Volume 27| Issue 2 | Februrary 2020
FEBRUARY UPDATES
The Tenth Anniversary of Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM) is coming to an end but there is much that can  be done to address and prevent Teen Dating Violence all year long . Each year,  TDVAM provides us with an important opportunity to raise awareness and education about an issue affecting teenagers in New York State and across the nation. This month was a time to come together under the #1thing Campaign theme and talk about healthy and unhealthy relationship behaviors, recognizing warning signs, connecting adolescents to support and resources and identifying innovative strategies for preventing dating abuse from happening in the first place. Break the Cycle called to turn outrage into action for social transformation and launched the #1thing campaign by " Love is Respect " and “The National Resource Center on Domestic Violence ".  New York State Domestic Violence service providers used the opportunity to start social media campaigns and utilize their platforms to mobilize their own communities.  Programs across the state such as Fearless! Hudson Valley , Oswego County Opportunities , and Grace Smith House are all programs that adopted the campaign.  

Several NYSCADV member programs also held community events, workshops and campaigns for Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Willow Domestic Violence Center of Greater Rochester's #GenZero Campaign to eliminate dating violence continued for the second year. Student Activists Ending Dating Abuse (SAEDA) of the Center for Safety and Change continued their series of training and workshops in high schools. Domestic violence program of Unity House of Troy did extensive outreach to the community and will be holding a " Leap Into Healthy Relationship s" community event with its partners. Safe Center of Long Island launched the Campus Thursday program in February to engage students, faculty and staff on college campuses.,
 
We are proud of this critical work that domestic violence programs are doing across the state to raise awareness and to create change in our communities. With 1 in 3 adolescents experiencing abuse in a relationship and with teens engaging in coercive and abusive behaviors at higher rates than ever before, we are confronted with a national epidemic. As a state and in our communities, we must provide safe, open and nurturing environments for teens that may need help but also for teens who are interested in taking leadership roles in addressing the issue. If we educate our youth in the early stages of their development about healthy and respectful relationships behaviors, it can have a positive influence in their relationships, and in their safety and overall wellness, throughout their lives.

RESOURCES FOR ENGAGING YOUTH ALL YEAR ROUND
NYSCADV’s Prevention priorities for 2020 include reinvigorating a statewide community of practice around Engaging Men and Boys to address gender-based violence. In keeping with that goal we are conducting an extensive literature and program/strategy review so that we may include innovating strategies in our online Prevention Toolkit . Here is a sampling of the resources we would like to bring your attention to that specifically engage young people and/or their influencers: t:

  • Men as Peacemakers is an organization that aims to end violence against women and children. Specifically, MAP focuses on preventing sexual assault, dating violence, and domestic violence perpetrated against women, girls, and boys. MAP engages men, with women, in preventing and repairing the harm predominantly caused by males. MAP, in collaboration with the Minnesota Department of Education, developed an interactive on-line training called Coaching for Change that provides examples of how to recognize and address issues of sexual harassment, sexual abuse, teen dating violence, and domestic violence to coaches on the ground. The training focuses on the primary prevention of these behaviors by introducing skills and strategies which create a team culture of gender equity and respect. MAP also developed the BEST Party Model, an innovative approach to sexual assault prevention on college campuses. It includes a comprehensive package of resources that involves college men and women in shaping safe, respectful, and fun party environments that will help prevent sexual violence.
  • White Ribbon is the world’s largest movement of men and boys working to end violence against women and girls and to promote gender equity, healthy relationships and a new vision of masculinity. The White Ribbon Campaign is a collection of tools, strategies and models that challenge negative, outdated concepts of manhood and inspire men to understand and embrace the incredible potential they have to be a part of positive change. Check out their How To Promote Healthy Masculinity: 10 tips for promoting healthier masculinities among boys and young men.
  • Men Can Stop Rape mobilizes men to use their strength for creating cultures free from violence, especially men's violence against women. Check out their website for more information and check out their Where Do You Stand? campaign.
  • Coaching Boys Into Men (CBIM) is an excellent evidence-based prevention program that trains and motivates high school coaches to teach their young male athletes healthy relationship skills and that violence never equals strength. Designed for both middle and high schools, there are also programs adapting it for use on college campuses.
  • Athletes As Leaders is a program for high school athletes on girls’ sports teams. The program aims to empower student athletes to take an active role in promoting healthy relationships and ending sexual violence. Athletes are encouraged to be leaders in changing social norms at school (and beyond) to a culture of safety and respect.
  • Mentors in Violence Prevention: MVP Violence Prevention: Mentors in Violence Prevention is a leadership program that motivates both men and women to play a central role in solving problems that historically have been considered women’s issues: rape, battery, and sexual harassment. The MVP program employs a train the trainer and peer leadership approach to bystander intervention. A group of staff trainers facilitate discussion sessions for student participants, who go on to facilitate co- educational sessions for their peers. Topics include: how to respond to actual or potential abuse or harassment, how to confront peers about sexist behaviors, how to support peers who are the victim of gender violence, and how to create a safe, non-violent school environment.
  • Tough Guise 2: In this highly anticipated update of the influential and widely acclaimed Tough Guise, pioneering anti-violence educator and cultural theorist Jackson Katz argues that the ongoing epidemic of men's violence in America is rooted in our inability as a society to move beyond outmoded ideals of manhood. In a sweeping analysis that cuts across racial, ethnic, and class lines, Katz examines mass shootings, day-to-day gun violence, violence against women, bullying, gay-bashing, and American militarism against the backdrop of a culture that has normalized violent and regressive forms of masculinity in the face of challenges to traditional male power and authority. Along the way, the film provides a stunning look at the violent, sexist, and homophobic messages boys and young men routinely receive from virtually every corner of the culture, from television, movies, video games, and advertising to pornography, the sports culture, and U.S. political culture. 
  • The Mask You Live in: The Mask You Live In follows boys and young men as they struggle to stay true to themselves while negotiating America’s narrow definition of masculinity.

Take A Stand for Healthy Relationships is an exciting new program from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) and Discovery Education that teaches students how to understand and build healthy relationships. New standards-aligned curriculum will encourage important skills in communication and self-awareness.

POLICY CORNER
NYSCADV 2020 Budget Advocacy Day Recap

NYSCADV's 2020 Budget Advocacy Day was on Tuesday, February 4th, 2020. Domestic violence programs across New York State participated virtually and/or in person by coming to Albany to meet with their legislators. Together, we asked the Legislature to support the following budget priorities:
  1. To take the first step toward modernizing the way domestic violence services are funded and provided to survivors by supporting the Governor’s pilot of an innovative, survivor-centered flexible funding model for DV services — a $5 million proposed allocation in the FY’20-FY’21 Aid to Localities Budget. 
  2. To increase funding for non-residential domestic violence services to $6 million because currently in the state budget it is at the same level it was 20 years ago when it was first proposed.
  3. Provide $150,000 in the state budget to strengthen NYSCADV’s efforts to provide statewide training and technical assistance to domestic violence service providers. 
  4. Provide $4 million for primary prevention initiatives focused on stopping violence before it begins.
Beyond NYSCADV's 2020 Budget Advocacy Day, NYSCADV is continually advocating for continued and increase support for domestic violence issues and domestic violence programs. We will keep you all updated as the budget progresses.

NYSCADV NEWS UPDATES
NYSCADV'S UPCOMING TRAININGS & EVENTS

Join us and support a great cause: New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Enjoy great drinks, hors d'oeuvres, and an auction to help us raise funds.

Survivor's Financial Empowerment: An Overview of Moving Ahead Through Financial Management Curriculum Webinar: February 27th, 2020 10:00AM-11:30AM

Economic abuse is a prevalent form of domestic violence. Indeed, by some estimates, 99% of survivors are impacted by some form of economic abuse. In the short-term, economic abuse can hinder survivors’ ability to escape an abusive relationship. In the long-term, economic abuse can carry devastating consequences, including ruined credits, employment issues, homelessness, and legal issues. These consequences adversely affect survivors’ ability to achieve financial stability and security after leaving their abusers. The New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NYSCADV) developed this webinar based on the “Moving Ahead Through Financial Management” curriculum, first created by the Allstate Foundation and NNEDV. Topics covered during this webinar include: signs of economic abuse, safety planning with survivors of economic abuse, fundamentals of financial planning and budgeting, factors that affect credit, savings strategies, and short-term and long-term financial planning. Advocates who attend this webinar will come away with an increased understanding of trauma-informed, survivor-centered services to survivors of economic abuse.


The NYSCADV annual meeting is designed to provide:
  • a forum for programs from across the state to network and get a state-wide perspective on domestic violence services
  • professional and organizational development opportunities for domestic violence advocates
  • an overview of NYSCADV's 2019 activities and plans for the upcoming year
SAVE THE DATES
  • May 12, 2020: NYSCADV Legislative Day of Action
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