Preaching to the Chior

One of the biggest issues surrounding domestic violence efforts, and there are many, is the "preaching to the choir" problem. After attending many events over the past several months, I notice the same people over and over. Don't get me wrong, I love to see these wonderful human beings; however, in order to make cultural change, our efforts need to break out of the advocacy circle and into the general populace.

Today, I attended the forum meeting for the Purple Ribbon Study Circle pilot program to see the outcome, and of course bring the Bravery portraits to share. After all the groups around the valley presented their study circle results, we ended up with three main focuses: Education, Awareness, and System Changes. Nothing new here. The pilot stats also showed that most of the participants were also staff/advocates or survivors in the field. Nothing new again. Nonetheless, it was a wonderful beginning with lots of fertile ideas and passion, which is what this movement needs.

As my Monty Python heroes like to say, "And now for something completely different". I will begin some change in the language I use to promote Bravery. In order to be more inclusive of the many issues about domestic violence, I will start calling it domestic abuse. How will this make a difference? Public perception by rebranding the issue.


Here is a nice concise definition of abuse from answers.com:
Abuse is defined as any thing that is harmful, injurious, or offensive. Abuse also includes excessive and wrongful misuse of anything. There are several major types of abuse: physical and sexual abuse of a child or an adult, substance abuse, elderly abuse, and emotional abuse. (let's not forget animals too.)

Now the noun definition of domestic violence from answers.com:
Violence toward or physical abuse of one's spouse or domestic partner.

I noticed that Donna Bartos, the founder of the Purple Ribbon Council and Study Circles, uses this language. She brought up good points about how words are portrayed with cultural beliefs. As advocates, we know that domestic violence isn't just physical abuse among spouses, but most people still see that very definition. Domestic abuse has a broader meaning that encompasses any domestic or familiar situation in it's relation to any form of abuse, which encompasses all types of individuals no matter age, race, history, gender, or leg count (pets). As one small step for human/animal rights, I encourage you to join me in this vernacular.

Purple Ribbon Study Circles

Abuse defined (all on one page)

DV Awareness Activities

There are lots of events happening now that Domestic Violence Awareness has begun.

One event that I must mention was the Herberger showing of Domestic Violence...the Musical? Since working with John and Linda King, I was very excited to see the performance on Sept. 22nd and it was awesome. Please take a look at the website and the photos from that show. I strongly encourage you to bring this one hour enlightenment to your community. It's one of the most powerful ways to teach people "why she doesn't just leave".



A very fun event that Bravery had the opportunity to participate in was the Girls Night Out at Dolce Salon and Spa, Arrowhead location in Peoria. What a fun night that was. Little did I know that we would be hosted at a three story building with a live band on top with wine and food, musician at the first floor with spa services, and a Bravery gallery on the second floor. It was a wonderful evening with a program featuring Ali Vincent, the first female winner, of the hit TV show The Biggest Loser.

Although the evening sports lots of girly activity, GNO is important because it raises money for programs that provide shelter and services to victims. So far there are 12 of them happening this month around the country. Way to Go!

Coming up next Monday is the Mesa Community College Domestic Violence Awareness Conference that you all should definitely visit. Visit the webpage that features the program with all the workshops and keynote. This is going to be a knockout experience. It's a community event open to the everyone and I guarantee you will learn something new and interesting about domestic violence. Additionally, 9 of the original portraits from Bravery are on display in the lobby of the Paul Elsner Library throughout October.


I have decided to add a little more to my plate and participate in the Purple Ribbon Study Circles that was created by the Purple Ribbon Councel. This is a pilot program in which community and industry people come together for one meeting a week for one month and discuss the issues about domestic violence and how to help solve them. YES! It takes only a couple of hours a week and refreshments are provided. I will write about this more in upcoming posts as it's an important tool for problem solving. If you are interested in more information about it and want to participate, please email Sowmya Ayyer.

Speaking of which, stay tuned because after the events are over, I will be sharing a lot of new useful information gleaned from all of these activities. In the meantime, I hope to see you.