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Hackathon Against Domestic Violence – interesting combination…

The World Bank is doing something interesting… they are organizing the first Hackathon Against Domestic Violence.  A hackathon is a collaborative process to come up with technology solutions to address critical issues.  Hackathons are a new interaction to address social problems.  The Hackathon Against Domestic Violence is th efirst such effort in the region.

World Bank Group’s Hackathon Against Domestic Violence takes place on Saturday, January 26 at 10 am in the I Building, room I2-220.

Simultaneous events will be taking place in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama.

They have brought together a large number of stakeholders interested in the issue. An important part of the process has been to identify “problem definitions” to be worked on at the actual hackathon on January 26-27 (see here for more details). Problem identification workshops were held in all six Central American countries.

There are a number of institutions (Telefonica, Banco de Costa Rica, Microsoft, Wal-Mart, etc.) that are contributing logistically to the events in Central America and have also expressed interest in supporting financially the development phase of possible applications that may come up as a result of the hackathon.

Some examples on how technology could help solve Domestic Violence problems include:

* A web and mobile application for domestic violence shelters to help coordinate the availability of space and beds for victims. http://sheltr.org/
* An application or website to help healthcare workers identify signs of domestic violence and refer victims appropriately. http://www.harborhousefl.com/2012/01/r3-app-2
* A SMS application allowing police and service providers to map reports of domestic violence submitted by text message, and thereby identify areas of high need for services and support. http://harassmap.org/, http://survivorsconnect.org/haitismshelpline/
* An application that allows victims to send a silent text message to a predetermined contact, letting someone know that they are in danger.

Anyone can register and attend for a few hours or both days.

Join CAEPV in saying NO MORE. Visit http://www.nomore.org http://www.nomore.org/> and learn more.

Questions?  Contact

Elizabeth E. Legrain
Domestic Abuse Prevention Coordinator
HRS Corporate Operations
The World Bank Group
202.473.2931
http://www.worldbank.org/hr/domesticabuse

(See attached file: DV Hackathon Intro PPT.pdf)(See attached file: DV Hackathon Brochure English.docx)

https://www.facebook.com/WashingtonDcHackathonAgainstDomesticViolence>
https://www.facebook.com/WashingtonDcHackathonAgainstDomesticViolence

Nicaragua

https://www.facebook.com/HackatonContraLaViolenciaDomesticaEnNicaragua>
https://www.facebook.com/HackatonContraLaViolenciaDomesticaEnNicaragua

https://www.facebook.com/events/119058408264215/?ref=notif&notif_t=plan_edited&_req=r

https://www.facebook.com/events/119058408264215/?ref=notif&notif_t=plan_edited&_req=r

Guatemala

https://www.facebook.com/DomesticViolenceHackathonGuatemala?fref=ts>
https://www.facebook.com/DomesticViolenceHackathonGuatemala?fref=ts

Honduras

https://www.facebook.com/HackathonContraLaViolenciaDomesticaEnHonduras>
https://www.facebook.com/HackathonContraLaViolenciaDomesticaEnHonduras

Panamá

https://www.facebook.com/vdhackPA?not

 

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Domestic Violence and Guns: A Lethal Combination

reposted from the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance 

According to the Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, intimate partner homicide increased by 21% in 2010 and 60.5% of IPV victims were killed with a firearm.  Between 2006 and 2010 intimate partner homicides in the Commonwealth increased by 64% while the overall homicide rate was going down. (1)

Recognizing  the significant risk that exists when a perpetrator of domestic violence has access to firearms, the Action Alliance suports laws that prohibit the purchase, transport and possession of firearms for persons subject to protective orders and/or who have been convicted of assault and battery of a family or household member.  Additionally, we support attempt to give law enforcement officers and prosecutors additional tools to remove or force the surrender of firearms when these conditions are present.

The Virginia General Assembly has recognized that firearms pose a significant risk to victims of domestic violence and stalking by enacting laws that prohibit the purchase or transport of firearms when a person is subject to a protective order.  The Action Alliance urges Members of the General Assembly to support legislation that prohibits the purchase, transport, and possession of firearms for persons who have been convicted of assault and battery of a family or household member and persons subject to protective orders and to oppose any efforts to weaken these protections.

Support HB 1410 (Del. J. Scott)  This bill prohibits any person who is convicted of stalking, sexual battery, or assault and battery of a family member that results in seriou bodily injury from possessing, transporting, or carrying a firearm or any other weapon for a period of five years following his conviction.  A violation would constitute a Class 6 felony.  the bill also provides for the forfeiture of any weapon possessed, transported, or carried in violation of the prohibition.  Finally, the bill provides for a process by which a violator may petition the circuit court for a reinstatement of his/her rights to possess, transport, or carry a weapon.

Support SB 864 (Sen. Favola)  This bill prohibits any person subject to an emergency protective order pursuant to subsection C of 18.2-57.2 to physically possess a firearm while in the residence of the alleged victim or transport a firearm  while such an order is in effect.

 

(1) 2010 Family and Intimate Partner Homicide Report.  Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Virginia Department of Health. October 2012.  

for more information, contact Kristine Hall at khall@vsdvalliance.org or 804-377-0335 (January 2013)

 

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My upcoming show: The Anti-Violence Advocate

My upcoming show: The Anti-Violence Advocate, is going to be focused on violence and it’s impact on the individual, relationships, families, and our communities.   Violence has great consequences across communities and is integrally linked to oppression of women and marginalized populations, the perpetuation of sexism, racism, heteronormativity, transphobia and other ideologies of domination.

 

Violence is defined by the World Health Organization as intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against a person or against a group or community that either results in or would have a high likelihood to result in injury, death, psychological harm, maldevelopment or deprivation.

 

 Violence and injuries kill more people aged 1 – 44 than any other cause and results in over 400 billion in medical care annually.  The Center for Disease Control and Prevention consider this to be one the most serious health problems in the United States.  Yet the numbers of violent deaths is only a portion of the story.  Interpersonal violence in the form of child abuse, sexual assault, stalking, domestic violence, dating violence, and human trafficking for sexual exploitation effects 1 in 4 or more of women and 1 in 8 or more of males.  Survivors are left with permanent physical and emotional scars that can change lives forever by impacting mental health, impairing social functioning and slowing economic and social development, and require ongoing intervention.  But here again, the impact on the survivor is only part of the story.  Violence erodes our communities by increasing costs and demands on medical care, reducing productivity, decreasing property values, and disrupting social services.  The range of interpersonal violence I described contributes to truancy, unemployment, unplanned pregnancies, communicable diseases, unhealthy relationships, substance abuse and dependency, and reduction or loss of income. 

 

Violence is perpetuated against more than 25% of our community individually and impacts a 100% of our community.  If violence was a disease, it would be considered an epidemic.  Social forces would mobilize, funders would come out in droves, and programs would be implemented to effect change immediately.  But for violence, that still is not happening consistently or maintained strategically.  And why is that?  As violence is an intentional act, it then bodes the realization that it is preventable.  While some people with mental health disorders may cause violence without understanding what they are doing, most violence is premeditated and planned.  People intentionally make decisions to perpetuate violence against others, with the highest numbers of violence perpetuated against women and members of marginalized communities. 

 

Interpersonal and social factors are related to both the cause and the prevention of violence.  The potentially modifiable factors most associated with levels of violence are concentrated poverty, income disparity, the absence of stable and healthy relationships within families, and (what might be most controversial for some) gender inequality. 

A strategic approach addressing the underlying causes of violence is most effective in preventing violence.  Evidenced-based or scientifically credible strategies to prevent violence include nurse home-visiting and parenting education to prevent child maltreatment; life skills training for children ages 6–18 years; school-based programmes to address gender norms and attitudes; reducing alcohol availability and misuse; reducing access to guns and knives; and promoting gender and racial equality by, for instance, supporting the economic empowerment of women and traditionally marginalized ethnic and cultural groups. 

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Book Review: Trauma Stewardship

Trauma Stewardship: an Everyday Guide to Caring for Self While Caring for Others by Laura van Dernoot Lipsky with Connie Burk

Working in a field dedicated to ending violence against others and supporting victims of violence is exposing oneself to violence and its impact on victims, families, communities and ourselves as healthcare workers. Lipsky and Burk address the often-unrecognized toll on those who work in fields focused on trauma.

They present the trauma exposure response that list the impact of violence and crime on responders: feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, a sense that one can never do enough, hyper-vigilance, diminished creativity, inability to embrace complexity, minimizing, chronic exhaustion/physical ailments, inability to listen/deliberate avoidance, dissociative moments, sense of persecution, guilt, fear, anger and cynicism, inability to empathize/numbing, addictions, grandiosity: An inflated sense of importance related to ones’ work.

Anyone who works with traumatized people can experience these feelings, experience anxiety, irritability, and sadness over the crimes that are perpetuated against others, over the amount of violence against others that happens everyday in our communities, over the lack of funding to keep up with the scope of services needed, and the amount of professional training needed.

Trauma Stewardship is an excellent resource for all of us who are service providers who respond to victims of violence and help support our communities in the aftermath of crime. She presents tools to create balance in our working lives to be more effective in our work, be present in our communities and families, and feel at peace with the work that we do.

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Upcoming DV events in Virginia – Close out the month by supporting DV awareness

October 25th, 2012 at 7 pm,

Remember My Name will take place at Monument Heights Baptist Church. The YWCA of Richmond hosts Remember My Name, a nondenominational memorial services that commemorates men, women, and children in the Greater Richmond and surrounding communities who have lost their lives as a result of domestic violence every October during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This memorial will serve as an opportunity for anyone interested to gather as a community that is dedicated to eliminating domestic violence. Flyer

Friday, October 26th –

The Henrico prevention coalition, Too Smart 2 Start (http://www.facebook.com/#!/HenricoTooSmart2StartCoalition?fref=ts), is collaborating with the Youth Ambassadors in Henrico County (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Youth-Ambassadors-Henrico-Too-Smart-2-Start/162494583852130?ref=ts&fref=ts) to plan a Teen Dating Violence Forum in the Spring of 2013 that will be open to all youth in the Greater Richmond Area, but hosted by Henrico. The coalition is looking for interested individuals who would like to help with planning, getting the word out about, and facilitating this dynamic event! If you are interested in being a part of the planning committee for this forum, please e-mail Stacie Vecchietti at stacie@safeharborshelter.com by this Friday, October 26th.

Monday, October 29, 2012 10:00 am-11:30 am

Office of Justice Programs, 3rd Floor Ballroom 810 7th Street, NW Washington, DC
“The Neurobiology of Sexual Assault: Implications for First Responders in Law Enforcement, Prosecution, and Victim Advocacy” Presented by Rebecca Campbell, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology and Program Evaluation Michigan State University. Dr. Campbell will bring together research on the neurobiology of trauma and the criminal justice response to sexual assault. She will explain the underlying neurobiology of traumatic events, its emotional and physical manifestation, and how these processes can impact the investigation and prosecution of sexual assaults. Real-world, practical implications will be examined for first responders, such as law enforcement, nurses, prosecutors, and advocates. For more information or to RSVP, please contact Yolanda Curtis at Yolanda.Curtis@usdoj.gov or 202-305-2554. The seminar is FREE but you must RSVP to gain access to the OJP building. Please allow 20 minutes to get through security. If you are unable to attend the seminar in person, you can listen to a recording athttp://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/events/research-real-world.htm a few weeks after the seminar takes place.

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Help Get VAWA passed

We have made so much progress on VAWA! Let’s capitalize on that and get VAWA passed before the end of the year!

During the past year, our collective work ensured that the Senate passed a bipartisan, inclusive and survivor-focused Violence Against Women Re-Authorization bill and have kept Congress and the media focused on the needs of survivors! Our advocacy ensured that a dangerous VAWA bill in the House passed by with limited and very partisan support. At the beginning of October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM), the White House issued a statement<http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/10/01/presidential-proclamation-national-domestic-violence-awareness-month-201> acknowledging the need for inclusive responses to domestic violence: “Despite considerable progress in reducing domestic violence, an average of three women in the United States lose their lives every day as a result of these unconscionable acts. And while women between the ages of 16 and 24 are among the most vulnerable to intimate partner violence, domestic violence affects people regardless of gender, age, sexual orientation, race, or religion.” At the same time, the issue of rape has remained front and center in our nation’s consciousness and a comprehensive policy response is needed.

We can capitalize on our momentum and the public focus on women’s issues and get VAWA passed by the end of this year! But to do so we need to make sure that VAWA is an election issue and a priority for every legislator during the “lame duck” session in Congress (after they come back from the election through the end of the year).

Let’s keep the pressure on – because together we can get this bill passed!

Your representatives<http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/> and senators are home campaigning. Call their district offices with this message and also send it by email:

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and 3 women lose their lives every day to this crime. 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men have been the victim of severe physical violence by an intimate partner. Rape, affecting 1 in 5 women and 1 in 71 men, is unacceptable. ALL victims of violence must be protected. Yet VAWA expired over a year ago. VAWA reauthorization MUST be a priority in the lame duck session! Please tell your colleagues and Congressional leadership that you want to see VAWA reauthorized now. Will you publicly state before the election that passing VAWA this year is one of your highest priorities?

You can also tweet:
@[your legislator]: What are you doing to make sure #VAWA is reauthorized in lame duck? #DVAM2012

@[your legislator]: Make #VAWA a lame duck priority – reauthorize it now! #DVAM2012

@[your legislator]: Rape is rape. Will you let rape victims know you want to help? Prioritize passing #VAWA in lame duck.

@[your legislator]: Oct is DV Awareness Month. Reauthorize #VAWA now for ALL survivors! #DVAM2012

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Fundraising for Sexual and Domestic Violence Services in Virginia

Repost for the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance

Hey folks ~

Wanted to share – and invite you to participate in – some unique violence prevention fundraising work we’ve been doing here in Virginia.

QUICK BACKGROUND: The Virginia Sexual & Domestic Violence Action Alliance decided to create a special fund to provide greater resources for local primary prevention projects. It seems like the grant funding keeps shrinking, and private foundations tend to not fund prevention since it’s seen as “less tangible,” so it made sense to establish their own fund to supplement those resources. To raise money for the fund, we’re using something we have here in Virginia called “special interest license plates.” People can buy plates for their cars designed by a non-profit. A sizable portion of the proceeds then go back to the sponsoring organization. It’s great because most people just renew their plates every year, so you have a yearly influx of general funds.

THE CURRENT SITUATION: We designed a license plate which was approved by our membership and by the Virginia DMV. Now we just need to sell 450 pre-orders to “activate” the plate (that is, get the state to sign-off on its production and start making them). We start seeing income after the first 1,000 are sold. To register for the plate you have to: 1) Live in Virginia, and 2) Fill-out an application and pay the $25 fee ($35 if you want a “vanity” plate).

WHAT WE ARE DOING: To facilitate this plate ordering process we’ve created a very focused microsite (www.drivepeacehome.org) just for that purpose. To “hook” people in the general public sympathetic to our cause, we’ve been creating a series of very short (less than 1 minute) videos featuring kids describing healthy relationships, and we’re “seeding” them on sites and blogs that seem relevant. The idea is that the videos will draw people in, funnel them to the microsite, and (hopefully) provide enough emotional momentum that they’ll fill out the application and send in their payment. Or they can just donate if they don’t want a plate.

The first video is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5JqGkYB_js

Please use the marketing videos by distributing them to your social networks to spread the word in your community!

The other 2 videos we’ve made so far should appear as recommended on the side bar or you can access them here: http://drivepeacehome.org/?page_id=39 . PLEASE SHARE ANY OF THESE VIDEOS on your social media outlets, and anywhere else you deem appropriate. Also, feel free to shoot any questions to me about the strategy or execution behind this. Thanks for your help with this effort!

Jonathan Yglesias
—
Jonathan Yglesias, MS
Prevention Projects Coordinator
Virginia Sexual & Domestic Violence Action Alliance
5008 Monument Ave, Suite A
Richmond, VA 23230
(804) 377.0335
http://www.vsdvalliance.org/primary_prevention

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End Sexual and Domestic Violence In Virginia -join the Action Alliance

Want to be part of the voice against violence? Want to impact health and safety in your community in a positive way? Want to provide support to survivors of interpersonal violence?

Join the statewide coalition and engage actively in the work to end violence in our communities.

Membership Information

Questions about membership? For more information email info@vsdvalliance.org

Become or Renew a Membership on-line

Membership Types

Standard Individual/SDVA Staff $30 Lifetime Member $1000 (PDF Brochure)
Affiliate Membership $250 Sexual & Domestic Violence Advocacy Membership (3-10 FTEs) $500
Sexual & Domestic Violence Advocacy Membership (3 or Fewer FTEs) $250 Sexual & Domestic Violence Advocacy Membership (10-19 FTEs) $1,000
Sexual & Domestic Violence Advocacy Membership (20+ FTEs) $2,000
Individual/SDVA Staff Members

Individual/SDVA Staff ($30)
Benefits =participation in Action Alliance membership meetings, Task Forces and Caucuses; reduced training registration fees; public policy alerts; Revolution
Lifetime Member ($1000)

A lifetime membership constitutes a lifetime connection between you and the Action Alliance. You will never have to pay dues again. Lifetime members will receive all benefits of an individual membership and never have your annual dues increased. Lifetime members will recieve special recognition and be invited to participate in select Action Alliance events.
Affiliate Membership

Affiliate Members: agencies, organizations, businesses and units of state or local government agencies with a commitment to the mission of the Action Alliance ($250)
Benefits in addition to above = resources for victims; access to borrowing public awareness displays (e.g. Silent Witness, Art of Surviving, Beating Hearts)
Sexual and Domestic Violence Advocacy Membership

SDVA Advocacy Members: private non-profit agencies and units of local government, colleges and universities, and military installations whose primary function (at least 75% of activities) is services to victims of sexual/domestic violence and/or community-based prevention of sexual/domestic violence. Tiered membership fee of $250 if fewer than 3 FTEs; $500 if 3 FTEs up to 10 FTEs; $1,000 if 10-19FTEs, $2,000 if more than 20 FTEs.
Benefits in addition to above = Resonance, access to Technical Assitance Calls, access to use of VAdata, reduced Accreditation Fee

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Domestic Violence Awareness Month Resources by NCADV

 

reposted from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence website

DVAM Resources and Activities

Guidelines

  • Plan as far ahead as possible and involve battered women and  children as much as possible.
  • Contact your state coalition or network to coordinate and  strengthen efforts in your state and region.
  • Be sure that the media is aware of your plans. The suggested national observance is a candlelight ceremony  on or near the National Day of Unity to  remember those who have suffered and died from domestic violence and to celebrate the work  being done to end violence. Choose a significant public place to hold the vigil.
  • Be creative. Include music, poetry, dance,  moments of silence, and stories shared by women.
  • Purple is the color for  the Month’s activities. Wear purple ribbons to bring national  awareness to the issues faced by battered women and their children.
  • Start small if you wish, but plan now to do  something during October. Make Domestic Violence Awareness Month part of your evolving  herstory.

Activities and Ideas

  • Ribbon Campaign: Distribute purple ribbons to clergy, police chiefs, judges, librarians, emergency room personnel, and others in your community.
  • Table Tent Campaign: Print table tents with a reminder that October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and information about services and how to access them. Distribute table tents to area restaurants and hospital cafeterias.
  • Utility Company Campaign: Ask local utility companies to include a message in their October bills. (Sometimes banks are also willing to include information in their monthly statements.)
  • Library Displays: Contact public libraries in your area and provide them with materials for a display. Church Campaign: Send a mass mailing to all religious institutions in your area asking them to address the issue from the pulpit or in their newsletter during October.
  • Children’s Campaign: Have children from the shelter write thank you cards with painted hand prints on them to be distributed to police departments, judges, probation officers and prosecutors in the county.
  • Chili Cook-Off: Have a chili cooking contest with prizes and entertainment. Invite individual cooks, teams and restaurants to compete, with tasting open to the public. The proceeds benefit the local shelter.
  • Clothesline Project Display: Display tee-shirts created by survivors of domestic violence in a public place. The shirts depict their stories, their pain and their hopes. Teen Dating Violence Essay Contest: Hold essay contests in area schools with an awards ceremony.
  • Wish List Drive: Put posters in area beauty salons displaying the shelter’s wish list and making literature and information available. For every item contributed, the person’s name is entered in a drawing for a prize.
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