Advertising the Website

Click here to view photos from my trip to advertise the web site. Below is an example of the flier that was handed out.

Help End Domestic Violence


LEARN MORE, SHARE MORE, SAVE MORE

VISIT THE WEBSITE BELOW AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

FEEL FREE TO COMMENT ON THE ISSUES, POST IMPORTANT EVENTS, AND SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES

ALL POSTINGS CAN BE COMPLETELY ANONYMOUS


Visit whiteribbonsociology.blogspot.com

Resources At Syracuse University

One of the most important and successful aspects of Syracuse University's support against domestic violence is the counseling center.  The center helps to identify what domestic violence is, signs of an abusive relationship, and answers some common questions.  For more information about the counseling center click here.  Syracuse University also has a student run organization called A Men's Issue (AMI) which focuses on men taking a stand against domestic violence.

The University has recently partnered with Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) to educate college students on issues surrounding domestic violence.  The program is currently targeted at campus leaders and greek life, however it could be expanded to everyone soon.  The idea behind the program is that students can help to resolve issues that have been traditionally considered "women's issues".  The program was developed at Northeastern University and is in it's second year here at Syracuse University.  For more information you can click here or you can contact MVP at 

Jarrod Chin
Manager of Violence Prevention and Diversity
Center for the Study of Sport in Society
(Non-Profit)
j.chin@neu.edu
360 Huntington Ave., Suite 350 RI, Boston, MA 02125
United States
Tel: 617 373-8420
Fax: 617 373-4566
Website: sportinsociety.org

Please check back as I hope to provide interviews with members of each of these programs

About This Project

This project was motivated completely by professor Herbst. I entered her sociological methods class with little to no idea of what I was getting myself into. I thought the class would be boring, after all it is a methods class. Looking around the room one of the first days I saw a classroom filled with women, with the occasional man scattered about. One of the first things we learned about was othering, "when a divide is created between 'us' and 'them'", and I had already done it: I wasn't one of them.

What did that mean for me? I don't really know to this day, but I do know that I was called to question my own words, to avoid othering by choosing my words carefully. One day we were all asked if we were feminists. Now while this might sound strange if you have read my "About Me" you might understand why I would answer this question yes. I might not be a feminist as your stereotypical portrayal might look and act, but I believe in gender equality, I hope it is something I fight for.

This might explain why I suggested the topic of domestic violence for this project. I must admit that at the time I was stuck in my heteronormative way of thinking and thought of domestic violence as men hitting women. However, this was only my initial way of thinking because of the way society has shaped my thinking. I was encouraged by my professor to continue my research to keep the website updated, and to learn more. I quickly used my sociological imagination and thought about all of the other forms of domestic violence: women abusing men, men abusing men, women abusing women, adults abusing children, siblings abusing siblings. Domestic violence exists on so many levels.

This helped me to think about domestic violence on a larger scale and look for some other programs around the world. You will see from the You-Tube clips that this is indeed a global issue. While I was able to look at this on a larger level I was yet to think about it on a smaller one. As I have stated, I have never been a victim of domestic violence and I am not close with anyone that I know has been abused. So while it was easy to see on a larger scale it took a longer period of time to bring it down to a smaller scale.

I finally decided to take a look at Syracuse University, something that I can connect with, to see what they have done to take a stand against domestic violence. I was happy to learn of some organizations I had never heard of before that are here to help those that have been abused, and others that show their support against domestic violence. The fact that I am a graduating senior and did not know about these programs made me think about my failures to explore and their failure to contact me.

I did not want the same thing to happen with this website, I want word to get out and people to know and to share. I created my own flier that I posted around campus in an attempt to let others know about this website and hopefully use it as a resource. If this site helps one person learn, stop abusing, become a supporter, or seek help then it has been a success. I hope that others will contribute so that everyone's voice can be heard and the fight against domestic violence can grow stronger.

About Me and My Intentions

We have learned in our sociological methods class the importance of understanding one's intersectionality.  This helps the individual to understand who they are, what angle they are approaching an issue from, and expose any biases that one might have.  So in an attempt to remain transparent, justify my beliefs and give the reader some understanding about this project I want to explore my own intersectionality.

Let me start by saying that I have never been a victim of domestic violence and I do not have any close relationships with anyone that has been in a violent relationship.   I am an only child, raised most of my life by a single mother that taught me to respect women, to respect people.  I am from New York, spending most of my childhood in Brooklyn.  I am a senior in college at Syracuse University.  I began this project as a group project for a sociological methods class.  "Why this topic?" you might think.  For me it began because of the Vera House White Ribbon Campaign, which is detailed in other posts on this sight.  Learning about the organization, listening to their campaign, and researching some of the facts made me want to learn more.  I explored many websites detailing the number of victims of domestic violence, I found personal accounts of people that have been abused, witnessed abuse, and been very close to abused people.  

After this project I thought about these outlets, websites, Vera House, support groups around the country and around the world.  I want to provide a voice.  I want people that don't know much about domestic violence to be able to come to this website, read, and learn.  Hopefully, they will then do their part to put an end to domestic violence.  No matter how big or small every change is important.  

For those that are more familiar with domestic violence I wanted to provide a forum.  A place where they can come, and tell people about the work they are doing to end domestic violence.  I wanted a place where victims could tell their own stories anonymously, so that others can clearly identify their own abuse and know they are not alone.  I wanted to provide facts to help dispel any myths and misconceptions.  I hope that people can come here read, learn, discuss, and then continue their research, change their lives, help one another.

Providing A Voice

Many victims of domestic violence never report their abuse.  Those that do speak out might never have their voices heard due to the necessity to remain anonymous.  Some people experience domestic violence at a young age and need to write down their words in order to deal with the difficult memories.  For those that lost their lives due to domestic violence their families might try to speak on their behalf.  The family members may not be able to deal with their emotions on camera and so they are forced to write down their thoughts.  This post was created to provide a voice for some of these people.  All of the written accounts were obtained from endabuse.org and were edited together.  Click here to see the unedited transcripts.

Domestic Violence Statistics

White Ribbon Campaign (unedited) Part 2

White Ribbon Campaign (unedited) Part 1

Clinton Square Kickoff

Vera House White Ribbon Campaign Kickoff
By Marci Haines

The Vera House Foundation kicks-off it’s 10 day White Ribbon Campaign to raise awareness about domestic violence. The kick off took place on Friday, March 28th in Clinton Square. Despite the snow, about 100 members of the community participated in the walk, which ended in Armory Square. To conclude the walk, supporters tied white ribbons around tree trunks, lampposts and street signs to represent the motto NEVER COMMIT, CONDONE OR REMAIN SILENT ABOUT DOMESTIC OR SEXUAL VIOLENCE. Vera House is grateful for the loyal and generous support of so many regional government offices, businesses, agencies, schools and religious organizations for the annual White Ribbon Campaign. Click here to see photos from the event.

Take Back the Night

By Lauren Braun
Take Back the Night is the culmination of the White Ribbon Campaign at Syracuse University, which has been running since March 28. The campaign, which involved the Steps in the Right Direction march and the ongoing sale of white ribbons, wristbands, and lapel pins, is "committed to ending the silence that so often hides abusive behavior toward women" according to Rev. Thomas V. Wolf of Hendricks Chapel (SU Division of Student Affairs). Take Back the Night is an opportunity for members from the SU campus and surrounding community to join together against sexual and domestic violence. The combined rally, march, and speak-out begins at 7:00pm on April 16 at Hendricks Chapel.

Survey Results

1. Universally, what percentage of women do you think has been beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused during their lifetime?
Response
Percent Response
Count
20-30% 14.0% 7
30-40% 20.0% 10
40-50% 18.0% 9
50-60% 30.0% 15
60-75% 18.0% 9

2. What percentage of American women report being physically or sexually abused by a husband or boyfriend at some point in their lives?
Response
Percent Response
Count
20-30% 52.0% 26
30-40% 30.0% 15
40-50% 8.0% 4
50-60% 10.0% 5
60-75% 0.0% 0


3. Are all women, regardless of their race, equally vulnerable to violence by an intimate?
Response
Percent Response
Count
Yes 78.0% 39
No 20.0% 10
Unsure 2.0% 1


4. About what percentage of all female victims of intimate violence report an injury of some type?
Response
Percent Response
Count
20-30% 50.0% 25
30-40% 32.0% 16
40-50% 14.0% 7
50-60% 0.0% 0
60-75% 4.0% 2


5. Based on your answer to question 4, what percent of these females do you think seek medical assistance?
Response
Percent Response
Count
20-30% 64.0% 32
30-40% 16.0% 8
40-50% 8.0% 4
50-60% 10.0% 5
60-75% 2.0% 1

History of Vera House

History of Vera House
By Joe Librizzi

The Vera House was originally founded in 1977 by a group of individuals who felt strongly about making a change to end all domestic and sexual violence. The foundation was named after its leader, Sister Mary Vera. Initially the members of Vera House sought out to create an emergency sheltering service for women in crisis. However, since its founding, Vera House has also focused on many issues of domestic violence including: outreach and advocacy, domestic violence education programming, children’s counseling, the Syracuse Area Domestic and Sexual Violation Coalition.
In 2005, two agencies, Vera House and Rape Crisis Center merged together with similar missions and goals to better serve the Central New York community. The Rape Crisis Center was founded in 1974 by a group of individuals who believed there was a need for support and advocacy services for adult rape victims. The Center expanded its mission throughout the years by providing services to child victims of sexual assault and their families, as well as providing a 24-hour response for victims of sexual assault.




Goals of Vera House
➢ To end all domestic and sexual violence
➢ To assist families in crisis
➢ To support those affected by domestic and sexual violence
➢ To live safe, self-sufficient lives
➢ To empower women and children
➢ To promote a culture of equality and respect in relationships

Visit Vera House Website:
http://www.verahouse.org/index.htm





White Ribbon Campaign
A Public Awareness Campaign Against Domestic & Sexual Violence



The White Ribbon Campaign is a 10-day event that helps to raise awareness about domestic and sexual violence. During this period thousands of Central New Yorkers wear a white ribbon or white wristband showing their support for Vera House and their concern over domestic and sexual violence. The Campaign is lead by men every year and encourages all members of the community, men and women, to take part in the different events.


The 2008 White Ribbon Campaign Events:

➢ Steps In The Right Direction…A March To End The Silence & Stop The Violence
o Friday, March 28th (12pm)
o A walk that marks the start of the campaign where white ribbons will be tied around trees and lampposts.

➢ White Ribbon Campaign Breakfast
o Wednesday, April 2nd (7:30am)
o An inspirational program celebrating the White Ribbon Campaign


➢ White Ribbon Campaign High School Challenge
o Monday, March 31st – Friday, April 4th
o A competition between the city high school and suburban high schools. The school that sells the most white ribbons in the city and suburban areas will receive a prize.



Find out more information about the White Ribbon Campaign:
http://www.verahouse.org/news&events/White%20Ribbon%20Campaign%202008.pdf

White Ribbon Campaign on NCC News

This year Vera House held its 14th annual White Ribbon Campaign to prevent domestic violence. The week long event takes place in the beginning of April which is sexual violence prevention month.  This interview, with Vera House Spokesperson Mike Bristol, ran at Syracuse University on Monday March 31st 2008 and was conducted by Joseph Mauceri.  The unedited version will be available soon.