November 1, 2008

Scholarships available to victims of domestic violence

The Women’s Independence Scholarship Program (www.wispinc.org) in Wilmington, NC has received a $30 million dollar gift from Maryland philanthropist Doris Buffet for scholarships that help women go back to school after leaving abusive partners.

WISP will use the gift to establish its own foundation and continue its work for another 10 years.

Women who are domestic violence survivors can apply through WISP for scholarships to cover the cost of tuition, books, school fees, and related expenses such as child care and transportation. To date, the scholarships have helped 900 women nationwide graduate from school.

Applications and instructions can be found at www.wispinc.org

Teal ribbon a symbol of violence-free life

 
This is something that New Zealand is doing, something I've never heard being done in the US.  Not to say it isn't, but something I haven't heard, and I think it's a wonderful idea!

To be able to give out ribbons that state that you will live a violent free life, and to commit to it, is a powerful message that I feel should be spread not only in New Zealand, but everywhere.  To not just say "Don't do it", but how not too.  To give support in how to not abuse, how to not commit domestic violence. 

This is something I would like to see being done here in the US, and something I'm going to look into further...

Choose to be Violence Free Campaign

Teal Ribbon Week runs from November 3 to 8.
"It’s saying that as a community we’ve got to call a halt to that and find a way of being in relationships that doesn’t require abuse to resolve our difficulties."

This year’s campaign has a new element of promoting family wellness, he says.

"It’s not just about saying ‘don’t do that’ but about what can we do instead.

"It’s about how can a family or couple move to operating healthily and work with their kids in a healthy way?"

Mr Smith says it’s easier to start a conversation about making a relationship or family healthier than simply asking someone "are you hitting your kids?"

"The only way to make long-term changes is not just about stopping something but about starting something else and making it grow."

http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/sundaystartimes/auckland/4745318a6016.html

Join UNIFEM's "Say No To Violence" Campaign

UNIFEM Goodwill Ambassador Nicole Kidman invites you to Say NO to Violence against Women. “One in three women may suffer from abuse and violence in her lifetime. This is an appalling human rights violation. We can put a stop to this. I became UNIFEM’s Goodwill Ambassador to amplify the voices of these women. That’s why I signed my name to this book. It will help UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, a strong supporter of our cause, to strengthen the United Nation’s efforts to fulfil women’s right to a life free of violence. So please join me. And add your name.”

Add your voice to an ever-growing movement of people who call for global action to end violence against women. Goal: One million people to say no to violence, and deliver to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on November 25th. Click here to go to the Say No To Violence website.