Category: Domestic Violence

PR: Fatal Error: Flawed Fact Sheets Place Women at Risk

Post author By saveadmin
Post date October 16, 2013

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Teri Stoddard
Telephone: 301-801-0608
Email: tstoddard@saveservices.org

Fatal Error: Flawed Fact Sheets Place Women at Risk

WASHINGTON / October 16, 2013 – Leading domestic violence organizations are disseminating partner abuse information that is inaccurate, misleading, and serve to place women at risk, according to SAVE, a national victim-advocacy organization.

SAVE reviewed the online Fact Sheets of the National Network to End Domestic Violence, Futures Without Violence, and the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence. SAVE evaluated their statements according to 10 objective criteria of accuracy, balance, and completeness. The review unearthed numerous factual errors (1).

The most serious omission was a lack of mention of mutual partner violence. According to a research summary by the Partner Abuse State of the Knowledge project, nearly three out of five — 58% — incidents of partner aggression are mutual (2). But the three Fact Sheets were entirely silent regarding this widespread scenario.

A Centers for Disease Control survey found that injury was more than twice as likely when the violence is reciprocal — 28.4% — compared to unidirectional violence — 11.6% (3). In some cases, these injuries proved fatal.

The Fact Sheet review also revealed the extent of female-initiated violence is often downplayed. As a result of these distortions, needed services and protections are not available. In the end, women caught in same-sex abusive relationships and male victims in heterosexual relationships become marginalized.

“If we ignore the problem of mutual abuse, victims and offenders often will have nowhere to turn for help,” notes SAVE spokesperson Sheryle Hutter. “Whenever we read about a woman killed by her intimate partner, we should asking if a full understanding of the problem could have prevented the tragedy.”

Each year, approximately 1,500 Americans are killed by their intimate partners, a large majority of whom are female. SAVE urges domestic violence groups to disseminate information that is based on current scientific research (4).

Stop Abusive and Violent Environments is a victim-advocacy organization working for evidence-based solutions to domestic violence and sexual assault: www.saveservices.org

http://www.saveservices.org/camp/truth/
Jennifer Langhinrichsen-Rohling. Rates of bi-directional vs. uni-directional intimate partner violence: A comprehensive review. Partner Abuse Vol. 3, No. 2, 2012. http://www.springerpub.com/content/journals/PA-KnowledgeBase-41410.pdf
Whitaker DJ et al. Differences in frequency of violence and reported injury between relationships with reciprocal and nonreciprocal intimate partner violence. American Journal of Public Health, Vol. 97, No. 5, 2007.
http://www.saveservices.org/wp-content/uploads/Seven-Facts-Every-American-Should-Know-About-DV.pdf

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PR: Factual Missteps Are Slowing National Campaign to End Partner Abuse, SAVE Says

Post author By saveadmin
Post date October 1, 2013

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Teri Stoddard
Telephone: 301-801-0608
Email: tstoddard@saveservices.org

Factual Missteps Are Slowing National Campaign to End Partner Abuse, SAVE Says

WASHINGTON / October 1, 2013 – Victim-advocacy group Stop Abusive and Violent Environments warns that factual errors and misrepresentations in public education efforts sponsored by domestic violence organizations may represent an obstacle in the on-going effort to rid the nation of domestic violence. SAVE issues the alert in conjunction with Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which is observed in October each year.

The Partner Abuse State of Knowledge (PASK) project, a summary of over 1,700 domestic violence research studies, concludes that mutual abuse among partners is commonplace, and men and women engage in partner aggression at similar rates: http://domesticviolenceresearch.org/

Despite the PASK findings, SAVE notes some domestic violence organizations continue to ignore the problem of mutual abuse and minimize female-initiated aggression: www.saveservices.org/camp/truth/. Some groups maintain that domestic violence is an expression of patriarchal power, a stance that ignores the plight of thousands of women caught in abusive same-sex relationships.

The biased statements undergird shelter policies that allow male victims to be turned away. The informational errors also result in female offenders not being referred for anger management classes, substance abuse treatment, or other services: http://www.saveservices.org/downloads/VAWA-Has-It-Delivered-on-Its-Promises-to-Women

“Domestic Violence Awareness Month is supposed to be about enhancing citizens’ understanding of domestic violence,” notes SAVE spokesperson Sheryle Hutter. “But groups that distort the truth are keeping us from ending the cycle of violence.”

Organizations receiving federal grants are prohibited from engaging in wasteful or fraudulent practices, according to the Department of Justice: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/financialguide/PDFs/OCFO_2012FinancialGuide.pdf Domestic violence services organizations are welcome to update their training materials and fact sheets based on SAVE’s Seven Key Facts About Domestic Violence: http://www.saveservices.org/key-facts/

Stop Abusive and Violent Environments is a victim-advocacy organization working for evidence-based solutions to domestic violence and sexual assault: www.saveservices.org

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PR: ‘Truth Team’ Will Promote Accurate Information and Inclusiveness by Abuse Agencies

Post author By saveadmin
Post date September 19, 2013

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Teri Stoddard
Telephone: 301-801-0608
Email: tstoddard@saveservices.org

‘Truth Team’ Will Promote Accurate Information and Inclusiveness by Abuse Agencies

WASHINGTON / September 9, 2013 – SAVE, a non-profit victim advocacy organization, announces the launch of a new project called “Truth Team.” The project is designed to counter misinformation and assure compliance with the new federal inclusivity mandate of the Violence Against Women Act.

Truth Team will rely on findings from the Partner Abuse State of Knowledge (PASK) project, a summary of over 1,700 research studies on domestic violence which concludes men and women engage in partner aggression at approximately equal rates. (http://domesticviolenceresearch.org/)

The CDC National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey found 6.5% of men, compared to 6.3% of women, had experienced physical violence committed by a partner. (http://www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/pdf/NISVS_Report2010-a.pdf , Tables 4.7 and 4.8) The survey also found that each year, men are far more likely to experience psychological aggression: 18% of men compared to 14% of women. (Tables 4.9 and 4.10)

But 18 months after the release of this government study, SAVE notes that many domestic violence organizations still depict partner aggression in ways that are misleading and untruthful. Faulty information can give rise to policies that serve to exclude needy victims. These exclusionary practices often violate provisions added to the Violence Against Women Act during its recent reauthorization.

Truth Team will review agencies’ Fact Sheet, compare them against 10 objective criteria, and assign a letter grade. SAVE will then work with agencies to update their Fact Sheets to assure accuracy. Results of the assessment will be posted on the SAVE website and disseminated to the public.

“Domestic violence groups need to make sure the information they are providing to the public is accurate and honest,” notes SAVE spokesperson Sheryle Hutter. “Lawmakers and the public will no longer tolerate the exclusion of victims from our abuse shelters and service programs.”

More information about SAVE’s Truth Team can be seen at http://www.saveservices.org/camp/truth/

Stop Abusive and Violent Environments is a victim-advocacy organization working for evidence-based solutions to domestic violence and sexual assault: www.saveservices.org

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PR: Chicken Ads Reveal Abuse Double-Standard, SAVE Charges

Post author By saveadmin
Post date August 20, 2013

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Teri Stoddard
Telephone: 301-801-0608
Email: tstoddard@saveservices.org

Chicken Ads Reveal Abuse Double-Standard, SAVE Charges

WASHINGTON / August 20, 2013 – A leading victim-advocacy organization is calling on Kentucky Fried Chicken to remove advertisements that depict a woman violently slapping a man. Stop Abusive and Violent Environments — SAVE — charges the ads endorse a double-standard which condemns violence against women, but views violence against men as acceptable and even comical.

A KFC spokesperson has claimed the abusive spots represent “tongue-in-cheek humor.” The controversial ad can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRH9NBcd33k .

Columnist Barbara Kay devotes her August 13 column to the commercials. “There was a time when it was believed that women were never violent by nature,” she explains. “But we know now that domestic violence is a two-way street… it is time our culture stopped finding female on male violence an appropriate vehicle for comedy.” http://princearthurherald.com/en/culture-2/barbara-kay-kfcs-hot-shot-bites-ad-campaign-leaves-me-cold-3

The slap-ads have triggered an international outcry. Persons from 28 countries have signed a petition condemning the KFC ads for promoting “dangerous stereotypes.” http://www.change.org/petitions/kentucky-fried-chicken-stop-making-light-of-domestic-violence

Facebook commentaries were much more pointed, calling KFC “sexist” and saying the company would never produce an ad making light of male-on-female violence.

“KFC executives should be hanging their heads in shame,” notes SAVE spokesperson Sheryle Hutter. “They still don’t get it – there’s no excuse for domestic violence whether it affects a man or woman.”

A major research compilation shows female-perpetrated partner violence is more widespread than male-perpetrated violence — 28.3% vs. 21.6%: http://domesticviolenceresearch.org/

Stop Abusive and Violent Environments is a victim-advocacy organization working for evidence-based solutions to domestic violence and sexual assault: www.saveservices.org

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PR: Domestic Violence Still Affects Millions, But KFC Insists Gender Violence in Ads is Harmless ‘Humor’

Post author By saveadmin
Post date August 15, 2013

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Teri Stoddard
Telephone: 301-801-0608
Email: tstoddard@saveservices.org

Domestic Violence Still Affects Millions, But KFC Insists Gender Violence in Ads is Harmless ‘Humor’

WASHINGTON / August 15, 2013 – Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) is currently running advertisements that feature a woman violently slapping a man: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRH9NBcd33k . Following numerous complaints, KFC continues to show the ads, and now claims the spots represent “tongue-in-cheek humor.”

The KFC announcement follows release of a major research compilation that shows that female-perpetrated violence is more widespread than male-perpetrated violence (28.3% vs. 21.6%). The compilation also reveals that police often fail to arrest female perpetrators of domestic violence.

The research was conducted by the Partner Abuse State of Knowledge (PASK) project, a summary of over 1,700 research studies on domestic violence and partner abuse: http://domesticviolenceresearch.org/

The KFC slap-ads have triggered widespread commentary and controversy.

Award-winning columnist Barbara Kay tweeted on August 10, “KFC finds humor in women slapping men. Sorry, humor in either sex slapping the other is so ‘over.’”

One petition charges the KFC ads perpetuate “dangerous stereotypes” that violence against men can be considered a “joke:” http://www.change.org/petitions/kentucky-fried-chicken-stop-making-light-of-domestic-violence

The National Coalition for Men wonders whether the violence-filled ads are making chickens “blush with shame:” http://ncfm.org/2013/08/news/uncategorized/kfc-uses-violence-against-men-to-sell-chicken-pathetic/

“Kentucky Fried Chicken is trying to sell chicken by pushing the sick idea that violence against men is not only acceptable, it’s even funny,” notes SAVE spokesperson Sheryle Hutter. “That’s shameful, and it’s wrong.”

SAVE has launched a national public awareness campaign based on the PASK research to assure no victim of gender violence is ever ignored, ridiculed, or turned away: http://www.saveservices.org/camp/kfc/

Stop Abusive and Violent Environments is a victim-advocacy organization working for evidence-based solutions to domestic violence and sexual assault: www.saveservices.org

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PR: Prosecutor Bias and Misconduct are Widespread, Says SAVE Report

Post author By saveadmin
Post date May 15, 2013

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Teri Stoddard
Telephone: 301-801-0608
Email: tstoddard@saveservices.org

Prosecutor Bias and Misconduct are Widespread, Says SAVE Report

WASHINGTON / May 15 – A new report by Stop Abusive and Violent Environments highlights the problem of unethical conduct by prosecutors at the state and federal levels. “Prosecutor Bias and Misconduct in Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Cases” concludes a number of prosecutors have pursued overly zealous practices in sexual assault and domestic violence cases. Such practices erode constitutional guarantees of due process of law and probable cause.

Prosecutors are ethically required to evaluate allegations and only pursue those backed by probable cause. That’s because they wield the power of the state against the modest power of individuals who may be charged. Over the past two decades, prosecutors have often abandoned that role in favor of “win at any cost,” claims the new study.

That’s particularly true when the allegations involve sexual assault or domestic violence, according to the SAVE report.

Former sex-crimes prosecutor Rikki Klieman has noted, “Now people can be charged with virtually no evidence.” In the case of the Central Park Five, for example, five minors were coerced by prosecutors and police into pleading guilty to a crime they had no part in. The prosecutor obtained the confessions despite the absence of objective evidence connecting them to the crime.

The same is true in domestic violence cases.

Despite the fact that half of domestic violence is perpetrated by women, the vast majority of those arrested and charged are men. That’s because “dominant perpetrator” laws encourage the arrest of the larger, stronger partner, i.e., the man. Such gender-biased charging policies are unconstitutional, notes the SAVE report.

Prosecutor malfeasance has real-world consequences. In Virginia, 15% of sexual assault convictions were shown to be false by DNA evidence. In domestic violence cases, some 80 – 85% of allegations are ultimately recanted, but “no-drop” policies mean prosecutors often pursue them anyway.

“For the sake of our families and our system of justice, prosecutors must be held to long-established ethical standards,” says S.A.V.E. spokesperson Sheryle Hutter. “Probable cause and due process of law cannot be sacrificed on the altar of political expediency.”

S.A.V.E.’s new special report can be viewed here: http://www.saveservices.org/downloads/Prosecutor-Bias-Misconduct-in-Domestic-Violence

Stop Abusive and Violent Environments is a victim-advocacy organization working for evidence-based solutions to partner violence and sexual assault: www.saveservices.org.

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PR: How Well is the Media Covering the Kellett Prosecutor Scandal?, SAVE Asks

Post author By saveadmin
Post date May 14, 2013

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Teri Stoddard
Telephone: 301-801-0608
Email: tstoddard@saveservices.org

How Well is the Media Covering the Kellett Prosecutor Scandal?, SAVE Asks

WASHINGTON / May 14, 2013 – Three weeks ago a state ethics board issued a long-awaited report highly critical of Hancock Co. prosecutor Mary Kellett. Now a victim advocacy group is asking, Why have only two local media outlets covered the historic story?

Following a two-year investigation, the report is viewed as historic because the Maine Board of Overseers of the Bar, charged with enforcing legal ethics codes, has never previously recommended the disbarment of a standing prosecutor.

On April 24, 2013 the ethics panel released a report showing assistant district attorney Mary N. Kellett ignored a court order, suppressed evidence, misled the jury, and engaged in “conduct unworthy of an attorney.” The report petitions the Maine Supreme Judicial Board to impose “appropriate disciplinary sanction” on ADA Kellett (1).

But three weeks later, only two media outlets, WABI TV and the Bangor Daily News, have provided coverage of the milestone story (2, 3).

SAVE notes the Kellett investigation has garnered extensive national media attention. Following release of the April 24 ethics report, two lengthy editorials appeared in national venues: “Discipline Case Against Prosecutor Mary Kellett Heating Up” (4) and “Filler Case Nearing Conclusion, Perhaps” (5). Over 10,000 persons have viewed accounts of the story on social media pages, as well.

SAVE invites reporters, editors, producers, and other media representatives to review the timeline of events (6), which raises the worrisome question of whether ADA Kellett charged the wrong person with the crime.

“When a Hancock County man was charged with spousal assault, media outlets provided wall-to-wall coverage,” notes SAVE spokesman Howard Goldman. “But when an overly zealous prosecutor is found guilty on multiple counts of unethical conduct, local media outlets seem to dawdle.”

SAVE filed a 9-page ethics complaint in 2011 alleging numerous instances of prosecutor misconduct (7). Over 1,400 persons have signed a petition calling for the disbarment of the prosecutor (8).

Stop Abusive and Violent Environments is a victim-advocacy organization working for evidence-based solutions to domestic violence and sexual assault: www.saveservices.org

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PR: SAVE Applauds Growing Number of Inclusive Abuse Shelters

Post author By saveadmin
Post date April 16, 2013

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Teri Stoddard
Telephone: 301-801-0608
Email: tstoddard@saveservices.org

SAVE Applauds Growing Number of Inclusive Abuse Shelters

WASHINGTON / April 16, 2013 – SAVE, a national victim-rights organization, welcomes the growing number of abuse shelters and other domestic violence service providers that now provide inclusive services. These services are required under the new VAWA Inclusion Mandate (1), a series of anti-discrimination provisions included in the newly reauthorized Violence Against Women Act.

The anti-bias measures were included in the Violence Against Women Act due to documented discriminatory practices against lesbian/gay (2), male (3), and other (4) victims of abuse. The Violence Against Women Act reauthorization, signed into law on March 7, 2013, now bans discrimination on the basis of “race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability.”

Stop Abusive and Violent Environments – SAVE – has compiled a listing of inclusive shelters that features over 50 domestic violence providers located around the country (5). Examples include:

1. Peaceful Paths, based in Gainesville, Fla., provides a crisis line, emergency shelter, advocacy, support groups, and transitional housing to LGBTQ, male, and female victims of partner abuse.

2. Located in Lebanon, New Hampshire, WISE offers a 24-hr crisis line, emergency shelter, counseling, legal advocacy, referrals to all victims – LGBTQ, female, or male.

3. First Step in Fostoria, Ohio, First Step offers a shelter for male victims of domestic violence and programs to build healthy relationships, learn parenting skills, manage stress effectively, and develop life skills.

Many shelters, such as South Valley Sanctuary in Murray, Utah, also offer their inclusive services in both English and Spanish. Some groups, such as the Domestic Violence Program of Asian Americans for Community Involvement in San Jose, Calif., target their services to specific ethnic groups.

“After years of exclusion, it’s thrilling to see so many shelters now expanding their services so no survivor of domestic violence becomes revictimized by the system,” notes SAVE spokesperson Sheryle Hutter. “And for shelters scrambling to come into line with the Inclusion Mandate, SAVE’s Inclusion Resource Center should be a great help.”

SAVE offers a range of resources to shelters working to assure compliance with the VAWA Inclusion Mandate, including an Inclusion Checklist, fact sheets, research summaries, and population-specific information (6). Domestic violence providers who wish to be considered for inclusion in the Listing of Inclusive Shelters should send a request to inclusivevawa@saveservices.org. There is no charge for the listing.

Stop Abusive and Violent Environments is a victim-advocacy organization working for evidence-based solutions to domestic violence and sexual assault: www.saveservices.org

http://www.saveservices.org/inclusive-vawa/legal-provisions/
http://www.avp.org/resources/avp-resources/136
http://www.saveservices.org/downloads/Domestic-Violence-Programs-Discriminate-Against-Male-Victims
Tricia Bent-Goodley. Perceptions of Domestic Violence: A Dialogue with African American Women. Health and Social Work, Vol. 29, No. 4. 2004.
http://www.saveservices.org/inclusive-vawa/shelter-listings/
http://www.saveservices.org/inclusive-vawa/resources/

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PR: Law Enforcement Must Stop Discrimination in Abuse Cases, SAVE Says

Post author By saveadmin
Post date April 9, 2013

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Teri Stoddard
Telephone: 301-801-0608
Email: tstoddard@saveservices.org

Law Enforcement Must Stop Discrimination in Abuse Cases, SAVE Says

WASHINGTON / April 8, 2013 –SAVE, a leading victim-rights organization, is calling on state lawmakers to assure local law enforcement personnel comply with a new federal requirement to end discriminatory practices in domestic violence cases. The Inclusion Mandate, a key provision of the recently passed Violence Against Women Act, bans discrimination on the basis of color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability.

The Centers for Disease Control has found that men and women engage in intimate partner abuse at nearly identical rates (1). And female-initiated violence is the leading cause of subsequent injury to the woman (2). But gender-biased predominant aggressor arrest policies often lead to the arrest of the man, even if the woman strikes the first blow (3).

Lesbian victims are also victimized by predominant aggressor policies which ignore the fact that the smaller partner may utilize a weapon or instigate the assault while the victim is incapacitated.

Stop Abusive and Violent Environments – SAVE – says much of the problem lies with biased police training programs. One curriculum developed by the Maine Criminal Justice Academy contains numerous statements that have been shown to be unverifiable, misleading, and false (4). The document claims that “by and large, abusers are men and victims are women,” a statement that stands in marked contrast to the Centers for Disease Control research.

Another area of concern focuses on policies that mandate arrest, even when there exists no probable cause of violence. These policies are believed to give rise to false arrests and wrongful convictions (5).

“Law enforcement personnel agree with the principle of equal treatment under law, but in domestic violence cases, reality often falls far short of the ideal.” explains SAVE spokesperson Richard Davis. “Lawmakers must take a stand for fairness and assure discriminatory arrest policies come to an end.”

SAVE offers evidence-based training programs for law enforcement to remedy long-standing patterns of discrimination and bias.

Stop Abusive and Violent Environments is a victim-advocacy organization working for evidence-based solutions to domestic volence and sexual assault: www.saveservices.org

National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey. Atlanta, GA. 2011.
Stith S, Smith DB, Penn CE, et al. Intimate partner physical abuse perpetration and victimization risk factors: A meta-analytic review. Aggression and Violent Behavior Vol. 10, 2004. pp. 65-98.
http://www.saveservices.org/downloads/Predominant-Aggressor-Policies
http://www.saveservices.org/downloads/Predominant-Aggressor-Policies
http://www.saveservices.org/downloads/Justice-Denied-DV-Arrest-Policies

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Press Release: SAVE Unveils the Inclusive-VAWA Resource Center

Post author By saveadmin
Post date April 3, 2013

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Teri Stoddard
Telephone: 301-801-0608
Email: tstoddard@saveservices.org

SAVE Unveils the Inclusive-VAWA Resource Center

WASHINGTON / April 3, 2013 – Following Congressional approval of the VAWA Inclusion Mandate, victim advocacy group Stop Abusive and Violent Environments (SAVE) is unveiling a new Inclusive-VAWA Resource Center for abuse shelters and other domestic violence service providers. The VAWA Inclusion Mandate, which applies to all organizations receiving grants under the newly reauthorized Violence Against Women Act, bans discrimination on the basis of “race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability” (1).

The Inclusive-VAWA Resource Center features a variety of tools designed to help program directors comply with the new mandate. The Resource Center includes fact sheets, an inclusion checklist, special reports, a summary of legal requirements, and more. The fact sheets can be used by shelter managers to update information on websites and in training materials.

The Resource Center includes a sample Resolution for lawmakers who want to assure that under-served populations have equal access to services (2). These populations include African-Americans, American Indians, Asian-Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, Immigrants, LGBT, Male Victims, and Persons with Disabilities.

SAVE also offers a consulting service to help domestic violence and sexual assault programs implement the VAWA Inclusion Mandate. This service can include phone consultations, trainings, website updates, and development of brochures and training manuals.

SAVE is recognizing abuse shelters with inclusive policies by listing them in the Resource Center.

“It’s exciting to see people standing up for these under-served victims,” says SAVE spokeswoman Kim Konash, “Thanks to the new VAWA Inclusion Mandate, no victim will need to fear being ridiculed or turned away.”

The Inclusive-VAWA Resource Center can be visited here: www.saveservices.org/inclusive-vawa/resources/.

For more information, contact inclusivevawa@saveservices.org.

Stop Abusive and Violent Environments is a victim-advocacy organization working for evidence-based solutions to domestic violence and sexual assault: www.saveservices.org