FACTS ABOUT STALKING What is Stalking? While legal definitions of stalking vary from one jurisdiction to another, a good working definition of stalking is: a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear. Who are the Victims of Stalking? An estimated 6-7.5 million people are stalked…
The first DVAM was held in October of 1987, the same year that the first national toll-free domestic violence hotline was launched. US Congress designated DVAM by law two years later. Domestic violence is violence or abuse that happens in a domestic setting. It’s a serious problem that affects many families and does not only…
Dating abuse is a pattern of destructive behaviors used to exert power and control over a dating partner. While we define dating violence as a pattern, that doesn’t mean the first instance of abuse is not dating violence. It just recognizes that dating violence usually involves a series of abusive behaviors over a course of…
November 16-24 is National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week Homelessness is not just about real estate. It’s about vulnerability. According to the National Law Center on Homelessness, every year alone over 3.5 million Americans experience homelessness, and well over 1 million of them are children. DomesticShelters.org reports that domestic violence is often a contributor or cause of homelessness. …
November is National Homeless Youth Awareness Month. Every year, hundreds of thousands of American families become homeless, including more than 1.6 million children. An estimated 700,000 are unaccompanied youth under the age of 18. The number of homeless youth is likely much higher than reported. Homeless youth tend to be a hidden population and have a harder…
If you are in immediate danger, please: Call 911.Call your local hotline.Call a national hotline. Call the U.S. National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or TTY 1-800-787-3224. Call, text or chat Love Is Respect—The National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline: 1-866-331-9474 or TTY 1-866-331-8453, text “loveis” to 22522 or live chat at http://www.loveisrespect.org. Call the U.S. National…
Sexual violence is any type of unwanted sexual contact, ranging from sexist attitudes and actions to rape and murder. Sexual violence can include words and actions of a sexual nature against a person’s will. An offender might also use force, threats, manipulation, or coercion to commit sexual violence. Sexual violence is preventable through collaborations of…
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Sexual violence is one of the most under-reported crimes, yet when victims come forward they too often endure attacks on their credibility and character. It is time to change a culture that protects perpetrators over victims. #SAAM
NCVRW will be commemorated April 8–14, 2018. This year’s theme — Expand the Circle: Reach All Victims — emphasizes the importance of inclusion in victim services. The theme addresses how the crime victims field can better ensure that every crime victim has access to services and support and how professionals, organizations, and communities can work…