Ben Atherton-Zeman: Domestic Violence- Its not just physical

I wanted to draw your attention to this article written for a Massachusetts newspaper by our good friend Ben Atherton-Zeman. This article does a great job of addressing an important point about domestic violence. When I think of the word violence my mind immediately jumps to physical violence. In this article, Ben addresses the fact that violence can take many forms. I encourage you to take a look at this great article.

http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/opinion/x6851601/Atherton-Zeman-Domestic-violence-Its-not-just-physical

Dragon Slippers

I just wanted to draw your attention to a link that was recently shared with me. This is link to an online version of Dragon Slippers. Dragon Slippers was written as one woman's reflection on her personal experience with domestic violence. The author uses a series of images and comic frames to illustrate the story of the violence she experienced and the emotions she felt. It is a very powerful piece of work and a worthwhile read. I encourage you to check it out.

Just Click Here!

Remembering the Life of Viviana Rosario Tellez-Girón

On the wake of a very recent Domestic Violence homicide in Dane County, and the release of this year's Domestic Violence Homicide Report by the Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence, I wanted to reflect for a minute with you all about the work we're doing.

We're challenging and supporting men to be new kinds of men. We're educating our peers about the dynamics of sexual assault and dating violence. We're hoping that they'll step in to intervene in sexism/sexist behaviors. We're building skill sets to clearly ascertain mutual consent and healthy sexual/dating experiences. We're learning about how gender and other social identities shape our own lives and impact our willingness to respond.

We're TALKING about these crimes--which often go un-talked about. And as such, un-acted upon.

And yet, women, children, and men are STILL DYING. Are being beaten. Are being told they are worthless--all at the hands of family members who should provide safety and love.

I WANT to believe these atrocities are preventable deaths. I want to believe that our work is connected to social change, to justice, to compassion, to love. I WANT to believe that what we are doing is not only making a difference to the students with whom we work but also to this campus, community, and culture at large. I need to believe this.

And tonight, with Kleenex in hand and cold medicine clouding my brain, with tears streaming down my face as I think about one . . . . more . . . . woman . . . . . I'm looking to you all. To reflect. To honor. To sit in silence and re-group. To act. To be solid within ourselves. To believe that these deaths can be prevented.

Thank you for hearing me out--I welcome response, love, and reflection. I hope we can spend some time in our own circles celebrating the life of Viviana Rosario Tellez-Girón this week while we continue this uphill work to create a world where, as Tony Porter puts it, 'We don't do that here!'

I count you all among my blessings. Be well. Thank you.

cj

Violence Prevention Specialist
University Health Services
UW-Madison

Reivisting Compassion

On March 13, 2008 Wisconsin Act 102 was signed into effect by Governor Jim Doyle. Act 102, better known as the Compassionate Care for Rape Victims Act (CCRV), requires all emergency rooms in the state of Wisconsin to provide accurate information and access to emergency contraception (EC) for female victims of rape. Like many similar laws now in effect across the country, CCRV guarantees that every rape victim who visits an emergency room in the state of Wisconsin receives the same standard of care. However, a recent proposal by the Bush administration now threatens the rights guaranteed by the passage the CCRV act. Current federal law states that health care providers cannot be required to perform an abortion if they are morally or ethically opposed to it. The legislation recently introduced by President Bush would expand this law to include some forms of oral contraception as well as emergency contraception. If the Department of Health and Human Services decides to honor the proposal, the intent of the CCRV act would be in serious jeopardy.
The Bush administration’s justification for expanding the current law is based on a belief that that emergency contraception, also known as Plan B or the morning after pill, can trigger an abortion. However, emergency contraception will not cause an abortion or harm the fetus of a pregnant woman. EC contains two doses of a synthetic form of the hormone progesterone. When taken within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse, the increase in progesterone may cause a delay in ovulation. In some cases, the hormone will cause the uterine lining to change in a way that will not allow the egg to implant. Emergency contraception, like other hormonal birth control, prevents a pregnancy from beginning rather than ending a pregnancy.
Rape victims are never forced to take EC; however, I believe that all rape victims are entitled to accurate information and access to EC in the event that they choose to use this method of contraception. The Bush administration proposal would affect many people on both a medical and emotional level. It is often very difficult for rape victims to seek help and medical care. If we allow healthcare workers to deny these women basic information about their treatment options, we are denying victims of rape the basic medical and emotional care they need and deserve.

Katie Simons
PAVE Media Advocate

Everyone can help end sexual violence.

For most people, “feminist” is not the first word which comes to mind when thinking of Pope John Paul II, although I certainly believe he is one. And when writing on the topic of sexual assault, he expresses many thoughts that are as forward-thinking as almost any feminist out there.

For example, he wrote in 1995 that “we cannot remain indifferent and resigned before this phenomenon (of sexual violence),” and that “the time has come to condemn vigorously the types of sexual violence which frequently have women for their object and to pass laws which effectively defend them from such violence.”

His words get to the heart of the matter just as well as anything that has been written on this topic. Most of us are not “indifferent” about sexual violence, particularly if it happens to someone we know. But how many of us are simply “resigned” to the all-too-common occurrence of rape, domestic abuse, and other forms of sexual violence? We cannot be. Victims of sexual violence, and people who fear becoming victims, cannot afford this kind of complacent attitude. Indeed, the time has come to condemn all sexual violence, and despite any precautions that may or may not have been taken, to recognize that no victim “deserves” or “was asking” to be raped. Instead, the focus and blame should always be on the perpetrator’s actions, as it is for all other violent crime.

I bring in the brief words of the former pope to make the point that as we observe Sexual Assault Awareness Month (in April), we must remember that sexual violence prevention is not just an issue for women or people who consider themselves politically “liberal.” Everyone has a role in ending sexual violence, regardless of gender, race, political or religious beliefs, or whether one considers oneself a “feminist” or not. In particular, it is important that both men and women work together on this issue. And although this isn’t only an issue for left-leaning people, on a campus that is regarded to be as “progressive” as ours, it is odd that there are only a few men involved in sexual violence prevention efforts. This should change. Everyone on this campus, male or female, has the power to contribute to a stronger movement against sexual violence. This is a community problem, this is our campus, and this is our problem.

One way to get involved is by attending any of the numerous events scheduled for Sexual Assault Awareness Month, including a screening of NO! The Rape Documentary in Ogg Commons at 8 pm on Thursday, April 17^th, featuring a talk by the director. The schedule, as well as other ways to get involved in the future, can be found on the website for PAVE (Providing Awareness, Victim Empowerment) at uwpave.rso.wisc.edu. I hope that everyone who reads this will at least consider getting involved to help create a community without sexual violence.

-Alex Wagner

UW PAVE Media Team

Senior, History and Political Science

ajwagner1@wisc.edu

NOTE: Yes, this is a reworking of an earlier post, the difference being that this one was submitted as an op-ed to the Badger Herald (though not published as of 4/23), and the other one was just sort of a random musing that I had back then.

March Madness

As March Madness nears, college basketball fanatics across the nation band together to support their teams. UW students show their pride by wearing red and white, buying Badger apparel, and singing cheers from the Kohl Center stands. After a poor call from the referee, UW students do not brush it off and hope the call goes the other way next time. Instead, students get angry and shout in unison, "The ref beats his wife! The ref beats his wife!" How did the attention shift from supporting a basketball team to condoning violence against women?

The heated crowd yells, "The ref beats his wife" only after a poor call is made. This shows that we are in agreement that beating a partner is a bad thing. However, acknowledging the wrongdoing is not enough; we want a change in their previous actions. In the case of the basketball game, fans would like to see the referee alter his way of thinking, and make a different call next time that would benefit the Badgers. In the same way, our community needs to see perpetrators held accountable for their actions so people know that violating another person's rights is not acceptable, no matter who you are. A proactive first step towards ending violence against women is to take the initiative and challenge your own thinking, and the thinking of those around you.

Now, let us not only come together to cheer on the Badgers in hopes that they continue to stay on top of the Big Ten standings, but let us also prepare to honor April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. There will be many events on campus throughout the month including a PAVE (Promoting Awareness, Victim Empowerment) sponsored April 17th showing of the award winning, internationally acclaimed "NO! The Rape Documentary," produced and directed by Aishah Shahidah Simmons, and edited by Monica N. Dillon. For more information visit uwpave.rso.wisc.edu.

Valentine's Day

"Let the real games begin." As the final words of the Victoria's Secret Super Bowl commercial flashed across the screen, I couldn't help but feel disappointed. I understand that as a sports-obsessed society, we tend to talk about sexual escapades in sports terminology. Whether we are randomly hooking up or getting busy with our sweetie, the ever-popular sports euphemisms abound; we are "playing the field," getting to " first/second/third base" or "scoring." These terms are vague, no matter how often we use them. What I define as "first or second base" may be completely different than how my partner may be defining those same terms. We all have our own completely unique sexuality and therefore, it would be impossible to universally define "first base" for everyone.
A UHS Violence Prevention Specialist has promoted the use of the sexual playground as an alternative to standard sports metaphors. At first, it may seem more juvenile than "sliding into home" but humor me for a second. On the sexual playground there is no race for a "home run," because you and your partner get to define together what the "slide" and the "jungle gym" are and you can wander around the playground together until you get to the "teeter totters." The playground metaphor emphasizes communication and creating a dialogue unique to you and your partner, not only by defining components of your sexual playground, but also by voicing your wants with a partner. Even though I am still speaking in metaphorical terms, the sexual playground terminology is more consensual, since you cannot really "trapeze" on someone in the same way that you can "steal a base" on someone. Additionally, the sexual playground relays the message that two people are working together to create their sexual experience, rather than the undertone present in sports terms of trying to strategize against the other person that you are with to win what you want. So, starting this Valentine's Day, with these points in mind, throw out the game book and explore the sexual playground!