It's Time to Talk Day

September 25, 2007. Liz Claiborne Inc. and REDBOOK have teamed up again for It's Time to Talk Day, a day when women (and men!) are encouraged to destigmatize domestic abuse and increase awareness by talking about it on a personal level, a political level, or in any way that matters to them--just as long as we keep the conversation going. For information, go to loveisnotabuse.com.


Yes, You Can Stop Violence Against Women
By Rebecca Davis

It's unanimous: We all want violence against women to stop. In fact, nine out of 10 women said that ending domestic violence and sexual assault should be the top priority for a new women's movement (according to the Center for the Advancement of Women)--and also for every politician. There are ways you can make this happen--for one woman, and for all.

Stop violence against a friend.( Read more... )

Stop violence against yourself.( Read more... )

Stop violence against every woman.( Read more... )

SCARY STATS

• Three U.S. women are killed every day by a current or former partner.

• Domestic violence is a major cause of death among pregnant women.

• Nearly one third of American women report being abused by a partner at some point in their lives.

• Domestic abuse made up 20 percent of violent crime against women in 2001.

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The only thing I would add to this is that domestic violence is not always a man-on-woman crime. Substitute 'person' for 'man' and 'woman' above and you'll come closer to my thoughts on the matter.

I have a lesbian friend who was beaten and then thrown out of her house by her female partner. I know of gay men who have been victims of domestic abuse. In those cases, and many others, law enforcement is unsympathetic or even mocking towards the victim. I've heard of cops dismissing cries for help with things like "She's just a little thing, how could she hurt a big guy like you?" or "Who cares what happens to fags/dykes?" and the like. It doesn't have anything to do with who's bigger or stronger, physically or any other way.