WHAT CAN I DO?!
From the discussions in class I can say with confidence that the best thing we can do is educate.
Educating people on domestic violence, the signs, the types, inequalities and injustices of it all, can do so much good. Many people haven't heard about what I've covered in this blog nor what I've learned in class. Not everyone knows the signs of abuse, especially emotional abuse, or what to do about it. Many people don't know their options, where to go, how to seek help. Many people don't know how to give help, and even less do. Educating people, can change SO MUCH of this!!
So how do we educate?
On a large level we can try and get all schools to cover the broad topic of domestic violence. It fits well in social sciences, health, and sexual education. It would be so easy to implement a section about DV in schools across the nation. However, it is getting people to start it is the hard part.
We can also do community awareness. We can create groups, posters, and meetings, that talk about DV and list resources that are available. We can even try and create resources in places that don't have any.
Of course, this is all very optimistic. While this sounds easy, it is not. DV is a social problem, and we all need to pitch in to solve it. One person trying to create a DV resource, or change a school policy, or so on will be extremely hard without the help of others with the same passion for this cause.
So how do we get people passionate? - By talking.
I think talking and having REAL conversations about DV and the issues surrounding DV are so very important. We don't have to talk to just victims, or abusers, but even friends, family and acquaintances. When the topic is brought up, or someone is using language that backs up DV beliefs or Rape Culture, speak up! It sounds scary, and it can very well be sometime, but what good you'll be doing! How great will you feel afterwards? Really good!!
As I said before, DV is a social problem. Our society wants us to think that it's a personal problem. But It's not. Our culture feeds us a message that DV is normal. It is not. It will take us all to stop this. You might think that one voice isn't enough. And honestly, it's not a lot. But if we talk and have conversations consistently, we begin to change the minds of those around us. And if we get the people around us to be passionate they will get even more people passionate. The more we talk the more we are heard, and the more we are heard the more join our cause and the closer we will be to finding a solution to this heinous problem.
So talk!! Keep having conversations!! Be part of the 2.5% of people who will make others aware of how their language and actions are used to perpetuate DV and rape culture. Be the 2.5% of people who will go out of their way to help someone and to actively give knowledge and spread it.
And when you're feeling down and feeling like talking isn't working just remember that social change doesn't happen overnight. It takes months, years, decades and centuries to see change. We might not see change in our lifetime, but our future generations will. Leave your signature in history.
To sum up what I have said above I want to share this quote gets me by almost EVERYDAY. I have it posted on the left side bar, but incase you never seen it. It's by Gandhi. He said:
"Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it"
So please. Keep talking, keep spreading the information you've learned here. It might seem insignificant, but in the long-run, it is SO worth it.
Thanks for keeping up with this and giving me our feedback! If you all find more DV issues you want me to research let me know! I want to write plenty more on this topic!!
Until the next one, remember:
-Alex
(P.S. my professor in my Soc of Race and Ethnicity class told us that 2.5% of the population consist of those that speak out. That's where I got that number for those of you who are wondering :) )
RESOURCES:
For those of you in the Moscow/Pullman area:
If you, or someone you know, is dealing with any issue, including IPV or DV you can contact Alternatives to Violence on the Palouse. Their numbers and other resources are posted below.
For those of you who need help nationally you can call the national DV hotline: (1 800 799 SAFE (7233) )
ATVP
Police and Sheriff's Offices, Latah and Whitman Counties Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse 24 hr. Hotline and Crisis Intervention Confidential, safe, free Shelter Legal Advocacy Support Groups Information and Referral Domestic Violence Hotline (Idaho), 24 hrs. Domestic Violence Hotline (Washington), 24 hrs. Hospitals & Medical Centers Gritman Medical Center, Idaho Pullman Regional Hospital, Washington Whitman Hospital (Colfax), Washington Jail, Latah County, Idaho Jail, Whitman County, Washington Therapy/Counseling Latah County Mental Health Palouse River Counseling UI Counseling Center WSU Counseling Center Information and Referrals UI Women's Center UI Violence Prevention Programs WSU Women's Resource Center | 911 (208) 883-HELP or (509) 332-HELP COLLECT CRISIS CALLS ACCEPTED 1 (800) 669-3176 1 (800) 562-6025 (208) 882-4511 (509) 332-2541 (509) 397-3435 (208) 882-2216, ask for Jail (509) 397-6266, ask for Jail (208) 882-0562 (509) 334-1133 (208) 885-6716 (509) 335-4511 (208) 885-6616 (509) 335-6849 (208) 885-6716 (509) 335-4511 (208) 885-6616 (208) 885-2956 (509) 335-6849 |
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