February is International Prenatal Infection Prevention Month. Infants born to women who are physically abused during pregnancy are at greater risk of low birth weight, pre-term birth, or even death. Children born to abused mothers are 17 percent more likely to be born underweight and more than 30 percent more likely than other children to require intensive care upon birth. Women experiencing abuse in the year prior to and/or during a recent pregnancy are 40 to 60 percent more likely than non-abused women to report high-blood pressure, vaginal bleeding, severe nausea, kidney or urinary tract infections and hospitalization during pregnancy and are 37 percent more likely to deliver preterm.
There are different ways you can help bring awareness to domestic violence not only this month, but all year long. Find out what you can do at your school, clinic, and community by reading the features below. Read our online fact sheets to learn more about the issue and take a look at our online catalog of materials to support your campus activities. Let me know what you’re planning on your campus for February and beyond by sending me an email: email@example.com.
Also, feel free to email me to subscribe to the listserv, ask any questions, or to talk more about campus strategies to help raise awareness of domestic violence.
Family Violence Prevention Fund
Graduate Health Intern
Family Violence Prevention Fund Releases New Safety Cards Geared for Teens
February is Teen Dating Violence Prevention and Awareness Month. Throughout February, organizations and individuals nationwide are coming together to highlight the need to educate young people about healthy relationships, teach healthy relationship skills and prevent the devastating cycle of abuse. With that in mind, the Family Violence Prevention Fund recently released new safety cards, Hanging Out or Hooking Up geared for teens. The card challenges all teens to consider how their boyfriend/girlfriend treats them, identifying dynamics of healthy relationships and signs that may indicate abuse. The card also explores how to confront excessive text messaging and identifies dynamics of consensual versus pressured sex including the ability to use birth control. Tips are provided to those wanting to support a friend who may be facing relationship abuse. The card is written in gender-neutral terms and may be used by females, or males in either heterosexual or LGTBQ relationships. The card lists national toll-free hotlines for support specific to dating abuse, suicide prevention, teen runaway, rape, incest and abuse. This 8-panel card folds up to the size of a business card (3.5” x 2”) and may be distributed directly to youth, or stocked in bathrooms, or health care exam rooms for people to take individually.
Download the PDF version or order hard copies of the Hanging Out or Hooking Up safety card.
For more information on Teen Dating Violence Prevention and Awareness Month, visit teendvmonth.org.
EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Webinar: Teens Trafficked in the US: How You Can Help
The Jewish Women International and National Alliance to End Domestic Abuse is sponsoring a webinar which will be led by Robin Hassler Thompson, JD, MA and Christina Bain on February 3 from 12pm-1pm ET. For more information and to join the session, click here.
Responding to Lifetime Exposure to Abuse in Home Visitation Programs
The Family Violence Prevention Fund is presenting a webinar that answers the question: How does domestic violence interfere with home visitation
goals to improve maternal and child health outcomes? Given the impact of
violence on both mothers and children, how can we promote health and safety,
and strengthen bonding of mothers and children already being seen by home
visitors? This webinar, led by Rebecca Levenson, will explore those questions
and also describe how home visitation programs can better engage mothers and
fathers about parenting after exposure to violence. This webinar will be held on February 8, 2011 at 11am-12pm PST. For more information and to
join this session, click here.
Webinar: The Department of Defense (DOD) Response to Intimate Partner Violence
The Battered Women’s Justice Project is hosting a webinar on February 10 from 3pm-4pm ET on what you need to know about the DOD response to intimate partner violence that will help you be more effective in working with military victims and offenders. This webinar will provide an overview of military structure and culture and the DOD policies and practices for responding to intimate partner violence. For more information and to join this session, click here.
Webinar: Sexual and Intimate Partner Violence
The World Health Organization, Violence and Injury Prevention and Disability is hosting a webinar with speaker Rachel Jewkes on February 17 at 8am Central European Time. For more information on how to join this session, click here.
CURRENT NEWS AND RESEARCH FINDINGS
McGarry, J. et al (2011). “The Impact of Domestic Abuse for Older Women: A Review of the Literature.”Health & Social Care in the Community, 19(1): 3-14
Abstract: The consequences of domestic abuse are far reaching, impacting significantly on long-term health and emotional wellbeing of those affected. However, while the literature offers an insight into the scope and nature of domestic abuse among the younger population in the UK, there is currently little available data regarding older women and domestic violence. This is increasingly being recognized as a significant deficit in awareness and understanding within society as a whole and more particularly for those responsible for support and care provision. While research in this area may be scarce the work that has been undertaken to date would suggest that domestic abuse is both a significant and an under-recognized phenomenon, which has a wide-ranging impact on the lives and health of older women. It also suggests that older women's experiences of domestic abuse are markedly different from those in younger age groups and that these differences have not been adequately acknowledged or accounted for. Given that the UK has an ageing population and that emerging national policy initiatives are beginning to recognize domestic abuse as an issue for older women, it is fundamental that health and social care professionals are able to both identify domestic abuse and understand the particular experiences and needs of older women affected by domestic abuse. The aim of this literature review is threefold: (i) to provide a comprehensive summary of the impact of domestic abuse for older women particularly within the context of health, (ii) to explore the particular barriers to recognition and reporting abuse and (iii) to highlight the particular gaps in our knowledge and understanding from a policy and care provision perspective. A systematic approach to a review of the literature was used to identify key literature and available evidence relating to domestic abuse among older women. Click here to read the article.
[Source: Web of Knowledge]
Wong, J. et al (2011). “Depression Among Women Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence in a Chinese Community.” Nursing Research, 60(1): 58-65
Abstract: Background: Depression is one of the significant mental health impacts of intimate partner violence. However, there is a lack of empirical evidence on the factors associated with depression among abused Chinese women. Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify the factors associated with a higher level of depression among abused Chinese women. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with participation of 200 abused Chinese women in a local community center in Hong Kong. The measurement tools used are the Chinese Abuse Assessment Screen, the Chinese Beck Depression Inventory Version II, the Revised Conflict Tactics Scale, the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List 12, and the demographic data. Structured multiphase regression analysis was used for data analysis. Results: Factors significantly associated with a higher level of depression in Chinese abused women were low educational level (estimate = -2.49, p = .038), immigration (estimate = 4.99, p = .025), financial support from friends and relatives (estimate = 4.72, p = .006), and chronic psychological abuse (estimate = 0.09, p < .001). A protective factor against depression is the perception of social support (estimate = -1.11, p < .001). Discussion: An overwhelming number of abused Chinese women have moderate or severe levels of depression. There is a need for more awareness of the detrimental mental health impact of abuse on women, screening for depression when women are found to be abused, and provision of social support at an earlier stage to minimize depression. Click here to view the article.
[Source: Web of Knowledge]
Keeling, J. et al (2011) “Postnatal Disclosure of Domestic Violence: Comparison with Disclosure in the First Trimester of Pregnancy.” Journal of Clinical Nursing, 20(1-2): 103-110
Abstract: Aims and objectives: This study explored the prevalence rates of domestic violence reported during the first trimester of pregnancy and in the postnatal period. Background: Domestic violence is known to have a deleterious effect on the physical and psychological well-being of a woman, with an adverse effect on the unborn child. Design: A validated anonymous and self-administered questionnaire (Abuse Assessment Screen) using five closed questions was used for data collection in all samples. All women were approached alone, and the questionnaire was completed in private. Method:Drawn from the same geographical area, this survey collected data from women accessing hospital clinics, in a large university teaching hospital in the UK. Results: Comparing self-reporting rates of domestic violence in the first trimester of pregnancy to the postnatal period yielded statistically significant results (p < 0 center dot 01). Only 7 center dot 3% booking-in clinic and 8% postnatal women reported violence at some stage in their life, whilst higher rates in pregnancy counseling clinic (35 center dot 1%) and early pregnancy unit (26%) were reported. However, the reported rates of domestic violence in the year before the women were pregnant revealed a different trajectory. Lower rates of domestic violence were evident in three samples. Conclusions: The disparity in disclosure rates of domestic violence suggests that an emotional inhibitory response to disclosure may occur at specific periods of pregnancy and that the timing of asking about domestic violence may be critical to this disclosure. The pandemic nature of domestic violence reflects the need for practice in maternity care to reflect the changing needs of a woman during her gestational experience. Relevance to clinical practice: The primary objective of health care providers should be to engage a pregnant woman in a meaningful relationship, gaining her trust to facilitate the disclosure of domestic violence. Hence, whatever the policies for the provision of maternity care, the changing needs of a pregnant woman must be met. To read this article, click here.
[Source: Web of Knowledge]
FUNDING LINKS-SCHOLARSHIPS-RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES
Funding Opportunity: Core Violence and Injury Prevention Program- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The overall purpose of this program is to assist State Health Departments (SHDs) to build and/or maintain effective delivery systems for dissemination, implementation and evaluation of best practice programs and policies. This grant awards up to $250,000 to the qualifying applicant. The closing date to apply is February 8, 2011. To view and apply for this grant, click here.
Funding Opportunity: 2012 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Resource Guide- Office for Victims of Crime
This competitive program will award one cooperative agreement of $360,000 to a nonprofit organization, faith- or community-based organization, or a public agency to produce a comprehensive kit that will serve as a resource for the victims' field to support efforts to heighten the public's awareness of crime victim issues during National Crime Victims' Rights Week (NCVRW) in April 2012 and throughout the year. The deadline for the application is February 14, 2011. To read more about this opportunity and to apply, click here.
Call for Workshop Proposals: Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs Annual Conference
The theme of the 2011 conference is “Sustaining Through Innovation.” In order for our field to move forward with purpose, we need to join together with resilient strength and creativity. Our Annual Conference welcomes fresh perspectives and diverse voices to create sustainable solutions in our work towards ending sexual violence. The goals of our conference are to unite agencies and individuals working to end sexual violence, to provide educational opportunities to deepen our understanding of sexual violence, and to facilitate social change. If you are interested in hosting a training workshop, click here for more information and an application. The deadline for applications is February 8, 2011.
Call for Proposals: 2011 Annual Conference- Georgia Commission on Family Violence
Applications for presenters at the 2011 Annual Conference for the Georgia Commission on Family Violence are currently being accepted. For more information about the conference and to apply as a presenter, click here. The deadline for applications is February 18, 2011.
Call for Proposals: Second World Conference of Women’s Shelters- National Network to End Domestic Violence
The National Network to End Domestic Violence is looking for proposals related to violence against women and shelters and safe spaces. If you have innovative practices, knowledge and skills that will give delegates tangible tools and knowledge to take home, we encourage you to submit a proposal. The deadline for submitting proposals is February 27, 2011. To learn more about the conference and to apply, click here.
JOB AND INTERNSHIP LISTINGS
Domestic Violence Advocate- Alternative to Violence of the PA- Moscow, ID
This full time position requires skills in victim focused philosophy, strong communication skills, and domestic or sexual violence service experience. For more information or to apply for this job, click here.
Abuse/Domestic Violence Specialist- Anne Arundel Medical Center- Annapolis, MD
This part time position provides crisis intervention services to victims of child abuse, vulnerable adult abuse, sexual assault and domestic violence. For more information on this position or to apply for this job, click here.
Counselor I- Domestic Violence Empowerment Initiatives & Rape Crisis- CMABA- Brooklyn, NY
The responsibilities of this position include providing individual and/or group counseling sercives to assist participants and their families achieve healthy relationships, emotional stability, personal development and/or adjustment and counseling participants regarding issues such as abusive behavior. To learn more about this position and to apply, click here.
Domestic Violence Prevention Specialist- National Law Enforcement Museum- Washington, D.C.
This short-term contract position works with the kIDsafe program with the focus of his or her work on the development of two domestic violence related components that increase children’s preventive strategies regarding conflict situations, bullying, and teen dating violence. For more information on this job and to apply, click here.