“1987 was the first year of honoring victims, survivors and their families by celebrating Domestic Violence Awareness Month. 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men has been a victim of severe physical domestic violence. It touches each and every one of us, but it’s preventable. Domestic violence does not only occur in heterosexual couples. Gay and bisexual men [and women] experience abuse in intimate partner relationships at a rate of 2 in 5, which is comparable to the amount of domestic violence experienced by heterosexual women.” Arizona Coalition To End Domestic Violence
Excerpt: Facts for Domestic/Gender Violence Awareness AZCADV
“Domestic violence is not physical violence alone. Domestic violence is any behavior the purpose of which is to gain power and control over a spouse, partner, girl/boyfriend or intimate family member. Abuse is a learned behavior; it is not caused by anger, mental problems, drugs or alcohol, or other common excuses.”
LGBTQ Domestic Violence
“Abusive partners in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) relationships use all the same tactics to gain power and control as abusive partners in heterosexual relationships — physical, sexual or emotional abuse, financial control, isolation and more.”
Photo credit-vawnet.org
Effects of Domestic/Gender Violence on Children
“In the research literature, children are often called “witnesses” to domestic violence. This term implies a passive role – but children living with conflict and abuse will actively interpret, predict, assess their roles in causing a “fight,” worry about the consequences, engage in problem solving, and/or take measures to protect themselves or siblings, both physically and emotionally.”
Photo credit-refuge.org
To Learn More About Domestic/Gender Violence Issues or For Help:
National Domestic Violence Hotline: The Hotline provides 24-hour support and crisis intervention to victims and survivors of DV through safety planning, advocacy, resources, and a supportive ear.
The Northwest Network: Founded by lesbian survivors of domestic violence, the NW Network works to end abuse in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities and to support and empower all survivors through education and advocacy.
VAWnet,org: Special Collection: Preventing and Responding to Domestic Violence in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, or Queer (LGBTQ) Communities.
Resources by state on violence against women/men: Below is a list of resources for women who have experienced abuse. If you do not find your state in this list, please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline (NDVH) for assistance in locating programs in your area. You can reach the NDVH at 800-799-SAFE (7233) or TDD 800-787-3224.
The National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA): National Indian Child Welfare Association is the most comprehensive source of information on American Indian child welfare and works on behalf of Indian children and families.
The Arizona Coalition Events for October 2015
Asian & Pacific Islander Institute on Domestic Violence: The API Institute is a national resource center focused on gender-based violence (DV, sexual violence, and trafficking) in Asian and Pacific Islander communities. It addresses these issues by increasing awareness, strengthening community strategies for prevention and intervention, and promoting research and policy.
“Last night I heard the screaming
Loud voices behind the wall
Another sleepless night for me
It won’t do no good to call
The police
Always come late
If they come at all…
And when they arrive
they say they can’t interfere
With domestic affairs…
Last night I heard the screaming
Then a silence that chilled my soul
Prayed that I was dreaming
When I saw the ambulance in the road…”
~Tracy Chapman~ Behind The Wall Lyrics
