YOU can help

 

 

 

 

Make YOUR gift today!

Gender-based violence continues to be a pervasive problem in the United States, with far-reaching consequences:
  • 1 in 4 women will experience domestic violence and, on average, more than 3 women are murdered by their current or former partners in the U. S. every day.
  • Only half of domestic violence incidents are reported to police.
  • 1 in 3 girls is a victim of physical, verbal, or emotional abuse in the U. S.
More stats and a link to more information can be found below.

 

Because we had to cancel this year’s Chefs Take a Stand event, we are holding a campaign to raise funds to support the Aid to Victims of Violence program during YWCA USA’s Week Without Violence, October 18 – 24. Last year the Chefs Take a Stand event raised nearly $10,000. Will you help us top that this year?

Here’s how you can help. Share this email with your friends and ask them to join you in making a gift to the AVV program!


Aid to Victims of Violence (AVV) Program October Fundraiser

October 1-31

There are several ways YOU can support this crucial program throughout Domestic Violence Awareness Month!

 

YOU can help stop domestic violence by supporting the AVV program with a gift today!

Or by participating in any of the special activities listed in this link.

 

 

The YWCA Aid to Victims of Violence (AVV) program provides free and confidential services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, rape, and other crimes.

AVV resides in a safe, secured area of the YWCA facility where advocates assist clients with services including legal referral, advocacy, accompaniment, crisis intervention, and phone counseling via a 24-hour crisis hotline.

AVV offers support groups such as the Women’s Alliance (formerly Model Moms) and prevention education training for all age groups about healthy relationships, victimology, and bystander intervention, among others. It also operates off-site emergency housing for domestic violence victims and their children.

Domestic violence was an epidemic long before COVID-19 appeared. In a six-month period since shutdown in mid-March, the AVV program responded to 2,800 calls to its 24/7 crisis hotline. Last year, the program fielded about 4,000 calls the entire year, so we are seeing an increase in domestic violence incidents in our community.

Support the AVV program with a gift today!

AVV Services and Programming

Advocacy & Services
· 24-Hour Crisis Hotline
· Accompaniment
· Crime Victims Assistance
· Crisis Intervention
· Domestic Violence Shelter
· Support Groups/Counseling

Educational Programming
· Victimology 101
· Bystander Intervention
· Healthy Relationships
· Understanding Consent
· Aspects of Rape Culture
· Sexual Harassment

2019 AVV Data

AVV Hotline (4012 calls)
· 3209 domestic violence
· 199 rape
· 80 child sexual assault
· 45 child physical assault
· 479 “other” crimes

AVV Emergency Housing
· 45 people housed @ our safe dwelling
· 34 adults (women & men)
· 11 children
· 26 families (27 adults, 18 children) placed @ hotels because the safe dwelling was full

More stats on gender-based violence:
  • Every 90 seconds, another American is sexually assaulted.
  • Out of every 1000 cases of rape, only 57 lead to an arrest, 11 are referred to prosecutors, and 7 lead to a felony conviction.
  • 1 of every 4 homeless women is homeless because of violence committed against her, and over 92% of homeless mothers have experienced severe physical and/or sexual abuse during their lifetime.
  • Victims of domestic violence lose about 8 million days of paid work per year because of the violence that they experienced.
  • 81% of all women have experienced street harassment. Among all women, 49% have been sexually touched, 27% have been followed, and 23% have survived sexual assault.
  • Food service and hospitality workers report the highest levels of sexual harassment in the workplace and often have the least amount of employment protections.