A Variety of Resources for Domestic Violence Awareness and Education

Violence is a difficult subject to discuss.  Sometimes it is happening right in front of you and you have no clue.  Sometimes, the signs are more obvious.  But we need to learn and have the difficult conversations.  A life may depend on it.  Here are just a few of the many resources I found online as I did my research this month.

• The National Domestic Violence Hotline-vital link to safety for women, men, children and families affected by domestic violence. Responds to calls 24/7/365 Follow on Twitter: @NDVH
• National Coalition Against Domestic Violence 2009 National Sponsor is AVENUE Stores. Check your local store during October for specific merchandise, with proceeds supporting NCADV. Follow on Twitter: @NCADV
• Official Joe Torre Safe At Home Foundation - Educating To End The Cycle of Domestic Violence and Save Lives Follow on Twitter: @JoeTorreCharity
• My Sister’s Place-NY - MSP brings a holistic approach to addressing the many and varied needs of domestic violence survivors and the root causes of family violence, which is the use or threat of force by one person in any intimate relationship to dominate and control the other person.

Workplace Education and Resources

• CA Partnership to End Domestic Violence – The power of one, The strength of many.
• Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence The Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing the costs and consequences of partner violence at work - and eliminating it altogether. From policies and programs to legal issues and legislation, CAEPV is a credible source for information, materials and advice.

Teens and Dating Violence

• The Safe Space.org – The most comprehensive place on the web to learn about dating violence
• Moms and Dads for Education to Stop Teen Dating Abuse - a national coalition to end abusive relationships among teens.
• Teen Dating Violence Dedicated to Providing Education About Teen Dating Violence, run by My Sister's Place NY This site has some great educational presentations/videos to help teens understand and define dating violence and how to stay safe in a dating situation, roles and what to do, and most importantly, what healthy relationships look like. The videos are spot on and the message is delivered in a direct, teen friendly, and unpreachy way. I learned a lot! Follow on them Twitter @datingviolence

For survivors

• International Domestic Violence Memorial A community of artists, engineers, architechts, professionals and domestic violence survivors committed to the creation of a monument dedicated to victims and survivors.  Follow on Twitter @abusesurvivors
• Voices of Women V.O.W. Organizing Project – Survivors of Domestic Violence organizing for change.  An activisim focused organization, VOW "supports survivors of domestic violence as they lead efforts to end violence, shape policies and improve services for battered women."
• Click to Empower The Gal-PAL program is a Web initiative of The Allstate Foundation to financially empower survivors of domestic violence.  Pass it on, Act, Learn.  Learn, Listen, Speak up and make a difference. Follow links on the sites to hear messages of encouragement from actresses Ana Ortiz, Mira Sorvino and others. Follow on Twitter: @ClickToEmpower

Educating and Ornganizing Men against violence

• Walk a Mile in Her Shoes – The international Men’s march to stop sexualized violence.  The Walk Store sells books, shirts, hats banners and of course SHOES...everything you will need for this walk.
• Step Up Against Violence Changing the traditional mindset of young adult males to break the cycle of sexism and violence against women. Follow on Twitter @MenSteppinUp
• Men Can Stop Rape International nonprofit that works to end violence against women by providing primary violence prevention programming to males ages 11-22. Follow on Twitter @MenCanStopRape