How to Raise Awareness for Domestic Violence

From 1992-2000, ccording to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, only 54 percent of domestic violence crimes were reported to the police. This inaction perpetuates dysfunctional patterns. To end this domestic violence and heal the scars it inflicts, follow these steps.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer with Internet access
• Telephone

Take Action Against Domestic Violence

1. Volunteer at a local safe house that offers protection for battered men or women. Your duties may range from preparing meals to counseling victims to helping them find employment.

2. Become a public speaker. Create a format and deliver your information to schools, churches and businesses to raise awareness about domestic violence.

3. Make donations to accredited organizations like the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (see Resources below). Donate money or even your old vehicle.

4. Raise awareness with your language skills. If you speak another language--especially Spanish--domestic violence services can always use translators.

5. Get political to raise awareness. Work to change policy by influencing the government to pass additional laws and higher penalties against domestic violence. Campaign for candidates who specifically oppose domestic violence in their platforms. If you're at a town meeting with local politicians and have an open microphone during the evening, ask them to commit to a policy against domestic violence. Pin them down by requiring each to explain how legislation can stop the crimes.

6. Volunteer at a disaster site. According to the NCADV, disaster sites need even more assistance as already limited resources are affected by the outside situation.

Tips & Warnings

• Spread the word. The more people you involve in your activities against domestic violence, the more you can influence to get involved on their own.
• Report cases of domestic violence that come to your attention. Contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at (800) 799-SAFE or call your local police.
• Help others to know their rights. Victims of domestic violence have the right to receive reasonable protection from their abuser should they wish to press charges, and also have the right to be informed when their former abuser is released from jail.
• Do not get involved in domestic violence cases without professional assistance. Domestic violence can be as simple as punching and kicking, but can escalate as far as murder. Contact 911 and alert the police to avoid putting yourself in harm's way.