All during the month of January, Aiming Low Does Good is shining the spotlight on Violence Unsilenced and efforts to support victims and survivors of domestic abuse. Last week, we talked about how you can support the VU website and help break the cycle of silence that makes domestic abuse possible.
Today I’d like to suggest something that is, for many of us, a lot scarier:
Taking your support offline.
There is no doubt that the blogs and bloggers we read and interact with on the Internet are a community, one of great influence and significance in many of our daily lives. But there is also a local community right outside your front door, and there are men, women and children in that local community who are suffering right now because of domestic abuse.
I grew up in a home that was filled with verbal and physical abuse long before my mother and I knew about the power of the Internet. What we did know – or thought we knew – was that we were alone. We were poor. And we were trapped.
Even if the Internet had been what it is today, we would not have been able to afford internet service, much less a computer.
There are still families right now, in your town, living with this reality. They are the people you stand behind in line at the grocery store. They are the children that your children go to school with. They are your customers, your friends, and your neighbors. These people, many of whose stories may resemble the testimonies you can read on Violence Unsilenced, need support.
How can you help domestic abuse survivors in your community?
Give money.
Isn’t that always the way it is? Yes. Helping victims of domestic abuse takes money. It is probably the fastest and easiest way for many people to help. Who can you give money to?
The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence works, as the name suggests, on a national level in the United States to fight domestic violence. They work to provide immediate support through things like shelter as well as to prevent domestic violence in the future through public policy.
Shelter from the Storm provides similar support to woman across Canada.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE) provides help to over 600 families across America every day. They, too, depend on financial support from donors to keep their phone lines open to people in need.
In addition to donating to national organizations, you will also find that most states have an organization that is committed to fighting domestic abuse on a regional level. WomensHealth.gov provides a state by state directory.
Give stuff.
Many people who leave their abusers do so with nothing more than the clothes on their backs and their children in their arms. Many shelters that take these survivors in provide everything from clothing to personal toiletry items. You can help by donating items that can be used by survivors or donating to thrift stores run by domestic violence support centers.
Grab a box. Go into your bedroom. Pack up the clothes you have not worn in the last year.
Do the same thing in your children’s rooms.
Consider doing the same thing in your kitchen and bathroom.
Find a local shelter in your area that accepts donations like this.
You can also donate a car or donate a cell phone to support the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
Give time.
At the end of the day, all the money in the world can’t help if there isn’t an ear on the other end of the hotline numbers and a person to open the door at the local shelters. Contact your local shelter to ask about volunteering your time. Be aware that confidentiality is a very big deal at domestic violence shelters, so you should expect to undergo a background screening at the very least.
Do what needs to be done.
Have you ever had a little kid offer to help you in the kitchen? Most of the time their idea of help is less than actually helpful. They want to do the fun stuff, regardless of what actually needs to be done.
Don’t be that kid.
The very best way to help is to contact your state coalition and ask what you can do to help. Or better yet, review their web site and find out how you can get involved on a local level.
Next week we’ll look even closer to home and talk about how you can help a friend who appears to be living with domestic violence.
About Aiming Low Does Good
I used to work at a local United Way and basic, every day items such as: tooth brushes and paste, toilet paper, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, towels, were greatly appreciated at the local Women’s Shelter. You’re so right that often times, when a woman leaves a dangerous situation, she has NOTHING, not even a toothbrush. Good job with this article. It’s good advice not just for January, but all year round.
Great article Britt. As the Development Director for a domestic violence center here in Florida you have touched on all the things that centers need. In the state of Florida, if you are going to be volunteering directly with our participants, you will need to take a 24 hour confidentiality course in addition to the background checks. Volunteering can also be done through Interneship Programs at local University’s. We have 4 Interns working with us right now.
If anyone is being abused or suspects someone of being abused, please call your the National Hotline listed above. Even if you are not sure, but suspect something is happening, make the call. They can provide answers to your questions, support. “If Not Us, Who? If Not Now, When?”
Twitter Name: notagranny
Thank you thank you thank you!