Domestic Violence Awareness Month did not go unnoticed by our President and Vice President. On October 27, 2010, President Obama and Vice President Biden hosted an event to highlight their efforts to end violence against women. Television star Mariska Hartigay was in attendance and baseball manager Joe Torres spoke about his experiences growing up in an abusive household, bringing national attention to the issue of intimate partner violence and its affects on children. President Obama announced definitive actions that his administration would take towards ending intimate partner violence. These actions include steps to: Protect Children and Break the Cycle of Violence Improve Legal Protections for Victims of Domestic Violence Increase Sexual Assault Arrests and Successful Prosecutions Help Victims Regain Housing and Financial Independence Read more about this powerful day here and here. – Susan Landrum

Phew! What an October it was! Domestic Violence Awareness Month always leaves me feeling exhausted after events, presentations and many opportunities to educate the community about intimate partner violence. This October was no exception and by the time November rolled around this week, I was ready for a deep breath and a long nap. But then I met Kim* and was re-energized. The other morning, I went to vote at my local precinct and as I was walking in, a woman was walking out, proudly sporting her sticker and a purple ribbon on her chest. I smiled at her and let her know that I really liked her ribbon. She stopped me in disbelief and asked if I knew what it stood for. I told her that I am the volunteer director at PADV and that ending domestic violence was something I felt passionately about and she threw her arms [...]

This past week Christina Aguilera was spotted pumpkin shopping with a bruised lip. Of course the rumors and gossip ensued. There were several reports indicating that she and her estranged husband had gotten into an altercation. But sources close to her confirmed that there was no violence between the couple – she simply fell. Or did she? But it got me thinking. What woman wants to disclose to her friends and family, let alone the entire world, that she is a victim of intimate partner violence when our society is so quick to judge? Not too long ago, graphic photos of Rihanna’s bruised and swollen face, accompanied by reports that she was beaten by Chris Brown, were plastered all across the media. And what happened?   Maybe for the first five seconds, we were sympathetic. But then I heard the unthinkable. I heard people say, “What did Rihanna do to Chris [...]

Heather Mendenhall, daughter of Cathy Lorraine Mendenhall-McNaughton, attended PADV’s Silent No More Candlelight vigil last year in 2009, just  eight months after her mother was brutally murdered by her stepfather. At this year’s vigil held on October 7, 2010, Heather and her sister Michelle shared their mother’s story to help other families avoid the grief, loss and regret that they feel and probably always will feel — in hopes of helping other women like their beloved mother, Cathy.  Their story was incredibly moving and with Heather’s permission I share an excerpt below:    My mother, Cathy Loraine Mendenhall- McNaughton was a loving mother and friend … she was a beautiful woman both inside and out—warm-hearted with a generous spirit… and an insatiable personality.  On February 15th, 2009, my mother was murdered at the hands of her husband, Alec Bryant McNaughton. In May of 2006, my mother called and told me that [...]

The first national domestic violence toll-free crisis line was established in 1987. It was also the beginning of a national, annual Domestic Violence Awareness Month each October. I’ve been giving a great deal of thought as to how it may be that October is fitting for such a movement in our society. As the golden leaves flutter to the ground, crunching beneath our feet, we can choose to believe they are symbolic of the death of summer, or we can choose to believe they are instead a symbol of hope for rebirth when the trees will once again blossom with growth and renewal in the spring. So too can we believe in new life and new hope for domestic violence survivors as they move toward a life of safety. Our October thoughts also turn to Halloween, which is supposed to be “scary.” Domestic violence is very scary and also ironic [...]