October Reminder by Christine Duncan

I woke up this morning to discover that not only is summer over, but it’s the middle of October. I think it was the snow on the ground that really confirmed it for me. It wasn’t much snow, mind you, but then again, it’s not winter yet.

Anyway, it served as a reminder for me to tell you that it is Domestic Violence Awareness month here in the good old USA. So please, consider donating money, time or if they want them, your gently used items to your local shelter. There really aren’t enough shelters to go around and they are all grateful for what you can give them.

Recently, as I was researching a piece I was doing, I called NCADV to try to verify a statistic I keep stumbling across on the internet. What I wanted to know simply is–is it true that there are more animal shelters in the U.S. than domestic violence shelters. The woman on the phone painstakingly took me through it. We went to the humane society’s statistics on our respective computers then we went and explored the statistics for domestic violence shelters. I don’t have the number before me to impress you but the short answer is yes. There are more animal shelters here in the U.S. than domestic violence shelters.

Does anyone else find that as shocking as I do?

We need more shelters. And for that, we need more help. Please, prayerfully consider it.

And to bring this back to the topic of this blog–writing–I want to say that sometimes you have nothing to give. No money, no time, nothing extra. That’s okay. Do what I just did.

Writers, that means I’m challenging you to write about Domestic Violence Awareness month on your blog or Facebook or where ever you can. Spread the word–however you can. Even just a short word of reminder will help.

Faith in Mankind

As I may have mentioned, I have taken a job doing taxes for the season in order to make a little more money. For the most part, it’s routine. The people who have come in so far are not exactly wealthy. Many are struggling. Everyone gripes about the economy. A few gripe about the government giving their hard earned money away. It could be depressing, if I let it get to me.
But this week, a couple came in who had both been out of work all year. Between them, they only made 15,000, as they had only found temporary work all year and supplemented that with selling magazine subscriptions. And they were raising two kids on that.
Before they came in, I had been worrying about bills and wondering why I wanted to be a writer when the average income from writing is still only about 5000.00 a year. But after meeting them, I felt that I was really lucky, and I kept hoping they would get a humongous refund although the numbers told me they wouldn’t.
They never griped. Never seemed to lose their patience, although they had to wait a while to get their taxes done. Then, just as I was finishing up, I got to the part where the state asks if you would like to donate your some of your refund to a list of about a dozen charities. Most folks page right on by that. This couple didn’t.
They carefully surveyed the list, considered their miniscule state refund, and donated the whole thing to the domestic violence coalition.
I have no way of telling you what that did for me that day. I get a lump in my throat just thinking about it. So I thought I’d just pass it on to you.

A Foundation of RESPECT

By Esta Soler

In so many ways, these seem like the toughest of times.  Families have been shaken by the economic downturn and many of us are scared about the future.  Wall Street is being pitted against Main Street and many say we have yet to reach the bottom.  Yet there is hope.

In times like these, the best answers may be the simplest.  Put one foot in front of the other and keep going.  Make the best decisions you can.  Find partners who share your values and goals.  Treat other people with respect.

That’s how we’re tackling one of the world’s most serious and intractable problems – domestic and sexual violence.  For too long, this issue has largely been out of sight, a dark secret, discussed in hushed tones if at all.

Today most people sympathize with victims of domestic violence, and with children who witness violence in their homes.  But few know what to do to help.

An answer is emerging. It’s simple and straightforward.  It starts by recognizing that this violence is neither isolated nor rare.  In fact, it is a public health crisis in our country and our world.

The statistics are staggering.  Domestic and sexual violence are problems of epidemic proportions.  In the United States alone, more than ten million children will witness violence in their own families.

The consequences are severe.  Victims of violence are more likely than others to suffer a variety of serious health problems, from depression and panic attacks to substance abuse and HIV/AIDS.  Children who experience or witness abuse may have difficulty learning, behavioral problems, and a host of other issues that impede their healthy development.

New partners are essential in building a movement.  The Family Violence Prevention Fund has two – two new and very influential partners in its work to stop violence: Macy’s and Geoffrey Beene Gives Back^TM.  With many thousands of employees and millions of customers, Macy’s and Geoffrey Beene Gives Back^TM have an interest in fostering a world with less violence, because doing so strengthens their companies as well as the communities in which they do business.

We see progress coming in the simplest of ways.  Macy’s, Geoffrey Beene Gives Back^TM and the Family Violence Prevention Fund have come together to take a stand against violence, and to promote healthy relationships built on a foundation of respect.  It’s exactly the kind of partnership between advocates and corporations that we need to create real and lasting change.  Together, we’re aiming to inspire a new movement that will help stop the violence that plagues families and communities and do that by promoting respect as the fundamental building block of interpersonal and all other relationships in our society.

Last month, we launched a new national campaign to promote respect.  It began on September 19 when, at 600 Macy’s stores and on 135 college campuses, we began a public conversation about solutions to the violence that plagues our society.

Now, with the support of Geoffrey Beene Gives Back^TM, we’re able to empower each and every individual to donate to this important cause without having to reach into their own wallets. Starting November 7, when you visit GiveRespect.org , $5 will be donated to the Fund on your behalf. When you give respect to your friends and family, another $5 will be donated. The more you give on our site, the more we receive but your bank account is untouched.

After all, giving respect is one simple step we can all take to begin a new national conversation about our collective responsibility to build safer, healthier, and happier homes, communities, and workplaces nationwide.

Please join the rally for respect today at GiveRespect.org.

Esta Soler is President of the Family Violence Prevention Fund, www.endabuse.org.

What’s the time Mr Wolf?

I’m not sure if children in other countries play the game called “What’s the time Mr Wolf?”  but the kids in my class love it.  http://www.gameskidsplay.net/GAMES/chasing_games/wolf.htm

 

So, what is the time I hear you ask?  Well, it’s almost dinner time for Orenthal James Simpson. 

In lead up to O.J.’s sentencing hearing, setdown for 5 December, it’s also time to remember Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman.  It isn’t necessary to go into the broader details of the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman, we all know how they died and who killed them.  However, just in case time has dulled your memory or your passion for justice, let me remind you that Nicole was stabbed so many times and with such ferocity that she was almost decapitated.  Horrifying but true.

Lets also remember that the man responsible for these murders has not only skipped around scott free, but he has enjoyed a high level of celebrity and lived a life of luxury that most innocent, upstanding citizens never experience.  He has also refused to pay damages awarded to the Brown and Goldman families.  Most disturbing of all, O.J. Simpson has had access to the children whose mother he murdered.

It has taken thirteen years for O.J. to be convicted of anything that could attract serious jail time.  Let’s hope the sentence makes it worth the wait.

Domestic Violence? Give Respect.org!

In so many ways, these seem like the toughest of times.  Families have been shaken by the economic downturn.  Stability seems gone, and many of us are scared about the future.  The political climate has heated up, at times almost beyond reason.  Wall Street is being pitted against Main Street.

In times like these, the best answers may be the simplest.  Put one foot in front of the other and keep going.  Make the best decisions you can.  Find partners who share your values and goals.  Treat other people with respect.

That’s how we’re tackling one of the world’s most serious and intractable problems – domestic and sexual violence.  With Respect.

Last year, with our friends at Macy’s, we envisioned a national awareness campaign that encouraged everyone, whether they had a connection to the issue of domestic violence or not, to give respect in their lives. This September, we announced the RESPECT! Campaign^SM and launched a new site — GiveRespect.org — that invited the nation to rally for respect with us, and give respect online in any number of ways. By donating, by telling a friend, or by buying a respect bracelet and wearing it proudly. In just a few short weeks, we’ve already seen more than 25,000 acts of respect across the nation, and we’re encouraged that the effort will continue to grow!

And the most incredible thing about respect is that when you give it, you get it back.

Every day, through this new campaign, we learn about the stories of courageous survivors and advocates for the cause, like Christine and Narelle, who are speaking out every day to end the suffering and give hope to those who are victims.

Recently, our partners at Alpha Chi Omega released a video of a domestic violence survivor, Carolyn Cox, who in 2004, was nearly killed by her husband. For 43 years, she silently wished the man she’d married would treat her with respect and decency, and thankfully today, he is behind bars.  She is one of many sharing her story (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doP0sEHvOEk) to help young women understand  what a healthy, respectful relationship should be like. We admire Carolyn, and all those like her who are changing the conversation in this country and building a foundation of respect for future generations.

Together, we can and will build a new kind of society. One that encourages decency and respect. A society where boys and girls are taught that violence does not equal strength, and where individuals across the globe stand with courage, lead with conviction and speak with one voice to say, “No more”.

We need your help to achieve this. Please reach out to others and take a stand for respect at www.giverespect.org today. And tell your friends — starting on October 30, when you give respect, Geoffrey Beene gives back^TM. For every act of respect, Geoffrey Beene will donate $5 to the Family Violence Prevention Fund, and when you donate, they match it!

With Respect,

The Family Violence Prevention Fund