Voices Against Violence
The process to determine how to reduce domestic violence in the area started in 2005 when TWF convening thirty-five domestic violence experts in Alabama. Those experts told us that despite almost 30 years of effort domestic violence has not been reduced significantly. Providing intervention services to victims, passing laws to protect victims, teaching girls and women personal safety techniques, and educating women about the abuse cycle has not been enough to combat intimate partner violence. Jefferson County has the highest rates of domestic violence in Alabama. In 2004, five women were killed by men who were supposed to love them and six more women died at the hands of their husband, boyfriend, or ex-husband in 2005. We asked: What will it take to see the rates diminish? 1. There is a legal conundrum that inhibits predictable, equitable, severe consequences for those convicted of domestic violence. There are 34 municipalities in the greater Birmingham area and no system to share domestic violence arrest records. There are 34 separate units investigating domestic violence rather than teams trained in domestic violence investigations that cross municipal boundaries. There are too many incidences in which the lack of forensic evidence collected results in the futility of “victimless prosecution.” The criminal justice system is not holding perpetrators accountable. 2. Men do not claim this as a "men’s issue.” Domestic violence has been labeled a women’s issue. According to Jason Katz, author of The Macho Paradox (2006), the vast majority of domestic violence is perpetrated by men on women and ownership of an issue should reside with the source of the problem. We ask “Why doesn’t she leave?” We need to ask, “Why does he batter?” 3. Did you know that there is not even a term for “domestic violence” in the Latino community? Did you know that many residents in our community think that domestic violence is related to poverty? Did you know that when a man chokes his intimate partner, it is a misdemeanor? Hands are not considered lethal weapons. Some people think that domestic violence is the victim’s fault, or that the victim has the power and resources to just leave the situation. Many people assume domestic violence is an anger management problem. It is a power and control issue. We don’t have the facts. The Women’s Fund recognizes that the community’s outstanding services in the domestic violence arena typically receive funding for intervention programs, but funding for initiatives that actually reduce domestic violence is extremely limited. To reduce the incidence of domestic violence... 1) Hold Perpetrators Accountable 2) Ask Good Men to stand up against domestic violence 3) Increase Community Awareness and Educate the broad base of residents and professionals about why men batter The Women's Fund is committed to five years of fundraising and grantmaking with the goal of reducing domestic violence in the Greater Birmingham areas by 25% by 2015. YEAR I 2007: $80,000 The first of a 3-5 year effort to fund the necessary changes was awarded in a 2006-07 grant to lead agency, the Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ACADV). The grant: Year I Results: With the addition of the Birmingham Municipal Court’s domestic violence court, the greater Birmingham area now has a powerful triad of courts that hear the majority of domestic violence cases in the State of Alabama. The 3 judges (Bessemer, Jefferson County and Birmingham Municipal meet monthly for peer consultation. ACADV leveraged a federal Law Enforcement grant to initiate a shared information system for piloted with the triad of judges. YEAR II 2008: $56,000 The second year grant award for $56,000 will sustain and continue its work with Birmingham Municipal Court, build the Coordinated Community Response Team, further efforts to involve men as part of the solution through workplace initiatives, and assess needs in family court for funding best practices. YEAR II Objectives: 1. Provide Technical Assistance from the ACADV in 3 venues: 2. Sustain 1 full-time YWCA court advocate position in Birmingham Municipal Court. 3. Support Jefferson County Coordinated Community Response Team (CCR) with funding for staff position. 4. Continue to build coalition through Jefferson County Coordinated Community Response Team to pursue national foundation grant for initiative within 2 years. 5. Advocate with local elected officials to designate a municipal prosecutor position as specialized prosecutor in domestic violence. Year II Results: Achieved April 2008 a 2.5 day per week dedicated docket for domestic violence cases in Birmingham Municipal Court (backlog of over 700 cases had to be cleared to reduce number of days d.v. cases heard); Jefferson County Family Violence Coordinated Community Response completed policy assessments for two “first responders” in the domestic violence arena; 12 corporations have instituted or are in the process of implementing Domestic Violence Safety Polices in the workplace. Birmingham appointed (10/08) a special prosecutor for domestic violence cases. Public Service Announcement featuring a man telling other men to get help instead of battering donated and aired on 7 channels. Attained grant from Verizon Foundation to support initiative. YEAR III 2009: $105,000 YEAR III Objectives: Please join us to fund the 4th year of grantmaking. The 2009 campaign begins April 1 and ends June 15. Hear Judge Agnes Chappbell's talk about Domestic Violence Thanks to Charter Media for donating the production of this vide Download Sponsorship Form Hereo Research
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We are Changing Judicial Response and Changing the System!
