Virginia residents can now sign up to purchase a special license plate that will benefit Avalon: A Center for Women and Children.
Proceeds from the Drive Peace Home license plate program support the prevention of domestic violence and sexual assault in communities across Virginia by building the Healthy Futures Fund, started by the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance. For Avalon to receive some of these funds, the nonprofit needs to collect at least 25 pre-paid license plate orders.
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Over two weeks, the Pentagon has suffered a string of embarrassments in its effort to show progress in curbing sexual assault within the ranks.
A Defense Department anonymous survey estimated a 35 percent increase in sexual assault and related offenses in the military over two years.
Meanwhile, three service members who directed or managed sexual assault prevention programs have been caught up in investigations that range from groping a woman in a parking lot, to pimping, to violating a protection from abuse order.
Members of Congress have called for legislation, and President Obama characterized the problem as a "scourge" after summoning military leaders to the Oval Office.
But in Hampton Roads, where thousands of active-duty troops and veterans live, the problem is nothing new.
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CHARLOTTESVILLE--A house in Albemarle County is a beacon of hope for victims of domestic violence. It was opening weekend at the Design House - which benefits the Shelter for Help in Emergency. People came out in droves to tour the Design House Sunday. Their visit is helping women and children in need of the comforts of a home. Simple touches, fresh coats of paint and thoughtful themes drew visitors to the 2013 Design House in Farmington. Organizers say the house is a reminder of the value of having a place to call home.
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Sales of Peace Begins at Home license plates that were recently approved by the Virginia General Assembly will help pay for prevention programs targeting kids.
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In keeping with its main mission to end relationship violence through education and technology, the One Love Foundation has recently released a mobile app called the One Love Danger Assessment App. This tool, backed by more than 20 years of research at Johns Hopkins University, asks users a series of questions to assess their level of danger in an abusive relationship and provides resources to get out of a potentially harmful situation before it's too late. "The app equips young people—most of whom are always on their smartphones all the time now—with a free, anonymous tool that's simple and easy to use," says Mike Meech, managing director of the One Love Foundation.
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Douglas County scores high in the number of reported sexual assaults among the 72 counties in the state – ranking fifth in the number of reported sexual assaults per capita, according to 2010 data provided from the Wisconsin Office of Justice Assistance. Nearly 90 percent of Wisconsin sexual assaults reported in 2010 were committed by someone known to the victim. Being that April is Sexual Assault Awareness month, April 25 is the date that the Center Against Sexual and Domestic Assault, Inc. (CASDA), and the UW-Superior Gender Equity Resource Center have set aside for a march to bring publicity to this issue and promote awareness. Other awareness activities include tabling in the YU each day last week to bring up the issue of red flags in dating relationships.
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In recognition of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services will host an event to pay tribute to victims of crime and the important role of advocacy demonstrated by victims’ services providers in the Commonwealth.
Several state leaders will be participating in the event, which will be Thursday, April 25th from 11:00am until Noon at the Bell Tower on the Capitol grounds.
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The Charlottesville Sexual Assault Resource Agency (SARA) is in danger of disappearing due to funding cuts. With a staff of 12, plus two dozen volunteers and a budget near $500,000, SARA depends largely on state and federal grants. But the funding for the organization's prevention and education program relies heavily on local support. SARA's executive director says one local foundation decision to cut its funding to SARA, means the outreach program will be operating with about half of its funds.
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Rep. Jackie Speier, a California Democrat, introduced a bill Wednesday that would take convening and prosecuting authority in sexual assault cases out of the chain of command and put it instead into the hands of a specially trained office within the military. Speier introduced similar legislation in the last session of Congress; that bill, also called the Sexual Assault Training Oversight and Prevention Act, or the STOP Act, gained more than 130 co-sponsors, but died in committee.
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University of Virginia students took a stand Thursday night against what they call a "silent epidemic."
All this week, they were working to raise awareness about sexual assault and domestic violence.
"We do have problems with domestic violence and sexual assault right here in our home," said organizer Staige Davis.
The community rallied at Lambeth Field, raising awareness about sexual assault and offering support to survivors.
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Representatives of the new Culpeper County Options pilot program “Do You,” which provides anti-violence awareness to local youth, recently attended an event against abuse in the nation’s capital in February. The “Do You” campaign addresses youth violence such as dating and sexual violence, sexual harassment and bullying in a safe environment by “confronting its root causes and building resilience to promote positive development and healthy relationships.” Participants 13 to 16 years old complete 10 sessions in small, same-gender groups where Anderson said they “engage in discussion and activities using creative expression to design their own ‘zine.”
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For the seventh consecutive year, the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) conducted its annual National Census of Domestic Violence Services on September 12, 2012 and today released their analysis of that data in the report: Domestic Violence Counts: A 24-hour Census of Domestic Violence Shelters and Services. The report revealed that reduced funding for domestic violence services means that programs are unable to help survivors with shelter, attain legal help, or leave abusive partners.
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Connection Newspapers (NoVA)
For some visitors exploring the Vulcan gallery last weekend during the Second Saturday Art Walk at the Workhouse Art Center in Lorton, happening upon deeply emotional and traumatic pieces created by rape and domestic abuse victims was a bit alarming.
For others who came for the exhibition in particular, it was informative and perspective-building. Regardless, the traveling showcase of mixed media, entitled “The Art of Surviving,” dramatically raised awareness of the existence of and recovery from many forms of sexual violence.
Saturday night in the somewhat industrial gallery confines was a reception for the exhibition, which runs until April 7. The evening included refreshments and remarks from Negar Ehsani and Heather Sarmiento, specialists with the Fairfax County Office for Women & Domestic and Sexual Violence Services. The Workhouse collaborated with their organization to bring the project—sponsored by the Virginia Sexual & Domestic Violence Action Alliance—to Northern Virginia.
The powerful and sometimes unsettling artworks range from sculpture and painting to prose and poetry, with contributors aged 19 through 75. Each piece is displayed with a detailed placard containing information on the artist or poet and a comprehensive, often deeply revealing explanation from the creator.
No two stories were the same—some works immediately followed a traumatic episode, some weren’t created until decades after the fact—but in each case, the artistic process served as a coping mechanism.
There is clearly visible and legible anger, helplessness and fragmentation; the vivid colors and words convey visceral emotion and are obviously the manifestation of a long and highly painful process. But the constant reminder is that these people are indeed survivors and have channeled their experience through a creative outlet.
The colors are bold, the words biting, and while dramatic, they’re decidedly vibrant, full of life. Just like their creators.
“The Art of Surviving” runs until Sunday, April 7, at the Workhouse Arts Center Vulcan Gallery, 9601 Ox Road, Lorton,
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Jody Williams, from Fredericksburg, Virginia, US, is on the advisory committee of the international campaign to stop rape and gender violence in conflict and founding co-ordinator of the international campaign to ban landmines. She is a member of the Nobel Women's Initiative
It was only 12 years ago last month that mass rape and sexual enslavement during armed conflict was determined to be a crime against humanity, during the Yugoslavia war crimes tribunals. Fatou Bensouda, who became chief prosecutor of the international criminal court in June, has spoken openly about her commitment to making ending rape and sexual violence a priority with the court.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today released the first of its kind report on the national prevalence of intimate partner violence, sexual violence and stalking victimization by respondents’ sexual orientation. This report highlights the prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV), sexual violence (SV), and stalking of respondents who self-identified as lesbian, gay or bisexual at the time of the survey and describe violence experienced with both same-sex and opposite-sex partners, using 2010 data from the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS).
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Alexandrianews.org
January 25, 2013
Yesterday, the Virginia Senate passed legislation introduced by Senator Barbara Favola (D-Arlington) that will strengthen protections for victims of domestic violence during the 72 hours that an emergency protective order is in effect. The bill prohibits the perpetrator from possessing a firearm in the home of the victim during that period of time, creating a Class 1 misdemeanor for this offense.
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WAMU.com (Virginia Public Radio)
January 25, 2013
A person convicted of domestic violence is already prohibited from carrying or purchasing a firearm. But that's not the case with an alleged abuser who's subject to an emergency protective order against a family or household member. Sen. Barbara Favola's bill addresses that.
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Diane Walker, NBC 12
RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) -
A transgender inmate's sexual abuse lawsuit against the Virginia Department of Corrections will go to trial.
Ophelia De'lonta, the same inmate who's seeking sex change surgery - paid for by the state - also alleges a correctional officer at Buckingham Correctional Center sexually abused her.
A U.S. District Court judge is now ordering a trial date be set.
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Richmond, VA - The Virginia General Assembly will be considering a bill next session that aims to make collecting evidence in sexual assault cases, easier.
Senate Bill 205, introduced by Senator George Barker (D)-Fairfax, would allow for the collection of forensic evidence in cases of suspected sexual assault, where the alleged victim may not be able to give consent.
Currently in Virginia, consent from the victim is required before the tests are run; but the window to collect the evidence is small.
This law would allow hospital personnel to make the examinations without fear of civil or criminal charges.
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Court records paint a picture of a life in disarray for David Brian Watkins: he faced a failing marriage, finances in shambles and signs of darker troubles.
His wife accused him of sleeping naked with a young boy, according to 2006 divorce records. A friend of hers testified that she called police concerned about Watkins’ behavior, but later backed off, the records said. A forensic psychologist examined him but concluded he posed no threat.
The ex-scoutmaster and son of a J.C. Penney retail manager was jailed Wednesday on a forcible sodomy charge. An Albemarle County arrest warrant said Watkins, 49, had anal and oral sex with a boy under the age of 13 in 2005. The boy was a Scout under Watkins’ command in Keswick Troop 1028 at the time of the alleged assault, police said. Investigators say more charges could follow.
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Police in Northern Virginia are reporting a spike in the number of victims of domestic violence, a report from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services found.
The study shows that the number of reported domestic violence victims in Alexandria doubled from 321 to 665 and in Fairfax City from 47 to 113, or 150 percent, in the five years from 2006 to 2010.
Sgt. Joe Johnson, a spokesman for the Fairfax City Police Department, said the increase could reflect a growing sense of trust between residents and officers.
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Greyhound News (Loyola University—Maryland)
Would you say something if you saw a red flag? You’d be surprised how many people wouldn’t. Dating violence occurs in all shapes, sizes and forms, and can span across physical, emotional, verbal and controlling ranges. Yet, so many people have a hard time accepting their situation or even identifying their problem. Upwards of 45 percent of college women experience violence and dating abuse. What’s equally as bad is that nearly 60 percent of college students say they don’t know how to help someone who is a victim of dating abuse. College campuses are breeding grounds for these unhealthy relationships. That’s where The Red Flag Campaign comes in.
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HBCUDigest.com
The U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence against Women has awarded Virginia State University a three year, $298,437 grant to fund programs designed to reduce domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking on campus. VSU is one of only 22 projects selected for funding in FY 2012.
This award provides resources to develop and strengthen effective responses to violence against women. The funds will be used to implement comprehensive efforts to enhance victim services along with prevention and education programs, and develop and strengthen security and investigation strategies to prevent, prosecute and respond to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking crimes.
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VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (NNS) -- Dressed in purple or their Navy Working Uniform, nearly 150 active duty, Department of Defense civilians and family members took a stand against domestic violence during a photo opportunity at the Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana flightline Oct. 12.
Volunteers formed a human ribbon in front of an F/A-18 Super Hornet to show their support of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
"It's the first time we tried something of this size, this complicated. It's awesome. It's making a statement against domestic violence. It's making a statement for awareness," said NAS Oceana Commanding Officer (CO) Capt. Bob Geis, who along with Capt. Kit Chope, executive officer (XO), were among the volunteers.
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Herndon— As she prepared to go to sleep in the front seat of her pickup truck, Jewell Mikula thought about what had led her here, to a night sleeping in her car on a cold October evening.
"I thought to myself, what if I were a victim of domestic violence, and I had escaped with my two children? If I had pulled into this parking lot with no one to turn to, and how I would find a way to feed them, to get them to school, to keep them safe?” she said. “At that moment, it was true reality to me.”
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October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. It’s also the time when universities across the country launch the Red Flag Campaign, a public-awareness initiative that spotlights dating violence on college campuses.
The campaign, launched in 2006 by the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance, educates the college population on signs of healthy and unhealthy relationships.
UNCC joined the program last year.
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Volunteers at Samaritan House, the largest domestic violence shelter in the state, respond to more than 8,000 crisis calls each year.
While they advocate for a very serious issue, several hundred domestic violence survivors, activists and supporters will come together at the Oceanfront for a fun event this Sunday - the Samaritan House's ninth annual De-Feet Domestic Violence 5K Walk/Run.
The event will feature live entertainment by Tiki Bar Band, face painting, and a one-mile Fun Run for children, but still carries a heavy message; this year's theme of the 5K Walk/Run is "Every journey begins with a step."
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WASHINGTON – The Defense Department and each of the services are drawing attention to the plight of domestic violence because of people like Amanda Tenorio, a victim advocate for Army Community Services at Joint Base Henderson Hall, Va., and a domestic violence survivor.
Tenorio was a 28-year-old divorced mother of two when she started dating a man who quickly turned violent with her. In their year-and-a-half relationship, she said, she sustained regular beatings that caused 35 broken bones in her face, a broken hip, ankles and ribs, dislocated knees and brain injuries that put her into a coma.
Tenorio and other domestic violence survivors are speaking out at installations as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a national designation in October to bring violence among couples out of the shadows of their homes and into the help of military family advocacy programs.
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Lynchburg, VA - Central Virginia's YWCA kicked off their "Week Without Violence" program Monday with guest speaker Judge Cary Payne of Lynchburg.
He spoke about accountability when it comes to domestic abuse and holding the community, law enforcement, victims and abusers accountable.
Payne said last year alone, there were 2,900 misdemeanor cases of domestic abuse in the state.
"We need to train our community not to put their head in the sand if they know about it and to hold abusers accountable. Law enforcement needs to make sure they do everything they can to investigate these types of offenses," said Payne.
Get more information on all the events this week on the YWCA of Central Virginia Facebook page.
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Like many of the women who joined her at Elmwood Park in downtown Roanoke on Friday, Debra Williamson's life took an unexpected turn because of domestic violence.
On May 7, authorities in Roanoke charged her boyfriend, Roland Wendel Booher Jr., 32, with malicious wounding. Since then, she's been coping with court dates and reliving an experience she said wants to leave behind.
"It's been horrible," Williamson said, holding her fluffy cat, Sam, with a leash around his neck. "My life has just been upside down."
Williamson stood with nearly 200 others in the Family Violence Coordinating Council's fifth annual downtown walk to raise awareness of domestic violence. Many of them were linked by shared experience.
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