1in4: Use your voice!

We hear the slogan “Break the silence; End the violence” in relation to Domestic Violence so very often, but what does this really mean?  How can being vocal bring about the end of violence?

For me, this means two things:

Firstly is on a micro scale, when one person experiencing Domestic Violence speaks out, seeking help, it can bring about the end of violence in that one particular incident — one person saved by finding a voice and saying “This isn’t right; I deserve to be treated better, not because I am better than anyone else, but by the simple fact that I am human and what is being done to me is not acceptable.”  There are supports in place to help that one person, if they only ask for it.

The second way is on a macro level, the big picture — the more people who are leaving potentially or actually violent situations, and using their voice to speak out about what happened to them (women like Jennifer Corsini or any other women who have openly stated that violence is not okay!) the more public awareness there is about what Domestic Violence looks like and the more chance for policy changes, both at the Government level (laws, sentencing guidelines, etc) as well as what I consider ‘the street’ level (Police procedures, funding for Shelters and counseling, etc).

1 in Four: the domestic violence project also represents a dichotomy in action — we see ourselves as the bridge between services available to survivors, by providing a consolidated monthly calendar of the events happening in the city at the various agencies associated with supporting survivors, as well as links to the agencies and a blog following our own stories and thoughts on the subject…. but we also see this website as a platform for change — we want to hear your voices, your stories, your experiences… we want to know what has worked for you and what hasn’t … are there things in the groups, shelters, police interaction, legal system, etc that could be changed to help better facilitate those going through the difficult experience of Domestic Violence?  We want to give you a place to discuss these thoughts with fellow survivors, but also a place where we can invite members of the public sector, like politicians and lawyers and police officers, nurses, educators and social workers and therapists…  If there is one portion of the population that is an expert on the many different faces of Domestic Violence, it is the survivors themselves. The wealth of knowledge we have to share, to help bring about change, is one of our greatest assets.  Without using our voices, without expressing out thoughts, concerns and pleas for change, there simply is no chance.

I know Cathy does a wonderful job writing these blogs with a balance of stories from her own experience, along with sharing options for women… she isn’t pushy and she has miraculously found a way to discuss Domestic Violence without being overtly morose. Today, however, I am really inviting you to check out the 1 in Four FORUM section. I am inviting you to create an account and to use your voice. Let us know about your experiences; let this be a platform where you can share your complaints or your praise for the system that helped you to leave; share your fears about why you haven’t left; ask questions about where and how you can get your needs met…

The word ‘forum’ comes from ancient Rome, a place of assembly; it is seen as a place for public discussion.  1 in Four is just about to reach 6 months of being a web presence. I would love to see this date marked with some active discussion in the forum between all of the brave women willing to Break the Silence and End the Violence.