Message from Director Carbon: March 2012

February, as we all know, is a time of year where we highlight teen dating violence by raising awareness of through information-sharing and education.

On February 22nd, OVW held a Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month event focusing on the issues of dating violence and the use of technology.  Cindy Southworth, from National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV), shared information on the vulnerability of technology and the various ways teens can protect themselves from online abuse.  This lead to a discussion, guided by Brian O’Connor from Futures Without Violence, about “digital gray areas” and how teens can draw their line when it comes to texting, "sexting", and managing their online space while in a relationship.  He also shared a new video from the OVW funded “That’s Not Cool” Initiative that represented a couple exploring the idea of sharing Facebook passwords, which is an emerging issue with teens.  This video allows users to respond online in their own words about how they may feel about that particular situation.  Kelley Hampton from Break the Cycle closed the event by discussing how parents can recognize signs of dating abuse and how to initiate conversation with their teens.  Resources from various organizations regarding teens and dating abuse were available to all participants and are accessible here:

National Network to End Domestic Violence Resources regarding technology safety: http://nnedv.org/resources/safetynetdocs.html

Resource for teens http://nnedv.org/docs/SafetyNet/NNEDV_TechSavvyTeens_English.pdf

That's Not Cool Initiative www.thatsnotcool.com to view the new avatar video and other resources

Break the Cycle www.breakthecycle.org
Resources for Parents- http://www.breakthecycle.org/im-a-parent
Resources for Teens - http://blog.loveisrespect.org/ (which is the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline, a partner of Break the Cycle)

Periodically we have formal opportunities to appear before committees of Congress to talk about the work of our office.  On February 16, 2012, we appeared before the House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security to talk about our various grant programs, training and administration.  Naturally, since VAWA is being considered for reauthorization, it also provided an opportunity to talk about the impact across the nation of this profoundly important legislation.

At the hearing, we discussed the role that VAWA has played in communities across the country, infusing states and territories with our formula funds, guidance and training to support coordinated community responses to domestic violence and support for local coalitions and sexual assault services programs.  We also discussed the importance of the many competitive, discretionary grant programs that help to increase successful prosecutions in communities like Milwaukee, WI where, four years after implementing a specialized unit, felony-level domestic violence convictions had increased five-fold.

The committee members were keenly interested and we are grateful for the time and attention they gave to the workings of our office and the many grant programs we administer.

The hearing ended on a sobering, humble and hopeful note.  Representative Gowdy recounted the tragedy of a young woman, hunted down by her ex-husband and shot in the head four times in the presence of their two children, and how the system had failed her – a protection order that was not enforced, not having access to an attorney, and professionals who had not been trained.  At the time, South Carolina led the nation in men killing women.  However, according to Congressman Gowdy, as a result of VAWA funding, and the training of law enforcement, prosecutors, judges and the faith community, among others, South Carolina has made “tremendous progress” and is “beginning to lift the stain on the collective soul” of the state.  In 2008, there were no domestic homicides, and in 2011, one.  I am grateful to the Congressman for sharing this important story.  What a tribute to the hard work of so many concerned and dedicated individuals, and the importance of VAWA programs.

To listen to the testimony:  http://judiciary.house.gov/hearings/Hearings 2012/hear_02162012.html

February has transitioned to March with an extraordinary conference:  the 2d World Conference of Women's Shelters co-hosted by the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) and the Global Network of Women's Shelters.  This international forum brought nearly 1500 advocates, ambassadors and other community leaders from over 95 countries to spend three days learning from one another and exploring methods of ending violence against women worldwide.  Guest speakers included President Bill Clinton who shared profound perspectives of gender-based violence in a surprise lunch appearance, Valerie Jarrett, counsel to President Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Special Ambassador Melanne Verveer, and Lynn Rosenthal, White House Advisor on Violence Against Women, as well as many other dignitaries and international leaders, including the Crown Princess of Denmark.  Over 125 sessions were conducted, with subjects ranging from the importance of engaging men and boys in this work to sharing promising and proven strategies for implementing change.  

The month of March is Women’s History Month where we also celebrate International Women's Day.  Yesterday we posted our blog – check it out on our website if you haven’t already.  This important day is a special reminder that women make up half the world – their voices, our voices, and our engagement are vital in every sphere of life.

As I was reminded at the Shelter Conference, there are thousands of advocates working in every corner of the world, and every corner of this country. 

Thank you for all of the very hard, and very important, work you do each day to make the world a safer place for women and girls.  Our collective commitment to ending violence is making a difference.

With deep respect and gratitude, Susan B. Carbon Director, OVW