Increase knowledge of the number of victims and survivors who are living with or who have been impacted by an abusive partner 

 

Awareness months are a good opportunity to become better educated in the dynamics of power and control.  January is National Stalking Awareness Month.

According to the National Violence Against Women survey,

 * 1.5 million individuals are stalked each year

 * 4 out of 5 individuals stalked are women

 * Studies indicate a strong correlation between intimate partner violence and stalking -- 59% of female victims are stalked by a current or former intimate partner and 30% of male victims are stalked by a current or former intimate partner

* Stalking includes harassing or threatening behavior such as following a person, appearing at a person's home or work, repeated phone calls, repeated written messages, and vandalism.

* As part of the 2000 reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, Congress extended the federal interstate stalking statute to include "cyberstalking"--the use of the Internet, email, or other technology to harass someone.

 

Take a tip from Governor Kaine and add to your to-do list:

 

Support initiatives that improve resources and increase funding for domestic violence/sexual assault agencies and the survivors they empower 

 

The governor's plan, being proposed to the General Assembly this week, include changes in how protective orders are processed, eliminating the need for victims to submit to polygraph testing, and increase funding for sexual assault centers. 

Click to read the press release of all Governor Kaine's initiatives

 

Representatives from Avalon will join domestic violence and sexual assault advocates from across the state in Richmond on January 23 as part of the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance's Legislative Advocacy Day.   We hope to meet with our local Senators and Delegates to educate them on legislative issues being introduced which impact the work we perform.

Click to get tips on communicating with your legislator

Click to register and join us at "Lobby Day"

Click to read the Action Alliance's Public Policy Report 2005-2010

 

 

Healthy People 2010 is a comprehensive, nationwide health promotion and disease prevention agenda launched by the Department of Health and Human Services. The report names 28 Focus Areas which serve as the framework for improving the health of all people. Three of those are Injury & Violence Prevention, Mental Health, and Physical Activity & Fitness.  

 

Avalon knows that modeling and living healthy relationships breaks the cycle of violence for future generation. Together, with Colonial Sports and Colonial Road Runners, we're going to encourage everyone in the Historic Triangle to make changes for an overall healthier lifestyle.

 

 

Need an incentive or goal to work towards?  Join us at the 15th Annual Queens Lake 5K on April 12, 2008.  The course is a flat out-and-back with loop through Queens Lake, starting and ending at New Quarter Park. 

 

 

Your financial support directly affects the futures of the women and children we serve.  We are currently meeting the physical, emotional, and social needs of 6 women and 14 children in the Emergency Shelter & Transitional Housing Programs alone. This is in addition to the hundreds of survivors we are empowering through outreach counseling, legal advocacy and school-based counseling. 

 

 

But direct funding is just one way to give to a charity. Donations of time and talent through volunteering help reduce administrative costs, give mothers a respite, or could help educate a woman in sustainable life skills.  

Click to get more information on volunteering with Avalon

 

 

What if every web search you did earned Avalon money? And all it took was a click? It's called goodsearch.com. It's true. It's easy. It's been working!  Click to get started

 

 

If one person makes a difference, think about what a group could do! Giving Circles are the hottest trend in donating. A recent report found that there are now at least 400 giving circles in the United States.  In 2006 alone, these groups donated $13 million dollars for community needs. Here's a chance to turn your Book Club, Wine & Dine Group, or Bowling League into something more than just a time to share with friends.