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Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Monday, February 23, 2015
Did the President’s PSA at the Grammys have the Right Message?
The message at this year’s Grammys was loud and clear – stop
violence against women. We watched as President Obama made his proclamation to
end violence against women, and challenged artists to encourage their
supporters to do the same. The President spoke the truth, 1 in 5 women will be victims
of rape or attempted rape, and 1 in 4 women will face violence or abuse at the
hands of an intimate partner. He claimed
violence against women is not OK, and launched the White House #Itsonus
campaign – because in fact, it is on us all to stop the violence.
In many songs and videos, violence against women is not only
condoned but celebrated. Following the
President’s speech, Target aired a 3-minute music video ad of Imagine Dragons’
“Shot” about shooting everything they love. The President’s words were
addressed to an audience that included Grammy nominees, Chris Brown, and R. Kelly.
What kind of message is being sent by
saying we needed to stop the violence, while rewarding those personally
involved with the violence. Violence against women is celebrated in many artists’
songs and videos. Songs and videos may demonstrate violence and the degradation
of women, but these albums sell millions of downloads every day. When asking
these artists to help stop the violence, what are we asking them to do?
It is time to stop violence against women, and it is time to
change the stigma associated with rape and abuse. Still assault against an
intimate partner is not prosecuted as harshly as assault against another
associate or a stranger. Somehow we
still see domestic violence as only a family problem, but violence against
women is a social and a public health issue. The President is right that in one
way #Itsonus, but in another way, it is on him and on every elected official.
It is on us to keep up the pressure, to make sure the Violence Against Women
Act is reauthorized next year, to make sure campuses receive needed fund to keep
students safe from assault, and to make sure state and local laws support
adequate shelter and permanent housing for survivors of domestic violence. It
IS on us – AND our elected officials – AND on popular culture heroes like
musicians and athletes - to change the conversation to help eliminate violence
against women.
February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
This month, amidst chocolate hearts, flowers and love
letters, we celebrated teen dating violence awareness month with waves of
awareness campaigns spreading the same message - dating violence can happen in
adolescent relationships. President
Obama declared February as Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month,
proclaiming, “Healthy relationships are built on respect, trust, and equality.
Our commitment to these values demands that we stand up against dating abuse
and all forms of intimate partner violence. During National Teen Dating
Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, we are called to act.” It is our
responsibility to speak up and stop ignoring violence that happens daily.
Adolescence
is a tough time. Bullying through the
internet and social media, maintaining good grades, and participating in equal,
healthy relationships can affect teenagers.
Teen dating violence happens quite frequently ; in 2011, in New
York City, 10.4% of male and female high school students reported being hit,
slapped, or physically hurt on purpose by a boyfriend/girlfriend within the
past year. (NYC High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2011); 1 in 3 teens is affected by teen
dating violence.
Campaigns
spreading teen dating violence awareness are key to its prevention and
elimination. This Teen Dating Violence
Awareness Month, CADV RAPP students and Coordinators, shared why teen dating
violence awareness is important, through different activities. We posted
photos of cutout hearts proclaiming why we support teen dating violence
awareness. RAPP students came to the Center’s main office to enjoy pizza while
showing off their artistic talents decorating cloth squares that were sewn
together into make a giant quilt of teen dating violence awareness. In
workshops around the City, RAPP students adorned post-it notes with messages
about teen dating violence and why they think violence needs to stop.
While RAPP students and Coordinators campaign to end teen
dating violence all year round, designating a particular month to promote
awareness helps spotlight the issue. It
is life changing for so many teens to tale the lessons of Teen Dating Violence
Awareness Month and live them all year long.
Friday, January 16, 2015
NYC’s LINC Program Impacts DV Survivors
Message from CEO Judy Kahan
This past November the City released a new assisted housing program called Living in Communities (LINC) – a stabilized rent subsidy program for New Yorkers who are homeless, including the people we serve – domestic violence survivors. Since 2010 there has not been any funding program to assist domestic violence survivors to find housing. Without this assistance to find and keep a new home, independent of their batterers, what is a survivor to do? Without assistance, the choice can be between being battered and being homeless.
I spoke with Ebony Williams, one of CADV’s Housing Specialists, about this new program and how LINC affects our clients.
Judy: Can you tell me what a Housing Specialist does at the Center Against Domestic Violence?
Ebony: We work with families staying at our shelters to find them permanent housing before their time spent at the shelter reaches 180 days. During their stay we apply through HRA for assisted housing, and hopefully help them acquire permanent housing. While trying to find them permanent housing, we also educate and counsel families about financial independence.
Judy: Is it common to find housing? What happens if an apartment has not been secured?
Ebony: We do as much as we can to get families approved for housing: we help them find apartments; and work together to fill out the application packets, lease terms, and more. Sadly, with limited funds, some resistance from property owners, and not a lot of available rental space, some people will face homelessness. If a family does not have a housing placement, we apply to have the families time at our shelter extended, but this is not always granted.
Judy: Can you give us an example of someone the Center helped find housing?
Ebony: Suzanna and her family were recently living in our shelter for four months.....
Continue Reading HERE
Continue Reading HERE
For more information about the LINC program, please visit NYC.gov.
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
N-0 Housing Priority Status Legislation Proposed to NYCHA
New York, NY - December 15, 2014
The Center Against Domestic Violence joined fellow domestic violence supporters on the steps of city hall on December 15, 2014 to show support for Senator Jeff Klein and Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda’s announcement of the new proposed legislation to grant equal housing priority for victims of domestic violence. The new legislation will require N-0 equal housing priority for women residing in HRA domestic violence shelters.
It currently stands, that victims of domestic violence and intimidated witnesses do not have the same priority status as other homeless. Although there is a housing priority for victims of domestic violence and intimidated witnesses, it is not as high a priority as that given to homeless families. Even though families residing in domestic violence shelters are homeless, they are not eligible for the same homeless priority housing.
That is why Senator Klein is proposing to introduce this legislation to grant homeless domestic violence victims same equal housing preference as other homeless. As Senator Klein stated, “Domestic violence victims are being discriminated against within the homeless shelter program. The fact that they aren't given the same preference - is ridiculous.” This will ease the transition for victims from domestic violence shelters, to regular housing. It will also help prevent victims from returning to their batterer, for fear of being completely homeless.
Judith Kahan, CEO of the Center Against Domestic Violence and founding co-chair of New York City’s Coalition of Domestic Violence Residential Service Providers, “wants NYCHA to open their doors to all battered women with the same housing preference as other homeless people. We urge the legislature to pass Sen. Klein’s bill.”
35 years ago, the Center Against Domestic Violence was the first organization to work with NYCHA on making battered women a priority for public housing. It was of vital importance that women affected by domestic violence were granted equal access to housing from NYCHA once they leave the shelter. We have continued to fight for equal preference housing over these past 35 years; however, equal access priority has changed face within legislation throughout the years.
Read alternative media coverage Here >>
The bill will be introduced in January. Please check back later for further information.
The Center Against Domestic Violence joined fellow domestic violence supporters on the steps of city hall on December 15, 2014 to show support for Senator Jeff Klein and Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda’s announcement of the new proposed legislation to grant equal housing priority for victims of domestic violence. The new legislation will require N-0 equal housing priority for women residing in HRA domestic violence shelters.
It currently stands, that victims of domestic violence and intimidated witnesses do not have the same priority status as other homeless. Although there is a housing priority for victims of domestic violence and intimidated witnesses, it is not as high a priority as that given to homeless families. Even though families residing in domestic violence shelters are homeless, they are not eligible for the same homeless priority housing.
That is why Senator Klein is proposing to introduce this legislation to grant homeless domestic violence victims same equal housing preference as other homeless. As Senator Klein stated, “Domestic violence victims are being discriminated against within the homeless shelter program. The fact that they aren't given the same preference - is ridiculous.” This will ease the transition for victims from domestic violence shelters, to regular housing. It will also help prevent victims from returning to their batterer, for fear of being completely homeless.
Judith Kahan, CEO of the Center Against Domestic Violence and founding co-chair of New York City’s Coalition of Domestic Violence Residential Service Providers, “wants NYCHA to open their doors to all battered women with the same housing preference as other homeless people. We urge the legislature to pass Sen. Klein’s bill.”
35 years ago, the Center Against Domestic Violence was the first organization to work with NYCHA on making battered women a priority for public housing. It was of vital importance that women affected by domestic violence were granted equal access to housing from NYCHA once they leave the shelter. We have continued to fight for equal preference housing over these past 35 years; however, equal access priority has changed face within legislation throughout the years.
Read alternative media coverage Here >>
The bill will be introduced in January. Please check back later for further information.
Bronxnet Interview with RAPP Coordinator Debra Hayes
Watch Saint Catherine Academy student interview CADV Relationship Abuse Prevention Program coordinator, Debra Hayes, on what an abusive relationship is and what to do if you are in one.
Debra has been working in the field of preventative violence for 12 years. She currently works with students as a RAPP coordinator, helping teens prevent and end violence.
Monday, December 1, 2014
Giving Tuesday 2014
#GivingTuesday is almost here! Tomorrow, on Tuesday December 2nd, the Center Against Domestic Violence will be participating in Giving Tuesday. Please show support on this generous day! The holidays can be are a hard time, but it is always difficult for families dealing with the trauma of domestic violence and the hardship of starting a new life. Please donate funds for gift cards so parents we shelter can purchase holiday presents for their children. We're asking you to help ease the financial burden of buying gifts so that survivors of domestic violence can celebrate this December!
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