How can you advocate for domestic violence survivors?

Listen to survivors and believe them. Don't dismiss their ordeal. In DV cases, often man is the abuser and woman is the victim. In that context, we need to understand the insidious nature of eons of patriarchy and misogyny that have strong roots in Indian culture. Disabuse yourself of the notion that the survivor knew what she was getting into, and that she should have left the first time itself. Whether educated or not, women are socially conditioned to not walk away from a marriage, irrespective of the abusive nature of it. Violence doesn't always leave visible bruises and scars. Listen to your daughter or sister when she tells you she ain't happy. Listen. Offer support. Show her choice to walking out if she chooses to. Stand by her.

It’s also important to understand that domestic violence doesn’t necessarily end when a relationship ends. If the couple have children together, it’s likely to continue until the children reach the age of 18 in many places. That’s because abusers will grasp any means of control they can over their victims, including by using their children as pawns. The children get caught up in the abuser’s attempts at coercive control and abuse victims trying to protect their children and themselves often find themselves unsupported by the system, or even labeled as an alienating parent.

Undestanding the issue must include calling it what it is. MENS VIOLENCE. Statistically speaking, close to 94% of all violence is commited by men "believing" they have a right to power over & control their partner, former partner & children. This patriarical ideology continues to be supported by law enforcemnt & our judicial system. For goodness sakes, our journalists even victim blame by leaving this important discription out when writing about a case involving a man who raped a child. Speak it. Say it. Men's violence is a scourge on society. Women's 2nd class status in law & society allows this to continue. We must fight for the inclusion of the Equal Rights Amendment to be published in our constitution. And not stop till it's done.

Advocating for domestic violence survivors involves breaking the silence through education, awareness-raising, and support for local organizations. Encouraging open discussions, offering individual support, and advocating for legal protections and workplace support are key steps.

A key step in supporting survivors is for police, health and social services providers to receive evidence-based training. Good news! The Violence-Evidence-Guidance-Action project - Vega - from McMaster University is free! Please check it out! From there, let’s advocate for prevention- especially in teen dating violence.

Advocates must always provide all the information and allow the client to make their own decisions! It is our job to provide a safe space for them to heal and create a new path for themselves.

Not focusing the conversation on solving the problem for them, but instead being present, listening, and offering resources based on their individual needs. Advocates have specific expertise related to advocacy and resources, but survivors are the experts of their own lives. Supporting domestic violence survivors is a balance of the expertise of both parties.

The decisions made by victims are important and can affect their survival, mental health and overall well-being. In addition, advocates should respect the victims ultimate choice, however that should not stop the advocate from relaying the truth. Yes, each person has free will, but advising them from choosing the wrong path must be apart of an advocate action plan. Applying wisdom and care, while respecting the victim can allow them to see from a different perspective and result in better decision-making for now and the future, which can/will lead to their exit plan.

Listening and respect are important as I mentioned when the real causes are known and accepted by survivors the solutions which are suggested are real and address the problem and other factors such as safety can easily applied.

Listening and respecting victims' voices and choices is crucial when supporting a victim because the judicial systems and structures don't. To be heard and not told what they should and should not have done or do assists a victim to recover. Most situations are unique and offering a supportive ear and signposting if and when they are ready is helpful to exiting and recovering.

Collaboration is definitely key in providing support to domestic violence survivors. As an advocate one has to have access to several connections to organizations or individuals that are educated about DV and are committed to providing resources to domestic violence survivors. Advocates also have equip themselves with government entities that provide resources for DV survivors.

D'après mon expérience, que ce soit à titre professionnel ou bien à titre personnel, l'importance du réseau, de la collaboration est primordial pour accompagner correctement des victimes de violences intra-familiales. C'est D'après mon expérience, que ce soit à titre professionnel ou bien à titre personnel, l'importance du réseau, de la collaboration est primordial pour accompagner correctement des victimes de violences intra-familiales. La pluridisciplinarité est un gage de qualité, et permet aussi aux professionnels aux-mêmes une meilleure prise en charge des situations et de l'impact de celles-ci sur eux-mêmes.

Connecting and Collaboration are very important and this should include the cultural and religious groupings. Learning how and why cultural and religious groupings solve their issues the way they do is very important. Discussing and collaborating with the gatekeeping groupings can bring out various omitted aspects in all solutions which we think are the best solutions. You learn a lot of hidden aspects of gender issues as they too learn some rights issues which they do not consider and come up with sustainable solutions which are hybrid but acceptable and good to all including the victims.

Collaboration is vital to survival. Often when we sadly lose a woman to domestic violence, the common thread is that they actively sought out help, but the services provided were not collaborative, so vital, possibly life-saving information slipped through the cracks. In Queensland, an area where this most happens is restraining orders. All too often, these are not being enforced, meaning they are often 'just a piece of paper'. Sadly, this breakdown in communication and follow-through means women have died - with an active order being in place!

Awareness about all forms of abuse is needed, people tend to think of physical abuse but the many covert nonphysical forms of abuse are equally violent, some experts believe more so because it is not visible and the abuse is difficult to articulate. The effects and impacts of covert abuse often last a lifetime.

This is a crucial element and International day for the elimination of violence against women 25th November is an excellent day to raise money for your local support service; check if your workplace has a domestic violence policy which support victims and challenges perpetrators; share statistics about the prevalence of domestic abuse; remember that clients may be subjected to abuse and your colleagues too - so be aware of the language you use and never blame victims for staying - understand how difficult it is to speak out. Hold interesting awareness raising events - speakers, performances, music, dance.

Not only is educating the public a good thing but educating survivors in understanding that they have been abused for so many years. I have had women say to me "I've called because my friend thinks I am in an abusive relationship - am I?". So it is imperative to educate survivors too so that they may seek support.

Domestic violence remains a silent epidemic that affects countless lives. It's often misunderstood, minimized, or ignored, perpetuating stigma and silence. To truly make a difference, we must take educating and raising awareness in consideration, as it's looked at as a feminist and extremist thing especially in a country like mine, Uganda. And here are the few steps to consider;- 1) Challenge Misconceptions: Let's debunk the myths surrounding domestic violence. By sharing accurate information, we can break down the walls of misunderstanding. 2) Amplify Survivor Stories: Each survivor's journey is a testament to resilience. Their voices deserve to be heard. Let's share their stories to inspire others and show that recovery is possible.

Digital Campaigns and online Advocacy is the trend in elimination of GBV. I pledged to write 16 stories on GBV Advocacy and Awareness based on lived experience and what I encounter in my line of duty. Today I posted for day 7, "Cyber bullying and Online Harassment" . Tomorrow is on supporting SGBV survivors especially Children.

Listening to survivors is the number one way to support people. Without survivor's voices being included at every level- agency over our own healing, autonomy in our own lives, and a direct line of communication between VSPs and DSPs with Survivors- there will never be authentic work and change in prevention and after care services.

A major ongoing trauma for those who have experienced domestic violence is having to repeat the trauma over and over again to different agencies and workers . Systems need to be put in place so that this does not add to the ongoing trauma.

Domestic violence is a global issue that affects millions of individuals worldwide, including the Central Coast NSW and Australia, where the problem is particularly prevalent. Domestic abuse comes in many forms, including physical, psychological, financial, sexual, spiritual and coercive control. Survivors of domestic violence often feel helpless, isolated, and afraid, highlighting the need for safe and empowering spaces for them to heal and recover. One effective way to reduce the need for survivors to recount their trauma story is through "warm referrals" to trauma-informed and person-centred service providers. Remember, survivors and children can heal and rebuild their lives after experiencing trauma. Safety & inspiring hope is the key!

For many years after my own DV trauma I was labeled a ‘survivor.’ Yet I still suffered from the lingering silent effects. Even after therapy it took a number of years to consider myself a ‘thriver.’ This post-stage is often overlooked. I realized there was a need to help people move through those last hurdles after initial healing (and hopefully therapy). So I pivoted my career to support people in that place of life. This is the work of my heart.

Supporting domestic violence survivors means meeting them where they are, listening to their needs, and empowering them to become their own advocates in a way that is not patronizing and presumptuous. It involves respecting their journey and helping them regain control of their lives.

While an advocate focuses on supporting and motivating the survivors of domestic violence, it is vital for them to also set boundaries and prioritize their self-care. Self-care allows one to recharge and replenish themselves. In this field, it can be quite tedious, overwhelming and occasionally dangerous depending on the situation and/or clients at hand. Therefore, further highlighting the importance of self-care in the routine of an advocate.

One issue that very few Domestic Violence Advocates speak about is the fact that both MEN and Women can be victims in life as well as the Abuser. DV is not something you can learn about, yes you can train and get educated on the DV in General but to fully comprehend the vast array of issues you need to have lived that life. Being a Survivor is hard it doesn't happen overnight but if you want to escape a life of abuse then the victim must make the step to reach out for help. Society including social media, Courts, Police, Advocates all need to realize that boys & girls, men & women can all be victims of abuse and as such ALL should be supported. Sadly society deems men always as the abusers and never the victim. Abuse has no boundaries

We need to shift the conversation from focusing on the victim survivor to focusing on the perpetrator/person choosing violence and abuse. There is nothing wrong with victim survivors. They are doing their best for their own and their children’s safety and wellbeing. People who choose violence can also choose non violence. As a society we need to shift our focus to supporting this change (while also supporting adult and child victim survivors to be safe and thrive). This is everyone’s work, not just a small number of overburdened men’s behaviour change programs. Our society’s violence supporting narratives enable violence. If we change those narratives we can change lives!

Domestic violence can have many negative health impacts, even when there is no physical violence. Abusive partners may control the survivors access to healthcare. There are many health conditions that are impacted by domestic violence such as asthma, Gastrointestinal disorders, and preterm birth.