In support of the launch of our latest CHARITY BY DESIGN bangle, The Way Home, we’re honored to welcome Monica McLaughlin, Director of Policy at the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV), as a guest blogger.
Below McLaughlin describes the obstacles facing women in abusive relationships and how the NNEDV is making a remarkable impact by providing resources, support and more to help ensure their safety.
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When considering the choices of a survivor of domestic violence, we often hear the refrain, “why doesn’t she leave.” If only it were that easy! Putting aside the social and emotional barriers to leaving, which were incredibly clear in the twitter conversation #WhyIStayed, we have to consider this: Where exactly do we expect survivors to go?
Thankfully, there are thousands of domestic violence shelters and programs across the country that pick up the phone 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. They help survivors flee with their children and find temporary, emergency shelter or another short-term option to address their immediate needs. In fact, in just one day in 2014, over 65,000 adults and children found safety and refuge in more than 1,900 domestic violence programs across the country. Survivors and their children were welcomed into a safe place with a warm smile, a reassuring presence, and an advocate to help.
“We helped a woman who was shot twice by her husband. We got her a safe place to stay and helped her file for a protection order.” – Excerpt from Domestic Violence Counts 2014
Unfortunately, on that same day, over 10,871 requests for help from survivors were not met simply because the domestic violence program did not have the resources. Over half of these requests for help were for emergency shelter or housing. A survivor reaching out for help is typically in deep crisis – afraid, overwhelmed, traumatized, confused, and alone. It is absolutely critical that we make help available during that time.
“A survivor called our 24-hour hotline today. Her abuser found her at her sister’s house and beat her up so badly she had to go to the hospital. Unfortunately our shelters are completely full, and she doesn’t have anywhere to go.” – Excerpt from Domestic Violence Counts 2013
Back to the “why doesn’t she leave” refrain. Sometimes there simply isn’t anywhere to go.
At the NNEDV, we work every day to make domestic violence a national priority. To chip away at the gap between desperate need and available resources. We work with Congress, the Administration, our member state domestic violence coalitions, local domestic violence service providers, other professionals and the public to realize the promise and potential of the Violence Against Women Act.
The promise that all survivors will have access to help and support. The promise that our nation will treat domestic violence seriously and respond to survivors in crisis. The promise that we will one day live in a world free from violence.
The Way Home Charm Bangle benefiting NNEDV.
An absolutely critical part of that promise is that the domestic violence shelters and programs that work every day to support survivors in crisis have the resources to do so. Help us meet that gap by donating to a local domestic violence program this October, which is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and by purchasing The Way Home, a new bangle from ALEX AND ANI | CHARITY BY DESIGN.
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• Find local programs through your State Domestic Violence Coalition.
• Help make a difference by donating to NNEDV.