The question we ask ourselves during Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM), and throughout the year, is how do we, as a community, turn awareness into action? How do we spark a change across the state?
“Silence Hides Violence: Be a Voice” was the California Victim Compensation Program’s (CalVCP) theme and call to action during DVAM as we step up to make a change and encourage others to do the same.
Domestic violence affects 12 million people every year in the U.S. including men, women, and children. It has many faces as it knows no gender, race or ethnicity. It is no secret that domestic violence occurs; however, it is a silent problem. We must be a voice for domestic violence survivors.
With the signing of AB 1140 earlier this month, the Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board continues to lead the nation in victim services, implementing a wide range of benefit changes that will help victims of domestic violence and other violent crimes. In addition, the Board endorsed changes to victim benefits this month by increasing relocation and funeral benefits, among others, and adding coverage for child care and transportation to crime-related appointments — necessities for domestic violence survivors.
As Jessica Merrill wrote in her guest blog from CPEDV, we in the victim service profession need to “create a culture” where survivors of domestic violence are “supported, believed and protected.” She added that we need to listen to and understand how these groups are marginalized, and how this further inhibits them in their efforts to recover and re-claim their lives.
With DVAM coming to a close, let us commit ourselves and our organizations to this call for action. Working together, we can break the silence that hides the violence. Together, we can better provide the help and the services that our domestic violence survivors need.
