It's Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and Program Officer Leisel Harry is sharing some things she learned at this year's National Conference on Domestic Violence.
I recently had the opportunity to attend the National Conference on Domestic Violence. This year’s theme, “Reclaim Hope. Champion Change” underscored the pressing need to cease gender-based violence and invited us all to celebrate the progress of shifting power back to those impacted by relationship abuse. Here are a few things I learned: · The Violence Against Women Act, The Victims of Crime Act, and The Family Violence and Prevention Services Act form the three cornerstone pieces of federal legislation that create the foundation for the national response to domestic violence. These key federal statutes impact support, safety, and service for victims of gender-based violence and all survivors. ·??Kimya Motley, chief communications officer of the nonprofit “A Call to Men” shared the heartbreaking story of how she survived being shot multiple times by her former partner. and emerged as a beacon of hope and strength in the battle against violence targeting women and girls. Now, she spends her career teaching men how to value and respect women, girls, and the LGBTQ+ community while striving to live authentically. ·??In the United States research has revealed that approximately one in four people (26%) living with HIV have experienced domestic violence with the statistic for women being much higher at 55%. Another study revealed that victims of domestic violence have a four times greater chance of acquiring HIV. Survivors of domestic violence encounter unique challenges often compounded by prior trauma which can impede access to health care and impact long-term health outcomes. It is imperative that domestic violence service providers are comfortable discussing sexual health with survivors as well as forming partnerships with local health care organizations to provide a more holistic set of services while moving survivors to safety. ·??When a survivor needs safe housing during their journey to rebuild their life, quickly finding an open emergency shelter can be challenging. To address these critical needs, a coalition of domestic violence service providers in Texas has developed an innovative technology platform, which provides real-time visibility into available emergency shelter beds.