The NFL and Social Change: Let s Continue the Conversation to End Domestic Violence

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1 ANDVSA promotes and sustains a collective movement to end violence and oppression through social change. View this in your browser The NFL and Social Change: Let s Continue the Conversation to End Domestic Violence The level of media attention and public outcry around the Ray Rice case of domestic violence is astonishing. We have not seen this level of public dialogue about domestic violence since the O.J. Simpson trial over 20 years ago. Is it just a coincidence that both cases involved the world of the National Football League and its superstar heroes? The current public discourse about domestic violence is complex, and there are many layers to peel back to get at the core of the issue. It is not simply about one individual s assault on his fiancée. It is not simply about an institution s policy to implement weak sanctions, or a decision to strengthen that policy. It is not about why it is so difficult for victims to simply leave an abusive situation. It is also not simply about the graphic evidence of a brutal assault shown in video footage. No, it is much more complex than any of these elements. For the first time in over two decades, people seem to be universally talking openly about domestic violence at their dinner tables, at the water cooler, with their friends, families and coworkers. Everyone has an opinion. But it is important to take a step back and realize that this public conversation involves much more than initially meets the eye. It is true that the world of the NFL, and football culture in general, exalts physical dominance as a virtue. And there is growing research that domestic violence is an even more common problem among football players than it is in the general population. However, it is illogical to draw a conclusion that football is to blame for domestic violence, just as it is shortsighted to think that punishing one football player

2 for one incident, or firing a Commissioner for neglecting to implement more severe policies sooner, will change the predominant cultural norms that perpetuate domestic violence in our society. The reality is that domestic violence exists not only in families where there are football players, but in all types of families. It is estimated that 1 in 4 women experience domestic violence during their lifetimes, more than 12 million people in the United States per year. We do not have the final numbers yet of how many people sought domestic violence and sexual assault services in 2013, but general sentiment from our programs is that we have seen a strong increase in the request for services statewide. As a result, we need to focus on shifting cultural norms that accept or tolerate domestic abuse. If we don t focus on this kind of social change, we will be back here in another 20 years, expressing outrage, yet again, over another high profile case as if it is the first time it has happened. We should not need to see a video to be outraged by the prevalence and severity of domestic violence. The words and experiences of survivors speak for themselves. We shouldn t rush to point fingers as if blaming someone for this assault will solve the epidemic of domestic violence that exists in our communities. Instead, we must be catapulted to action by the events and discussions in the media over the past few weeks. To encourage men to step up, raise this issue, and have difficult conversations among other men about masculinity and violence. To acknowledge the intersections of our discourse with race and gender oppression. To create opportunities for communities to get involved, for bystanders to learn how to intervene effectively, and for institutions to reflect on and strengthen their policies around domestic violence. And through it all, we must never forget that here in Alaska, there are victims of domestic violence in shelters because their homes are not safe. Every one of them, and the dozens more who called our victim service agency hotlines looking for services, deserve our full effort to change society so that all of our institutions, not just the NFL, send a strong message that domestic violence will not be tolerated.

3 Safety Planning in Rural Alaska Date: October 7, 2014 Time: 2-3:30pm (Alaska time) What's New from ANDVSA for Advocates Date: October 14, 2014 Time: 11am-12pm (Alaska time) DV and SA Laws 101 Date: October 21, 2014 Time: 10-11:30am (Alaska time) Criminal Justice and Working with DA s Date: November 4, 2014 Time: 2-3:30 pm These webinars are available for our member and affiliate programs only. For more information, including how to register for these webinars and recordings of past webinars, please contact Ariel Herman at aherman@andvsa.org October is Domestic Violence Awareness & Action Month! Domestic Violence Awareness month began as the "Day of Unity" which was first held in October of The goal was to connect advocates around the country. Today, this is a national event that thousands of people participate in. To learn more about the history visit: Throughout Alaska our programs will be hosting events to raise awareness about domestic violence, honor survivors, and to work together to create positive change in our communities. To see what events are going on in your community, visit: and follow the link to your local program. ANDVSA will be highlighting many of these events on our Facebook page Listed below are some featured events. Anchorage:

4 Wednesday, October 1st from 12pm1pm at the Covenant House Opening Ceremonies for Domestic Violence Action Month Hosted in part by AWAIC Online Course, Understanding Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault A great way to honor Domestic Violence Awareness month is to take this online course! In partnership with University of Alaska Southeast, ANDVSA will host this class beginning on October 1st. The five week online course can be taken at your own pace and it is deisgned to increase your understanding of how domestic violence and sexual assault impacts our world. Ariel Herman, ANDVSA's Training Project Coordinator, will be teaching the course. The deadline to register for this course is October 1st. The course costs $75 for non-members and $55 for members. Scholarships for members and affiliates are available. To learn more and/or register visit: Attorney General Award Jacob Sonneborn, of Ashburn and Barrow: Hosted by AWIC Wednesday, October 1st Pick up flameless candles and purple ribbons at Utiqiagvik Presbyterian Church on Sunday to display in the window on October 1st in solidarity with victims and survivors of domestic violence. Kenai: Hosted by The LeeShore Center The LeeShore Center will be holding their semi-annual Community Awareness Workshop on DV/SA October Invited guest speakers include representatives from the Kenai District Attorney s Office, Office of Children s Services, Independent Living Services, Kenai Police Department, Kenai Youth Facility, and agency staff. Facilitator is Barbara Waters, Educational & Training Coordinator for LeeShore. This 40 hour training costs $35 which covers all materials and is open to the community as well as required training for all new LeeShore staff. Call (907) for more information. Juneau: Events hosted through AWARE 5th Grade Poster Contest Friday, October 3 from 4:30 to 7pm at the JAHC Come see the creative posters Juneau

5 Mason, is the AG Award recipient for outstanding service to domestic violence victims. He will be honored at the annual Domestic Violence Action kick off event in Anchorage on October 1st at noon at the Covenant House. Jacob has helped ten victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking with 13 different family law matters since He is a leader in his firm, encouraging and mentoring other attorneys interested in pro bono work. He is the fourth attorney to receive this award. All prior winners are ANDVSA volunteers are were nominated by us - John Hoag 2010, Allen Bailey 2011 and Danielle Ryman Pro Bono Program: A Year in Review In one year, 280 family law, housing, consumer and/or other civil matters were handled for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault by volunteers and staff attorneys. 350 victims of domestic violence and sexual assault applied for services. ANDVSA provided legal services to 52% of victims who completed the application processes while ANDVSA was unable to serve 48%. 107 cases were handled by volunteers equaling approximately 1.2 million in donated legal services. kids have created! This year's theme was "Ingredients for a Safe Home." UAS Self-defense Class for Women Saturday, October 18 from 10am to 4:30 pm in the Dance Studio at the UAS Rec Center This event is open to UAS women students and faculty only and registration is through the UAS Recreation Center. DVAM Skating Event Wednesday, October 22 from 6:30-8pm at Treadwell Arena In partnership with the National Organization for Women, Treadwell Arena will be turning the ice purple! Proceeds from a towel drive will go to AWARE. For more events in Juneau visit: Petersburg: Hosted by WAVE WAVE is encouraging people to paint their nails purple for October and tag us on Facebook or Twitter #petersburgwave Lead On is a yearly youth leadership conference which takes place in Anchorage, and which engages youth to be leaders and help change norms around teen dating violence in their

6 Thank you to this year's Pick Click Give donors! This year, ANDVSA received $5,350 in donations. This was one of our most successful Pick Click Give campaigns to date. We are grateful for the continued support of Alaskans who are committed to ending domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. schools and communities. At Lead On youth learn skills around healthy relationships, and implement them with projects in their own communities. This year, youth from Akiachak, Alakanuk, Akhiok, Anchorage, Atmautluak, Bethel, Cordova, Dutch Harbor, Dillingham, Fairbanks, Homer, Hooper Bay, Iliamna, Juneau, Kiana, Ketchikan, Kodiak, Kwethluk, Metlakatla, Napaskiak, Nenana, New Stuyahok, Nome, Nulato, Old Harbor, Ruby, Savoonga, Scammon Bay, Sandpoint, St. Michael, St. Paul and Togiak will join us for Lead On 2014 in Anchorage in November. At Lead On, youth and interested communities help plan projects and learn skills around youth leadership and the prevention of violence. To find out more visit or call for more information. On September two trainers, Nadia Feltes and Sherene Abraham, from The National Domestic Violence Hotline joined twenty advocates and ANDVSA staff in Anchorage. The advocacy training covered many amazing topics like: compassion fatigue and fostering

7 resilience, domestic violence and pregnancy and sexual violence. There were many great breakout group conversations about how to answer hotline calls in an effective way, how to work with challenging callers and advocates had time to really work with one another on new ideas for safety planning. friend us on Facebook watch our YouTube channel follow AMCR Twitter forward to a friend Copyright 2014 ANDVSA, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: 130 Seward St., Suite 214 Juneau, Alaska 99801