committed to empowering women and girls across the globe, and building a future without violence.

Read the President’s full statement:

Today, on International Women’s Day, we recommit ourselves to achieving a world in which every woman and girl enjoys the full range of rights and freedoms that is her birthright.

Women and girls make extraordinary contributions every day across all fields of human endeavor, including in business, education, sports, art, science, agriculture, parenting, and governance.  Without these contributions, economies would collapse, communities would fail, and families would fall apart.  And yet, in too many places around the world, women still struggle to rise out of their status as second-class citizens.  They are denied opportunities for full economic and political participation.  Some are forced to marry and have children when they are still children themselves, while abusive practices, such female genital mutilation/cutting, still persist in too many places.  Moreover, secondary education-arguably the most powerful tool for helping girls escape cycles of poverty and abuse and take control of their lives–remains beyond the reach of tens of millions of girls around the world.

That is why I am proud that my Administration launched the Let Girls Learn initiative, which is already helping adolescent girls around the world to surmount the barriers that stand between them and a quality education.   It is also why I am pleased to announce that, in the coming days, Secretary of State John Kerry will be releasing the U.S. Global Strategy to Empower Adolescent Girls, which lays out a whole-of-government approach to provide the next generation of women the tools they need to pursue their aspirations.

We know that when we invest in women and girls, we are not only helping them, we are helping the entire planet.  A future in which all women and girls around the world are allowed to rise and achieve their full potential will be a brighter, more peaceful, and more prosperous future for us all.

 

What International Women’s Day Means to Me

Posted by Kyle Coleman

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

Seven months ago, I packed my bags and made the 9,000 mile journey from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)―my home country―to San Francisco. It’s been an incredible and eye-openingexperience for myself, my husband, and my five children. As a McCain Institute Next Generation Leader, I was granted a once-in-a lifetime opportunity to work alongside Futures Without Violence, an organization whose mission very much aligns with my own.

Before coming to America, I worked with an organization called HEAL Africa to promote the rights of women in the Women in Africa celebrating in the streetsDRC and address many of the underlying causes of gender-based violence. I had the opportunity to work with a variety of people, including survivors of domestic and sexual violence, other activists, and men in the community to help promote respect for women. With today being International Women’s Day, I find myself reflecting on the experiences that have helped lead me down this path and solidified my commitment to preventing and ending gender-based violence.

I’ll never forget Mrs Munkira, a brave woman whom I met in my hometown of Goma.

She told me, “Today I am old. I survived years of violence in my home. Although things are better today, I wish it could have happened earlier. Our home could have been a little paradise on earth.”

When I heard this, I became very emotional and was about to cry. I realized that the HEAL Africa program for men in the community was having a positive effect.

The women’s daughter, who was in her twenties, went on to tell me what things were like when she was young. She recalled that her mother was never happy. She had never seen her parents walking Women in Africa weaving basketstogether―because her mother was not treated as an equal in her father’s eyes. The daughter explained that her mother never had access to her husband’s income, and had no choice but to wear old and weathered clothing.

“All my neighbors can tell how I used to survive,” said the old woman. “Our family suffered for many years but recently, there has been a positive change, and my husband made it possible for the kids to return to school. Now, he comes home and includes me in decisions.”

On this International Women’s Day, I’m reminded of the many women in the DRC who are forced to live in violent relationships because of social norms and economic constraints. But I also want to celebrate the many resilient women and girls who have survived. Thanks to all of you who join me in supporting women’s empowerment and equal opportunities!

The News About Childhood Trauma: Findings and Implications

Posted by Mie Fukuda

Title: The News About Childhood Trauma: Findings and Implications

Date Recorded: March 16th, 2016

Description: How can advocates and practitioners get better at talking about childhood trauma, why it matters, and how to end it? An important first step is to understand what the public, and policymakers, know about the issue – and what they don’t know. News coverage helps us understand that public conversation. Berkeley Media Studies Group analyzed recent news coverage, and explored questions like: What does national news about childhood trauma look like? Whose perspectives are included, and whose are left out? How do solutions appear? Join us to learn more about BMSG’s analysis and the implications for advocates eager to shift the conversation towards solutions.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will be able to:

  • Describe how childhood trauma is framed in the news
  • List at least two steps that they can take to improve the media conversation around childhood trauma
  • Identify opportunities to create news about childhood trauma

Presenter:

Pamela Mejia, MS MPH, Senior Media Researcher, Berkeley Media Studies Group

Questions? Please contact Mie Fukuda at mfukuda@futureswithoutviolence.org.

 

Promising Futures: Capacity Assessment for DV/SV Programs for Supporting Children, Youth, and Parents

Posted by Mie Fukuda

Title: Promising Futures: Capacity Assessment for DV/SV Programs for Supporting Children, Youth, and Parents

Date Recorded: April 13, 2016  

Description: This webinar will provide an overview of the Promising Futures: Best Practices for Serving Children, Youth, and Parents Experiencing Domestic Violence website and related tools. The webinar will also discuss a new tool developed by the Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence that can help domestic violence and sexual assault programs assess their capacity and programming related to supporting parents and their children. This tool will help programs assess and reflect on opportunities for growth and development in their services and is currently being implemented in four rural programs in Vermont.

 

Learning Objectives:

  • Be familiar with the Promising Futures website and related tools that are available for domestic violence programs
  • Understand the benefits and challenges of proving coordinated comprehensive services for children/youth and their mothers within domestic violence programs
  • Implement strategies to examine or re-examine program philosophies, core values, policies, and practice through the lens of providing holistic services for mothers and their children
  • Understand the role of advocates and program leadership in building program capacity to provide these services

Presenters:

  • Amy Torchia, Vermont Network Against Domestic & Sexual Violence
  • Mie Fukuda, Futures Without Violence

This webinar is part of a webinar series on how domestic violence programs can enhance their work with survivors of domestic violence and their children by using evidence-based and promising practices. For the webinar series flyer, click here.

Questions? Please contact Mie Fukuda at mfukuda@futureswithoutviolence.org.

 

Young Moms, Strong Kids

Posted by Anisa Ali

Young Moms Strong Kids_ShortYoung Moms, Strong Kids is a safety card designed for adolescent parents that home visitation and health care providers can distribute as part of universal education. In addition to providing safety resources for women, this tool also functions as a prompt for providers to discuss healthy relationships, coping strategies, and getting support.

Order PDF and Hard Copies in English.

 

What Domestic Violence Survivors Need to Know About Affordable Health Care

Posted by Kyle Coleman

Today’s guest blogger is Lena O’Rourke, Founder and Principal of O’Rourke Health Policy Strategies, which is committed to developing and implementing good public policy on health care issues, with an eye toward making our nation’s health care system work.

Over the last several months, over 12 million people successfully enrolled health insurance through the Insurance Marketplaces and through healthcare.gov. This is an incredible accomplishment, and I want to give a shout out to all of our partners in the field who worked so hard on outreach and enrollment!

Access to high-quality, affordable health coverage can make a critical difference in the lives of survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse.

While Open Enrollment is now closed for coverage in 2016, survivors and can still qualify for special enrollment. Survivors of domestic violence may apply for health insurance through healthcare.gov at any time during the year.

This Special Enrollment Period is available to all survivors, regardless of gender, who live in states that use the federal Health Insurance Marketplace (also known as healthcare.gov), and some state-based Marketplaces. This also applies to members of federally-recognized Tribes.

What survivors need to do to be eligible for the Special Enrollment Period:

  • Call the healthcare.gov call center at 1-800-318-2596.
  • Explain the situation by stating “I am a survivor of domestic violence. I need health insurance. I want a Special Enrollment to apply for health care.”
  • The call center will grant the Special Enrollment Period and the survivor will have 60 days to pick and enroll in a plan for prospective coverage.

It’s very important to use the phrase “survivor of domestic violence” as it will help the call center initiate the appropriate process.

Some survivors of domestic violence may qualify for significant financial help for the purchase of health insurance. The application will ask for information about income in order to determine what type of financial help will be available.

The application requires all members of the family to report their income in order get a complete picture of the household’s income. When a couple is married, both people are required to report their income. Eligibility determinations for financial help will be based on the household income.

Survivors of domestic violence and abandoned spouses who are legally married but who do not live with their spouse and will file taxes separately are not required to count the spouse’s income towards their household income. This means that these individuals are able to qualify for financial help based on their own salary—making needed health insurance much more affordable.

In order to do this, survivors of domestic violence who meet the criteria must mark “not married” on their healthcare.gov application. This is the only way that the online application is able to process the applications. After they have completed the application, survivors will be able to see what financial help they are eligible for based only on their income.

How to apply for financial support WITHOUT including spouse’s income:

  • Mark “not married” on the healthcare.gov application. This will allow the appropriate eligibility determination for financial help.
  • Choose a plan that best meets the survivor’s needs and enroll in the plan.

It is important to note that this is official Internal Revenue Service and Health and Human Service guidance. This is how these federal agencies have formally recommended that victims of domestic violence apply. If they meet the criteria listed above, these individuals will not face a penalty for indicating that they are not married—when they actually are married.

No documentation is needed to prove domestic violence on the healthcare.gov application. But married survivors who get the special domestic violence relief will need to “attest” on the next year’s tax return that the victim is unable to file taxes jointly due to domestic abuse. This means that anyone who receives financial help based on this “domestic violence exception” will have to certify on their tax form that he or she fits the criteria—though no documentation is required.

 

Domestic Violence Quality Assessment/Quality Improvement Tool for Clinics, Hospitals and other Health Systems

Posted by Anisa Ali

Health Clinic QA QI tool 2016 1 The following Domestic Violence (DV) Quality Assessment Tool was developed in 2016 by Futures Without Violence and Dr. Elizabeth Miller, University of Pittsburgh. It is intended to provide health care facilities some guiding questions to assess quality of care related to the promotion of healthy relationships and intervention related to DV within health care delivery. The information may be used as a benchmark for each program to engage in ongoing quality improvement efforts. Complete the tool as honestly and completely as you can—there are no right or wrong answers, and your clinic/hospital shouldn’t be penalized for identifying areas for improvement. For questions that you respond yes to, it may be helpful to attach and review corresponding forms, policy, tools, etc.

Download the PDF of this tool now!

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Quality Assessment/Quality Improvement Tool For Domestic Violence Programs

Posted by Anisa Ali

DV QAQI ThumbnailThe following quality assessment tool was developed in 2016 by Futures Without Violence and Dr. Elizabeth Miller, University of Pittsburgh. It is intended to provide Domestic Violence (DV) programs with some guiding questions to assess how well they may be addressing the health needs of DV survivors. This includes addressing physical and mental health concerns as well as access to health services. The information is to be used as a benchmark for each program to engage in quality improvement efforts. Complete the tool as honestly and completely as you can—there are no right or wrong answers, and your program should not be penalized for identifying areas for improvement. For questions that you respond yes to, it may be helpful to attach and review corresponding forms, policy, tools, etc.

Download a PDF of this tool now!

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Developing Outcome Measures for Domestic Violence Programs’ Work with Children and Youth

Posted by Kyle Coleman

Developing_Outcome_Measures_Thumbnail_ImageThis manual explores some of the major complexities involved in developing and utilizing outcome measures for domestic violence programs’ work with children. It begins with an overview of some of the major considerations involved. It then describes the process used to reach the measures proposed here, along with issues to be discussed and resolved in order to implement them.

This manual is a companion to Building Promising Futures: Guidelines for Enhancing Response of Domestic Violence Programs to Children and Youth.

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Global Gender-Based Violence and the Workplace Congressional Briefing

Posted by support fwv

On February 25th, 2016, FUTURES joined prominent women’s rights groups, and anti-violence organizations, in a briefing to inform Congress on the unique vulnerability of victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence, to employment discrimination and workplace barriers, and the impact of these barriers on the economic security of these victims and survivors.

The briefing, organized in cooperation with the U.S Senator Patty Murray and Congresswoman Roybal-Allard, addressed the need for safe leave and other employment protections from the perspective of employers, law enforcement, survivors, and domestic violence advocates. It also discussed the Security and Financial Empowerment (SAFE) Act introduced by the two Congresswomen, which ensures that victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking have the financial independence they need to break free from their abusers.

CongresswomanRoyal-Allard

Congresswoman Roybal-Allard

At the briefing, Congresswoman Roybal-Allard expressed her concern for American women’s security and reaffirmed her commitment to providing economic security for survivors of domestic and sexual assault.

“I will keep fighting for the SAFE Act and other measures to protect survivors of this abuse.” –Congresswoman Roybal-Allard

According to a 2012 study, nearly 33 percent of women killed in U.S. workplaces from 2003-2008 were killed by a current or former intimate partner. A 2005 phone survey of 1,200 full-time American employees found that 44 percent of full-time employed adults personally experienced domestic violence’s effect in their workplaces, and 21percent identified themselves as victims of intimate partner violence.

Two thirds of low-wage workers are women and for many, financial instability is a reason for staying in or returning to an abusive relationship, and they are often less likely to report incidents of violence because they are afraid of getting fired. During the briefing, FUTURES General Counsel, Linda A. Seabrook echoed the important role employers have in helping victims and survivors stay safe.

“The impact of ‪domestic violence & sexual violence on women is profound but all the most devastating to low-wage workers. No woman should have to choose between her safety and financial security of herself and her family.” -Linda Seabrook, FUTURES

WorkplaceCongressionalBriefingDomestic violence, sexual violence, dating violence, and stalking are workplace issues and impact the workplace even if the incidents occur elsewhere. The place of employment often becomes an easy target because the perpetrator can readily locate or access an intended victim.

For this reason, it is important that employers enact policies that provide clear guidelines on how they can prevent and address domestic and sexual violence, and stalking in the workplace, provide paid safe leave and make accommodations available that protect survivors from being fired.

Here is how you can take action:

  1. Visit Workplaces Respond to Domestic and Sexual Violence, a National Resource Center to learn more how you can address the impact of violence in the workplace.
  2. Follow us on social media: Twitter @WorkplaceNRC and Facebook @WorkplacesRespond.
  3. If you are an employer, adopt a workplace policy as part of your commitment to a healthy, safe, and more resilient workplace.
  4. Use the FREE resources in our Workplace toolkit to help raise awareness, address employment issues and connect people in your workplace to the assistance they may need.

Oscars Shed Light on Sexual Abuse and Violence

Posted by Kyle Coleman

As an Oscar voter for more than 25 years, I’m a member of the Public Relations branch, which means I have promoted films for studios both large and small. I love the DVD screeners that magically arrive “for your consideration” by mail starting in November―and I look forward to nominations and final ballots each winter.

But almost five years ago, I stepped away from all the donuts you can eat on a movie set―and signed on to a new adventure at FUTURES.

As Director of Communications, I often wonder what it is that I can write or say that will disrupt the violence that women and children are exposed to in every corner of the world. How can we improve the culture of a college campuses so that rape and sexual assault will not be tolerated? How can we work with lawmakers to advocate for policies that protect survivors of abuse? How can we change customs that prevent the basic rights of and women and girls internationally?

Based on last night’s Academy Awards, consider this option: make a movie.

Take the issue of violence against women and children―that has historically been in the shadows―and put it front and center. Engage. Discuss. Suggest solutions.  Last night, I was pleased to see four different projects use the powerful medium of film to take a courageous stand on the issue of violence against women and children.

Here are my favorite moments from the 88th Academy Awards that are helping to amplify the conversation surrounding violence against women and children:

Standing With Survivors 

Vice President Joe introduced Lady Gaga’s anthem for the ground-breaking documentary The Hunting Ground but it was particularly powerful to see her surrounded by survivors of abuse on stage. Watch the introduction:

Shining A Spotlight on Abuse 

Spotlight winning the 2016 Best Picture of the Year award. The film is based on a true story about a team of reporters at The Boston Globe who exposed a massive cover-up of sexual abuse within the Roman Catholic Church. Hours before the Oscars, one of the lead actors Mark Ruffalo participated in a protest to draw attention to the issue. “I’m here to stand with the survivors and the victims and the people we’ve lost from Catholic priest childhood sex abuse,” he said. Watch the trailer:

Brie Larson in Room 

Brie Larson winning Best Actress for her depiction of a young mother in Room, who is held captive in a room and assaulted for years before finding a way to freedom for herself and her young son. Watch the acceptance speech:

Speaking Out For Women Across the Globe 

Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy winning Best Documentary Short for her film about honor killings in Pakistan, Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness. The young director met with the Pakistani Prime Minster and is hopeful that he will pass a law that makes honor killings a crime against the state. Watch the trailer:

I’m so pleased to see these films elevating the issue of gender-based violence and I hope to see more moments like this in the future!

 

Domestic Violence, Mental Health, and Substance Use Coercion

Posted by Anisa Ali

Title: Domestic Violence, Mental Health, and Substance Use Coercion

Date: March 7, 2016 from 2:oo-3:30 pm PST

Description:  There is now a large body of research demonstrating that abuse and violence are associated with a wide range of health and mental health conditions. Some are the direct sequelae of physical and sexual violence; others are related to the traumatic/ psychophysiological effects of ongoing abuse. Less well documented, however, are the ways that people who abuse their partners engage coercive tactics related to their partner’s mental health or substance use as part of a broader pattern of abuse and control. These tactics include efforts to intentionally undermine their partner’s sanity or sobriety, control their medication, sabotage their recovery, interfere with their treatment, and discredit their partners with friends, family, helping professionals, and the courts. Stigma associated with substance abuse and mental illness facilitates the successful use of these tactics.  For settings that are integrating behavioral health into primary care – strategies to address domestic violence can be critical.

Learning Objectives: 

  • Identify two ways that abusers undermine the sobriety or sanity of their partners
  • Three new strategies for how to assess for and respond to substance abuse and mental health strategies
  • Apply these strategies to efforts to integrate behavioral health into primary care

Watch the recording here.

Download the slides here.

Addressing and Preventing Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence in Campus Health Centers

Posted by kvandertuig

Date: Monday March 14th
Time: 4-5:30pm ET, 3-4:30pm CT, 2-3:30pm MT, 1-2:30pm PT

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
  • Yukiko Giho, MSN, CRNP University of Pittsburgh Student Health Services
  • Lori Arend, LSW Director, Counseling and Health Services LaRoche College

View the webinar recording.

Download the presentation slides

Description: Campus health centers play a crucial role in a comprehensive, campus-wide response to intimate partner and sexual violence (IPV/SV). This webinar will provide tools and resources for staff working in campus-based health settings to incorporate intimate partner and sexual violence prevention and response into their work. By creating a clinic environment where students have the opportunity to talk about healthy relationships and consensual sexual activity, as well as disclose experiences of violence, we are helping to create a safe and supportive campus culture that does not tolerate violence. This webinar will feature best practices learned by campus health centers which have begun to implement a comprehensive IPV/SV protocol. This webinar was co-sponsored by Futures Without Violence’s National Health Resource Center on Domestic Violence and the Family Violence Prevention & Services Program, Family & Youth Services Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. DHHS.

 

Navigating Fund Development Strategies During Transition

Posted by Kyle Coleman

Title: Navigating Fund Development Strategies During Transition

Date: Wednesday February 17th, 2016, 10:00-11:30 am PST

Unfortunately this webinar does not have a video recording.

 

 

Description: This interactive webinar focuses on fund development strategies and tactics during crucial times in an organizations life – major transitions. From a program’s major grant ending to a founding director leaving the organization, transition is a very difficult time for organizations internally among staff, but also externally with funders. This webinar will dive deep into navigating fund development strategies during organizational transition, as well as steps your organization can take to prepare. We will also feature a real organization that went through major transition, including losing 75% of their operating budget, yet have been able to expand their coverage, open satellite offices in all six of their rural counties, maintain all of their staff and stay true to their mission.

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

  1. Identify major organizational transitions and the stages of processing such a significant change.
  2. Develop funding and leadership strategies for coping with and preparing for major transitions.

Presenters: Amy Sanchez, Chief Executive Officer, Break the Cycle and Tara Korthals, Executive Director, Center for Survivors

 

That’s Not Cool: Mobilizing Youth Communities for Teen Dating Violence Prevention & Education

Posted by Mie Fukuda

Title: That’s Not Cool: Mobilizing Youth Communities for Teen Dating Violence Prevention & Education

Date Recorded: Tuesday, February 23rd, 2016

Description: That’s Not Cool is an award-winning national public education initiative that uses engaging digital tools to promote healthy relationships and prevent teen dating abuse. With our newly developed website, mobile apps, and an incredible community of youth organizers across the country, That’s Not Cool brings adult allies a vast of culturally responsive prevention and intervention strategies and resources, as well as youth-driven and youth-led prevention programs. Join our webinar to learn more about innovative work being done in the field of teen dating violence prevention and to gain some tools for Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month.

Learning Objectives:

  • Increase knowledge about innovative, youth-led teen dating violence prevention education around the country.
  • Expand understanding of strategies to engage youth in online spaces for violence prevention education.
  • Introduce That’s Not Cool’s new digital tools as resources for advocates and adult allies to support youth-led teen dating violence prevention programming.

Presenters:

Eleanor Davis, Program Assistant, Public Education Campaigns and Programs, Futures Without Violence

Yesenia Gorbea, Program Specialist, Public Education Campaigns and Programs, Futures Without Violence

#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.