Where do you begin to tackle a culture where a school mascot is a popular rape meme and the campus television station airs a video for an campus safety hot-line that features a “howler monkey bitch” who is “crying rape”? Two days ago, Carolyn Luby, an undergraduate at University of Connecticut published a remarkable open [...]
Tag Archives: domestic violence
How I Survived Domestic Violence
Domestic violence is an issue dear to my heart. I grew up watching my mother in an abusive relationship. I wouldn’t witness one again until I myself was in it. I debated whether or not to share my own story, to put it out there in the blogosphere. But then I realized it’s not my shame. I did nothing wrong.
Q & A: What DV Survivors and Their Advocates Need to Know About Taxes
This post is originally published at National Women’s Law Center and is cross-posted with permission. Advocates serving survivors of domestic violence know that survivors face a number of pressing needs – including safety or shelter or immediate access to cash. Many advocates and survivors may not think about tax issues when they are dealing with those others. [...]
Breaking the Cycle: Standing Up Against Domestic Violence
Around the world different months have different observances and of course October is no exception. Two of Octobers best known observances are for Breast Cancer and Domestic Violence. A vast majority of people will know the symbol associated with Breast Cancer Awareness is universally a pink ribbon but not as many will know that there [...]
Do Women’s Reasons for Having Abortions Matter? No…and Yes, and Here’s Why
About 10 years ago, I moved in with my boyfriend at the time. Should have been exciting, right? No. While things between us were good at first, he quickly turned abusive. Arguments rapidly escalated as he punched me in the stomach, kicked me and tried to choke me. I knew I should leave. But it [...]
Two New Domestic Violence PSAs Shed Light on an Often Hidden Epidemic
Fashion magazines often utilize sexualized images of violence to objectify, exploit and subjugate women. In the recent disgusting spread “Victim of Beauty,” Bulgarian fashion magazine 12 replicated domestic abuse survivors’ wounds. In Vogue Italia’s horrific BP oil-themed spread and Gucci’s appalling dead women in the desert, we witness the media’s continual pornification of women’s abused [...]
VAWA & The Partisan Fight Over Violence Against Women
Headline Wednesday in The Hill read ‘GOP Concedes on domestic violence bill’. Concedes? We’re talking about battling domestic violence and we’re fighting about it? I’m still trying to wrap my head around anyone taking the position against legislation to prevent domestic violence and provide for victims. I figured others might be having the same reaction, [...]
What To Do During Sexual Assault Awareness Month
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. After an active year of stories about rape, domestic violence and slut shaming victims, I thought a reminder would be helpful. Being the data nerd I am my first look was for statistics. According to RAINN 44% of sexual assault victims are under age 18 and 80% are under [...]
Jimmy Carter: Feminist
Jimmy Carter: feminist. While I have many reasons for being a fan of the 39th President, I gained another this week, and not one I fully expected. The former president has parted ways with the Southern Baptist Church over their treatment of women. We have been hearing for awhile now about the church prohibiting women [...]
Live Through This
Earlier today I participated in a tweet chat about sexual violence and the #IDidNotReport campaign with my Fem2.0 colleagues. It was a great and lively discussion that dealt with a spectrum of issues related to sexual violence — from workplace harassment to sexual abuse to rape. When you get down to it, there’s a lot [...]