New Project, New Motivation

I'm so excited to get started on a new project with the WV Coalition Against Domestic Violence Public Advisory Awareness Committee. We held a survivor caucus in June, where survivors and advocates met to brainstorm new strategies for raising awareness about domestic violence. We determined three major things.
First, that we need to go beyond educating the typical audience of law enforcement, counselors, emergency personnel and advocates. These folks are extremely important in the work of ending domestic violence, but they are usually involved only when the violence has gotten to a crisis situation. Domestic violence doesn't start as a crisis, it starts very gradually, perhaps first seen as just a problem in a relationship that needs worked out. Victims don't realize they are victims yet, and rather than going to professionals for help, they go to the people closest to them: friends, family, co-workers, ministers, etc. These are our true first responders. These are the people we must reach. If we can reach them, we can help prevent domestic violence from escalating to a crisis situation.
Second, we determined that we need to go beyond educating about what domestic violence is. That still needs to be addressed, myths still need debunking, and people need to know the signs. But what good does all that do if we don't teach first responders what they can do to help? Friends and family often do and say things that cause a victim to withdraw from them, inhibiting their ability to help. If we teach them how to handle conversations and situations early on, then maybe the communication will stay open, and the isolation that so often allows for violence to escalate will never happen.
Finally, we determined that survivors must be involved in this process. We must talk to survivors to find out what real people are doing to help, big and small, and what things they're doing that may allow violence to continue. It's important to get specific, rather than just giving vague guidance such as "be supportive". People need to know exactly what being supportive looks like. Survivors who are in a safe situation and have the ability and desire, should also be involved in getting the word out. Speaking out as a survivor is both empowering and effective.
We made great headway in June and I look forward to involving more survivors over the next months, and truly getting this project up and running.
Thanks to all involved!