Nichelle Mitchem

World AIDS Day 2012

 

World AIDS Day is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV. December 1 is World AIDS Day. Over the past quarter-century, twenty-five (25) million lives have been lost to HIV/AIDS, but remarkable strides have also been made in halting the disease's progression.

Only 28 percent of the 1.2 million Americans living with HIV have the infection under control, increasing the risk that they will spread the disease to others, U.S. health officials said Tuesday. One in five U.S. adults infected with HIV are not aware that they have the virus. For years, people can be infected with the AIDS virus without manifesting symptoms. Of those who are aware, only half receive ongoing medical care and treatment for the illness, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in its latest report on HIV in America.

Fortunately, HIV/AIDS is preventable. Nevertheless, each year, HIV/AIDS continues to destroy countless lives. HIV/AIDS takes the greatest toll among African-Americans, Latinos and MSM of all races. Fighting the spread of HIV and AIDS has been an uphill battle for over 30 years. This disease has disproportionaly affected the black community. One in sixteen African American men and one
in thirty-two African American women will be diagnosed with HIV during their lifetime. The rate of new infections among blacks is seven times the rate among whites. Among Hispanics, the rate of new HIV infections is three times as high as that among whites. And according to a recent CDC analysis, the HIV diagnosis rate among MSM is forty-four (44) times that of other men.

One out of four HIV cases in our nation are among women and girls, thirteen years of age and older; and two out of three of these women and girls are African-American. “Socioeconomic and cultural factors—including poverty, discrimination, and inadequate access to health care, among others—often render black women more vulnerable to HIV than other racial/ethnic groups. Many women of color are paralyzed by fear—of being stigmatized, of abandonment by their partners, and of deportation by immigration authorities.

Fear of being stigmatized by HIV/AIDS appears to have at least some relationship to people’s decisions about whether or not to get tested for HIV. But most important for women of color who are often the family caregiver and breadwinner, they are afraid of their families’ reactions to either their HIV status or disclosure of sexual orientation. What we know about the social and cultural impact on Black women’s lives is that HIV-related stigma and denial regarding how the disease is spread, particularly among self-identified heterosexuals who are positive, and stigmatization about the disease remains an enormous barrier to effectively fighting the epidemic.”

Given these grim statistics, this pressing public health issue challenges each of us to be “our sisters’ keepers.” This World AIDS Day, you can choose to make a difference in the lives of others. Toward that end, take action in the fight against HIV and raise awareness of its impact on women and girls. Get tested. Encourage every female within your sphere of influence to be tested for HIV/AIDS. Additionally, you can plan or support HIV prevention efforts in your community.

The fight against HIV and AIDS is a fight we can one day win. We must work together to end this insidious epidemic and eradicate this disease. With an equal amount of conscience, mind, heart, and collective action, each of us can educate members of our community about the HIV/AIDS epidemic and the importance of knowing your HIV status. For further information about HIV/AIDS, visit the Centers for Disease Control’s website at www.cdc.gov.

Source(s): MSN. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), HIV Surveillance Report: Diagnoses of HIV infection and AIDS in the United States and Dependent Areas, 2009.; Evaluate website. Act Against AIDS Leadership Initiative (AAALI). MSNBC.com, “Few Americans With HIV Have Virus Under Control”, November 29, 2011.

Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art

How to Prevent and Respond to Gender Violence: 16 Days of Activism

Sunday marked the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, kicking off 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence that highlight the connection between women, violence, and human rights. November 25 stands as a reminder to the world, local organizations, and most importantly, ordinary citizens to say “No” and unite to end violence against women.

The 16 Days campaign is an opportunity to show international solidarity in the fight to end violence against women. This year’s theme–From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World–highlights the link between militarism and gender violence, as well as the role of women as peacemakers in their own homes and nations. Join people all over the world to promote women’s rights to peace and freedom from violence.

The 16-day period also highlights other significant dates: November 29 (International Women Human Rights Defenders Day), December 1 (World AIDS Day), December 3 (the Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre), and December 10 (International Human Rights Day). The lives of women lost by domestic violence will recognized on December 10 as an act of grave human rights violation. By placing women’s safety and concerns within the human rights paradigm, the campaign hopes to no longer relegate abuse as a “private” or “domestic” affair. Instead, the campaign will demand accountability from the States to secure protection and fulfillment of the rights of women, who make up half its citizens.

What is Gender-based violence?

Gender-based violence is violence that is directed against a woman because she is a woman, or is violence that affects women disproportionately. Both gender-based violence and violence against women are terms used to describe human rights violations committed against women that stem from gender inequality and the failure of governments and societies to recognize the human rights of women. Acts of gender-based violence can include domestic violence, sexual abuse, rape, sexual harassment, trafficking of women, forced prostitution, harmful social practices, and more.

The 16 Days against gender violence campaign focuses on the following themes:

• Bringing together women, peace, and human rights      movements to challenge militarism
• Sexual violence in and after conflict
• Sexual and gender-based violence committed by state      agents, particularly the military or police

To commemorate 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, here are the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) and the George Washington University (GWU) Global Women’s Institute two related events:

From Evidence to Action: Unleashing the Power of Research to Combat Gender-based Violence

Wednesday, December 5, 2012, 3–4:30 pm
City View Room, 1957 E St. NW, Washington DC, 7th Floor

Recently, the United States government released its global strategy to prevent and respond to gender-based violence. One of its four key objectives is to improve the collection, analysis, and use of data to enhance prevention and response efforts. Yet, it has been reported that local research capacity is lagging in many parts of the world, particularly among those best positioned to use research for policy advocacy and program design. Why and what can be done to prevent and respond to gender based violence?

The upcoming informative discussion will be moderated by Lois Romano, Senior Political Writer for Politico and ICRW Board Member, with the following esteemed panelists:

• Kay Freeman, Director of Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment, USAID
• Stella Mukasa, Director of Gender, Violence and Rights, ICRW
• Mary Ellsberg, Director, Global Women’s Institute, George Washington University
• Karen McDonnell, Associate Professor, School of Public Health and Health Services, George Washington University

At this upcoming event, ICRW will launch its latest publication, Strengthening Research and Action on Gender-based Violence in Africa.

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Violence Against Girls: From Child Marriage to Date Rape

Thursday, December 6, 2012, 12–2pm
George Washington University Marvin Center, 800 21st Street, NW, Room #405

Violence against young women takes different forms in different parts of the world. On Thursday, December 6, 2012, the discussion will focus on two (2) issues that affect millions of girls and young women around the world: child marriage and dating violence. This event will be moderated by Susan Wood, Director, Women’s Health Institute, George Washington University, the panel features:

• Neil Irvin, Executive Director, Men Can Stop Rape
• TaraPereira, Director of Campus Inclusion Initiatives, George Washington University
• Ann Warner, Senior Gender and Youth Specialist, ICRW
• Lucy Lohrmann, Teen Advisor, Girl Up Campaign

Since the campaign began in 1991, 4,100 organizations in approximately 172 countries have participated in the 16 Days Campaign. At present, only a handful of countries, including the United States, have committed to take concrete actions to respond to end violence against women. Austria has set us off in the right direction by including gender responsive budgeting practices in their national security budget. Germany intends to establish a national hotline number by 2013 and eliminate unequal pay between men and women by the end of this year. The United States aims to reduce domestic violence homicides in up to 12 communities by 2013, through identifying best practices in violence intervention.

Join the efforts to stop and respond to gender-based violence.

Source(s): International Center for Research on Women (ICRW). Amnesty International. AAUW. Say NO – UniTE.

Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art

 

The Fiscal Cliff: Help Protect Programs Children Depend On

 

Childhood hunger is a growing reality in America. In one of the wealthiest nations in the world, the prevalence of childhood hunger is a national travesty and for many a well-kept secret.To avoid the fiscal cliff, our elected officials are deciding on huge federal budget cuts. Programs that our nation’s poorest children and youth depend on are on the line including but not limited to: TANF, WIC, SNAP, Medicaid, Head Start, child care, and Social Security. It has been reported that more than forty-nine (49) million Americans lack reliable access to the food.

According to the USDA, over seventeen (17) million children lived in food insecure (low food security and very low food security) households in 2009. ii Twenty (20) percent or more of the child population in sixteen (16) states and D.C. are living in food insecure households.  The states of Arkansas twenty-four point four (24.4) percent and Texas twenty-three point three (24.3) percent have the highest rates of children in households without consistent access to food. (Cook, John, Child Food Insecurity in the United States: 2006-2008. iii

In 2009, households that had higher rates of food insecurity than the national average included households with children twenty-one point three (21.3) percent, especially households with children headed by single women thirty-six point six (36.6) percent or single men twenty-seven point eight (27.8) percent, Black non-Hispanic households twenty-four point nine (24.9) percent and Hispanic households twenty-six point nine (26.9) percent. v

These heartbreaking facts about the prevalence and the face of hunger in America and the proposed cuts to very necessary social service programs has drawn the attention of thousands of Christians, people of other faiths, heads of denominations, corporations, and nonprofit organizations and compelled them to take action. Will you join them and urge our elected officials to protect the programs poor children need[i] to succeed?

Everything from Pell Grants to food stamps could be cut by Congress. At the same time, the very wealthiest citizens in our nation continue to enjoy tax breaks while working families continue to struggle with high unemployment. More than one (1) in five (5) children lives in poverty and nearly one (1) in four (4) is at risk of hunger. Now is the time to speak up for children, youth, and families in crisis. Please join me in telling the members of the Super Committee to safeguard programs that the most vulnerable members of our society depend on particularly, in this very challenging economic period.

When you contact members of Congress, your voice will be added to thousands calling on Congress to protect programs and services that benefit children, youth, and families in crisis. Please remind your elcted officials in Washington that everyone deserves a chance.

Thank for you for lending your voice to support necessary programs and services for children.

Source(s): Voices for Americas Children. USDA. Bread for the World Action Alert. Rhoda Cohen, J. Mabli, F., Potter,Z., Zhoa. Hunger in America 2010. Feeding America. February 2010. Nord, Mark, M. Andrews, S. Carlson. United States Department of Agriculture/Economic Research Service, Household Food Security in the United States, 2008. Cook, John. Feeding America. Child Food Insecurity in the United States:2006-2008. Nord, Mark, M. Andrews, S. Carlson. United States Department of Agriculture/Economic Research Service, Household Food Security in the United States, 2009.

Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art

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[i] Very necessary programs such as Medicaid, food stamps, Head Start, child care, and more need your help.

iiBread for the World Action Alert.

iiRhoda Cohen, J. Mabli, F., Potter,Z., Zhoa. Hunger in America 2010. Feeding America. February 2010.

iiiNord, Mark, M. Andrews, S. Carlson. United States Department of

Agriculture/Economic Research Service, Household Food Security in the United States, 2008.

iv Cook, John. Feeding America. Child Food Insecurity in the United States:2006-2008.

vNord, Mark, M. Andrews, S. Carlson. United States Department of Agriculture/Economic Research Service, Household Food Security in the United States, 2009.

“The Least of These”

It will soon be Thanksgiving and in the American tradition, many will prepare a celebration to express their gratitude to God for all the blessings in their lives. Most celebrate with a turkey dinner. It is a longstanding tradition. A record number of Americans will be using food stamps to get by this Thanksgiving.

“About 42.2 million Americans are using food stamps this Thanksgiving, according to the Economic Policy Institute. That’s more than in any prior year, the nonprofit government watchdog group The Sunlight Foundation reports. It may be no surprise, given that participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — the official name for food stamps — has increased 70 percent on average since 2007, according to U.S. News and World Report. In June, food stamp use hit a record high.”

This year’s Thanksgiving holiday, for many families, is filled with worry about how they will pay their bills in December. How would you celebrate if you couldn’t afford to buy the traditional Thanksgiving food? There would be no turkey, no mashed potatoes, no gravy, no dressing, and even no pumpkin pie.

“The boost in food stamp use is just one indicator of how many Americans will be struggling to have a good Thanksgiving meal this year, especially given the fact that the average person on food stamps has a budget of just $1.00 to $1.25 per meal. Food banks are hurting in the face of last summer’s drought which cut into supplies, while raising prices at the same time.”

Many throughout our nation are facing another Thanksgiving holiday that will not include the traditional meal with all the trimmings. Economic times are very difficult for countless families and food budgets, for many, are stretched to the limit. You can make it a better holiday for a family in your community. Donate to your local community food bank and you will help make Thanksgiving a joyous day for many of your neighbors in need. After all, it’s an American tradition. Make a difference; change a life.

Additionally, tell your members of Congress to protect programs that give hope and opportunity to people experiencing hunger and poverty. Reducing our nation’s long-term debt is critical, but hungry and poor people didn’t cause the problem, and cutting programs that help them won’t significantly reduce our debt. But cutting these programs will have a devastating impact on the most vulnerable members of our society.

As Congress considers federal budget cuts, please join me in urging Congress to keep our nation’s commitment to those Jesus called “the least of these” by sending an email.

Make it a Happy Thanksgiving for the families struggling to recover under very difficult economic circumstances--- remind your members of Congress that  you put them in office to care for all their constituents not simply the 1%.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Source(s): “Food Stamps Used By Record 42.2 Million Americans This Thanksgiving”, The Huffington Post, Harry Bradford, 11/21/2012.

Photo credit: Microsoft Clip Art

 

Talking about “Trauma Recovery and Empowerment: A Clinician’s Guide for Working with Women in Groups”

Much like Ginny NiCarthy’s books “Getting Free” and more recently “You Can End Abuse and Take Back Your Life”, “Trauma Recovery and Empowerment: A Clinician’s Guide for Working with Women in Groups” by Maxine Harris, PhD is a must read for clinicians working with women that have experienced trauma. In the case of Maxine Harris’ book the women may have experienced various forms of trauma including but not limited to domestic violence.

Here’s what others are saying about Trauma Recovery and Empowerment: A Clinician’s Guide for Working with Women in Groups” by Maxine Harris, PhD.

“….I strongly recommend this book and the TREM program for anyone working in community counseling who has clients with a wide variety of needs and little time or resources to create programs to meet everyone’s needs. TREM is a gift to the clients but also a gift to busy counselors and understaffed agencies….”

“…I believe TREM is an invaluable resource. I have a wonderful series of group sessions set out that require a minimum of preparation. The clients in the TREM group can address their concerns in a safe setting. The agency I work for is able to serve many women at once who would receive no trauma counseling if we didn’t have the TREM group. Ideally, it would be best for each woman to have unlimited one on one counseling to address trauma, but that won’t happen because of time and funding and staffing. So TREM is a winning option for everyone. ..”

Source(s): Trauma Recovery and Empowerment: A Clinician’s Guide for Working with Women in Groups. Amazon.

Photo credit: Microsoft Clip Art

2012 National Elections Were All About Jobs

The 2012 election results should have sent the message to all elected officials that the electorate is more concerned about jobs than cutting the national debt. For more than two and a half years, there has been positive private-sector job growth. In the United States, the unemployment rate declined from 8.1% in August to 7.8% in September.  According to figures released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS),  one hundred and fourteen thousand (114,000) jobs were added that month.

In response to the release of the September 2012 job growth, AFL-CIO President said that the recent jobs report by the the BLS: “confirms that the economy is finally beginning to build some momentum, as we work to dig out of the devastatingly deep hole that President Obama inherited from George W. Bush and a generation of flawed policies. Now we need the President and Congress to build on this momentum and keep their focus on job creation, including by passing the American Jobs Act.”

Some political analyst asserted that the 2012 Presidential Race is all about jobs, jobs, jobs. The election results proved that they were in fact correct. The 2012 election at the federal level was all about jobs.  As a result, the Democrats increased their number of seats in the United States Senate, United States House of Representatives, and they maintained the White House for a second term.

After his loss to Barack Obama for the presidency, Mitt Romney shared his thoughts about the reasons behind the loss to his big money supporters. Romney’s conclusions about his loss were disturbing to many even several Republican party leaders including but not limited New Jersey’s Governor Chris Christie. Election tensions within the Republican Party flared anew as Louisania’s Governor Bobby Jindal also rejected Romney’s explanation for his loss in the 2012 race for the White House.

I wonder what conservative pundits have to say about the election outcomes at the federal level in the U.S. House, U.S. Senate, and the Office of the President —particularly, given the record breaking amounts of money spent by Karl Rove’s nonprofits, Billionare Sheldon Adelson, and the Koch brothers to assist Republican candidates in their efforts to take control of the White House and the United States Senate.

The electorate has spoken “Trickle Down” economics failed miserably under Reagan and Bush as best demonstrated by the economic collapse— the road to recovery for our nation is in fact alll about jobs, jobs, jobs.

Source(s): AFL-CIO. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Politico. Huffington Post. Christian Science Monitor.

Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art.

What does economic autonomy have to do with domestic violence?

Domestic violence continues to pose a clear and present danger to the health and well-being of countless victims. An important factor to consider when pondering the question why doesn’t the victim leave is her/his economic ability to live independently.  Studies indicate that one of the best predictors of whether a victim will be able to stay away from her abuser is her degree of economic independence. However, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking often negatively impacts victims’ ability to maintain employment.

Abusers often seek to exert  financial control their partners by actively interfering with their ability to work, including preventing their partners from going to work, harassing their partners at work, limiting the access of their partners to cash or transportation, and sabotaging the child care arrangements of their partners. [2] Studies indicate that between 35 and 56 percent of employed battered women surveyed were harassed at work by their abusive partners. [3]

Victims of domestic violence also often miss work due to injuries, court dates, and safety concerns requiring legal protections. Victims of intimate partner violence lose 8,000,000 days of paid work each year–the equivalent of over 32,000 full-time jobs and 5,600,000 days of household productivity.[4] According to a 1998 report of the General Accounting Office, between 1/4 and 1/2 of domestic violence victims surveyed in 3 studies reported that they lost a job due, at least in part, to domestic violence.[5] Women who have experienced domestic violence or dating violence are more likely than other women to be unemployed, to suffer from health problems that can affect employability and job performance, to report lower personal income, and to rely on welfare.[6]

Domestic violence also affects perpetrators’ ability to work. A recent study found that 48% of abusers reported having difficulty concentrating at work and 42% reported being late to work. Seventy-eight ( 78) percent reported using their own company’s resources in connection with the abusive relationship. More than 35 percent of stalking victims report losing time from work due to the stalking [11] and 7 percent never return to work. [12] The Bureau of National Affairs has estimated that domestic violence costs United States employers between $3,000,000,000 and $5,000,000,000 annually in lost time and productivity, while other reports have estimated the cost at between $5,800,000,000 and $13,000,000,000 annually. [13]

United States medical costs for domestic violence have been estimated to be 1,000,000,000 per year.[14]  Ninety-four percent of corporate security and safety directors at companies nationwide rank domestic violence as a high security concern.[15] Already, 25 States and the District of Columbia have laws that explicitly provide unemployment insurance to domestic violence victims in certain circumstances; however, these laws vary in the extent to which they effectively address the special circumstances of victims of domestic violence and very few of the laws explicitly cover victims of sexual assault or stalking.[16]

Five States provide victims of domestic or sexual violence with leave from work to go to court, to the doctor, or to take other steps to address the violence in their lives, and several other States provide time off to victims of crimes, which can include victims of domestic and sexual violence, to attend court proceedings. However, many States have no employment-protected leave provisions that allow victims of domestic or sexual violence to take the time off they need to address the violence. [17] Domestic violence victims and third parties who help them have been subjected to discriminatory practices by health, life, disability, and property and casualty insurers and employers who self-insure employee benefits who have denied or canceled coverage, rejected claims, and raised rates based on domestic violence.

Although some State legislatures have tried to address these problems, the scope of protection afforded by the laws adopted varies from State to State, with many failing to address the problem comprehensively. Moreover, Federal law prevents States from protecting the almost 40 percent of employees whose employers self-insure employee benefits.

Sources: Listed below in the footnote section. Photo credit: Microsoft Clip Art

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1.  EVAN STARK & ANNE FLITCRAFT, WOMEN AT RISK: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND WOMEN’S HEALTH xvii, 10, 202 (1996).

2.  JODY RAPHAEL & RICHARD M. TOLMAN, TRAPPED IN POVERTY, TRAPPED BY ABUSE: NEW EVIDENCE DOCUMENTING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND WELFARE (1997).

3.  U.S. GEN. ACCT. OFFICE, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVALENCE AND IMPLICATIONS FOR EMPLOYMENT AMONG WELFARE RECIPIENTS 19 (Nov. 1998).

4.  Costs of Intimate Partner Violence Against Women in the United States, Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2003.

5.  U.S. GEN. ACCT. OFFICE, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVALENCE AND IMPLICATIONS FOR EMPLOYMENT AMONG WELFARE RECIPIENTS 19 (NOV. 1998).

6.  DETIS T. DUHART, U.S. DEP’T OF JUSTICE, VIOLENCE IN THE WORKFORCE, 1993-1999 2 (DECEMBER 2001).

7.  GREG WARCHOL, U.S. DEP’T OF JUSTICE, WORKPLACE VIOLENCE, 1992-96 2 (July 1998).

8.  DETIS T. DUHART, U.S. DEP’T OF JUSTICE, VIOLENCE IN THE WORKFORCE, 1993-1999 2 (DECEMBER 2001).

9.  GREG WARCHOL, U.S. DEP’T OF JUSTICE, WORKPLACE VIOLENCE, 1992-96 4 (July 1998).

10. E. Ellis, B. Atkeson and K. Calhoun, An Assessment of the Long Term Reaction to Rape, 50 J. ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY No. 3, 264 (1981).

11. Costs of Intimate Partner Violence Against Women in the United States, Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2003.

12. PATRICIA T JADEN & NANCY THOENNES, NAT’L INST. OF JUST. & CTRS. FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION, STALKING IN AMERICA: FINDINGS FROM THE NATIONAL VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN SURVEY 11 (April 1998). PATRICIA TJADEN & NANCY THOENNES, NAT’L INST. OF JUST. & CTRS. FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION, STALKING IN AMERICA: FINDINGS FROM THE NATIONAL VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN SURVEY 11 (April 1998).

13. Joan Zorza, Women Battering: High Costs and the State of the Law, CLEARINGHOUSE REV., Vol. 28, No. 4, 383, 385 (1994); National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Costs of Intimate Partner Violence Against Women in the United States, Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2003.; “Intimate Violence Costs Billions,” ABC News, 4/29/2003.

14. Joan Zorza, Women Battering: High Costs and the State of the Law,  LEARINGHOUSE REV., Vol. 28, No. 4, 383, 385 (1994).

15. JOSEPH A. KINNEY, NAT’L SAFE WORKPLACE INST., DOMESTIC VIOLENCE MOVES INTO WORKPLACE (1994).

16. NOW LEGAL DEFENSE AND EDUCATION FUND, VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN FACT SHEETS ON STATE LAWS: UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE, ( at http://www.nowldef.org/html/issues/vio/laws-ui.shtml (April 1, 2003 (states include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming); State Net 2003 Bill Tracking HI S.B. 931 (Hawaii Governor signed law on 5/19/2003); State Net 2003 Bill Tracking MT S.B. 180 (Montana Governor signed provision on 4/14/2003 to make law permanent); StateNet 2003 Bill Tracking IL H.B. 3486 (passed both Houses 6/1/03) ) (Please note: Legal Momentum is the new name of NOW Legal Defense and Education Fund.  The new link to the fact sheet is http://www.legalmomentum.org/issues/vio/ui.pdf)

17. NOW LEGAL DEFENSE AND EDUCATION FUND, VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN FACT SHEETS ON STATE LAWS: UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE, ( at http://www.nowldef.org/html/issues/vio/laws-ui.shtml (April 1, 2003 (states include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming).

VAWA NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION – NOVEMBER 13TH, 2012

Annually, 12.7 million men and women in the U.S. are physically abused, raped or stalked by their partners.[i] That is approximately the number of people in New York City and Los Angeles combined.[ii] That is 24 people every minute.[iii] These are people we know.

We know that all victims need protection and it is important to tell the world why on the National Day of Action. Congress must pass the real Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). As aptly stated by the National Task Force to End Domestic Violence, doing nothing is not an option with VAWA.

It’s unacceptable that VAWA resources have been jeopardized for almost two (2) years. The election is over and it’s time. Congress has some unfinished business. They MUST PASS the Violence Against Women Act NOW! We must get Congress to finish the work of passing a VAWA that safely and effectively protects ALL victims.

Now that the election is over, Congress is back to work to finish up as much as they can before the end of the year.  VAWA must be on the list of work that gets done by the end of December!  Come January, the current bill expires and we will need to start again to draft a brand new bill, losing precious time and lives in the process.

Calls to our legislators in Washington, DC about VAWA’s authorization are important. Our calls are essential and will determine whether or not the Real VAWA passes. With that said, the National Task Force to End Domestic Violence has issued “A Call to Action!” on Wednesday, November 13^th, 2012 to reauthorize the real VAWA. In these final days Congress must see a groundswell that cannot be ignored.

Every person concerned about the health and well-being of women is needed now to raise their voice and tell Congress not to go backward but move forward to reauthorize the Real VAWA. It is important to get a Violence Against Women Act passed that protects ALL victims. The calls, emails, letters, and tweets to date have worked and now is the time to take it a step further.  It is important to show Congress how important the real Violence Against Women Act is to victims, survivors, advocates, and concerned citizens across the country.[iv]

Please tell your friends, families and everyone you know who cares about eradicating domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking that . All victims need protection and it is important to tell the world why on the National Day of Action. Congress must pass a Violence Against Women Act!

Don’t forget to tweet about VAWA using the hashtags  #ReauthorizeVAWA, #RealVAWA and #VAWA.

Tell Congress doing nothing is simply not an option!

Pre-election, everyone did a great job getting the word out and holding our elected officials to their obligation to address the concerns of all people.  Now, we have to get them focused specifically on passing VAWA in the next six weeks!

Commit to ending domestic and sexual violence with this concrete action you can take to support VAWA:

TAKE ACTION TOMORROW!

Save Wednesday, November 14^th, 2012, for a VAWA day of ACTION. “By the end of the day, every Member of Congress should hear a unified message: Work out the differences, pass VAWA before this Congress ends and you go home for the holidays.  Do not let VAWA die and miss this chance to help victims find shelter, help and justice.  There is precious little time left and victim’s lives and futures are in the balance.”[v]

“Join #PassVAWA2012 Social Media Campaign”[vi]

“Be a part of a ground-breaking campaign to leverage the full power of social media in fighting for the Reauthorization of VAWA!”[vii]

“Join the #PassVAWA2012 Facebook Photo Campaign to tell Congress that it’s time to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) !  It’s easy, just snap photos of you, your friends, your colleagues, & sympathetic strangers holding up signs saying why we need to Pass VAWA NOW!  Submit your photos via email to [email protected] or tweetpic with #PassVAWA2012.”[viii]

For more details and sample campaign tweets check out the tool kit on www.4VAWA.org!

Source(s): National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) Action Alert. National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence (NTF) Action Alert

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[i] National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) Action Alert. National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence (NTF) Action Alert.

 

[ii] National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) Action Alert. National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence (NTF) Action Alert.

 

[iii] National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) Action Alert. National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence (NTF) Action Alert.

 

[iv] National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) Action Alert. National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence (NTF) Action Alert.

 

[v] National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) Action Alert. National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence (NTF) Action Alert.

 

[vi] National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) Action Alert. National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence (NTF) Action Alert.

 

[vii] National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) Action Alert. National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence (NTF) Action Alert.

 

[viii] National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) Action Alert. National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence (NTF) Action Alert.

 

BOUGHT AND PAID FOR?

What is at stake in the 2012 elections? The 2012 Presidential Election is close and election day not simply for the Office for the President but also for members of the United States House and United States Senate is fast approaching. The Republicans control the United States House of Representatives. The Democrats control the United States Senate.  What is at stake in the 2012 election cycle is control of the Office of the President, the United States House of Representatives as well as the United States Senate and most importantly the course of the nation.

All this political power at the national level up for grabs has brought out big money in a big way. The political muscle of the 1%ers has primarily been deployed through multi-million dollar advertising buys targeting candidates on both television and the Internet. The  Republican Super PACs have spent $260 million on advertising campaigns, according to FEC reports and press releases and expected to spend another 40 million dollars on this election cycle.[i] The majority of that — $171.5 million — has gone to ads intended to help defeat President Barack Obama. Another $66.3 million has been put toward Senate races and $11.6 million toward House races. [ii]

In the 2012 election cycle, we have seen the most money ever spent on political ads in American history. With that said, will Americans and the world wake on Wednesday, November 7, 2012, to find that big money has bought and paid for the Office of the President and control of the United States House and the United States Senate? What will a victory for big money supported candidates  mean for America and the world? To answer that question, let’s look at, What is at stake in the 2012 elections?

The next United States President will select several appointees for the United States Supreme Court. Additionally, on the table is the question of how we as a national will handle key questions concerning the public welfare including but not limited to: taxes, unemployment, health care, social welfare programs, defense, women’s right to self-determination, and our nation’s infrastructure. How will it affect US foreign policy?

The vision for our nation’s road to recovery by the Presidential Candidates has never been starker. The Republican Candidate for President, Governor Mitt Romney’s view of America has received much financial support from individuals that have been termed the 1% (i.e. Charles and David Koch) as it benefits them greatly. The Democrat Candidate for President, President Barack Obama, has received diverse support from persons of varied income levels. Obama has received support from both the 99%  as well as members of the 1% such as  billionaire business man, George Soros..

As the proponents of voter suppression measures (.i.e. Voter ID Laws, etc.) struck down by many courts in several key states understand, the only power that can overcome big money is people power. As was aptly stated by President Johnson when discussing the Voting Rights Act of 1965, “The vote is the most powerful instrument ever devised by man for breaking down injustice and destroying the terrible walls which imprison men because they are different from other men.”

Each election day, countless eligible voters deprive themselves of their voting right through complacency or apathy. Don’t be among them—exercise your right to vote.

Source(s): Wikipedia. “Karl Rove-Backed Groups Are Largest Single Outside Force In 2012 Election”, Huffington Post, 11/04/2012. “These Americans Have Made The Most Billions Under Obama”, Forbes, 02/29/12.

Photo Credit Microsoft Clip Art

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[i] “Karl Rove-Backed Groups Are Largest Single Outside Force In 2012 Election”, Huffington Post, 11/04/2012.

[ii] “Karl Rove-Backed Groups Are Largest Single Outside Force In 2012 Election”, Huffington Post, 11/04/2012.

 

Will Single Women Decide The Outcome Of The 2012 Presidential Election?

The 2012 Presidential Election is close and election day is fast approaching. The next United States President will select several appointees for the United States Supreme Court. The Romney/Ryan ticket opposes abortion and Planned Parenthood. Obama/Biden takes an alternative position on abortion and Planned Parenthood.

“An Investor’s Business Daily/TIPP poll released this week shows that single women favor Obama sixty-three (63) to twenty-three (23) percent, while married women favor Romney fifty-one (51) to forty-one (41) percent. The Voter Participation Center found that single women are the fastest growing large voting group in the country when it comes to sheer numbers.”[i]

About fifty-five (55) million unmarried women will be able to vote in the 2012 Presidential Election. There are more female eligible voters than male, and the proportion of eligible women who will vote is expected to surpass men. With that said, many political analysts argue that single women will determine the outcome of the 2012 Presidential Election and the next as well. As a result, this Presidential Election, women voters have been heavily courted by both presidential candidates.

Will women allow the Romney/Ryan ticket overturn historic legal questions that have been decided concerning women’s health? Decades ago, women’s right to self-determination concerning their health were settled by the US Supreme Court. Under a Romney/Ryan Administration, we may be forced to relitigate settled legal questions about a woman’s right to birth control and abortion. Will well settled legal questions about a woman’s right to self-determination be deemed unconstitutional under a Romney/Ryan administration or will we as a nation return the Obama/Biden ticket to the White House for a second term and in doing so continue to move forward in the area of women’s rights?

Take action that can and will change the future. On November 6, 2012, seize the opportunity to cast your vote. As was aptly stated by President Johnson when discussing the Voting Rights Act of 1965, “The vote is the most powerful instrument ever devised by man for breaking down injustice and destroying the terrible walls which imprison men because they are different from other men.”

Each election day, countless eligible voters deprive themselves of their voting right through complacency or apathy. Don’t be among them—exercise your right to vote.

Source (s):Wikipedia. “On Election Day, Single Women Could Sway The Vote”, Elizabeth Flock U.S. News & World Report, November 2, 2012.

Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art

 

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[i]  “On Election Day, Single Women Could Sway The Vote”, Elizabeth Flock U.S. News & World Report, November 2, 2012.

 

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