National Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Part of a series on
Violence against women
Issues
Acid throwing  · Breast ironing Bride-buying · Bride burning Domestic violence  · Dowry death Honor killing Female genital mutilation (Gishiri cutting · Infibulation) Foot binding  · Forced prostitution Human trafficking  · Marital rape Murder of pregnant women Rape · Sati · Sexual slavery Sexual violence  · Teen dating violence Violence against prostitutes
Category
Violence against women
Other
Outline of related topics
v · d · e

This article is about organization in United States. For other related topics, see Outline of domestic violence.

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) is an organization founded in 1978 in Washington, D.C. with a goal to “organize our collective power by advancing transformative work, thinking and leadership in communities and individuals who seek to end violence in our lives.” ^[1] The organization not only focuses on domestic violence in the home, but also society-wide violence and factors which perpetuate violence against women and children alike. Over the years multiple corporate sponsors have joined up with NCADV to provide funding for the organization's services.

History

NCADV began at the United States Commission on Civil Rights hearing on battered women. What started out as only 100 individuals now boasts thousands of members working together and sharing their experiences of domestic violence. NCADV members came together to battle topics in addition to domestic violence such as homophobia, sexism, racism, and ageism. As of 2008, NCADV has been involved with multiple legislative acts including; the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA), International Violence Against Women Act, and Legislative Action Day. A list of their past legislative "priorities," are available on the NCADV website through 2004.

Working With Public Policy

In addition to making safe-homes and shelters available to battered women, NCADV also works to improve current public policy by collaborating with legislators on the federal level. The Washington, D.C. office for the organization is the public policy office from which leaders of the organization make efforts to change and improve legislation dealing with domestic violence. In 1994 the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence got involved with several other advocacy organizations and helped to pass the Violence Against Women Act signed by President Bill Clinton to provide funding for investigation into domestic violence as well as greater prosecution of offenders. Another topic dealt with within the organization is that of custody battles involving offenders of domestic violence. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence works to create awareness of these situations and develop legislation which keeps the best interest of the children in mind.

Projects

NCADV sponsors conferences frequently in order to bring survivors and leaders together to freely speak on the topic of domestic violence and develop connections with one another.One of the most recent events was the 2008 National Coalition Against Domestic Violence Conference held July 18, 2008 in Washington D.C. The conference is held every two years and is a place for members to plan out future endeavors and commemorate past actions.^[2] The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence is also credited with creating and observing the first Domestic Violence Awareness month in October 1987. In 1994, NCADV teamed up with Ms Magazine to create the Remember My Name Project,an ever-growing list of victims who have lost their lives to domestic violence. Lists are available currently from the year 1994 to 2004. It is estimated that every day in the United States, over three women are killed by a boyfriend or spouse.^[3] Recently, as of early 2008, news releases report that television network ABC and their show 20/20 are in the process of considering airing an hour long segment about a wife and mother suffering from domestic violence and receiving less-than-par treatment from the family court system.^[4] The NCADV also creates Public Service announcements by way of short commercials to help increase awareness of domestic violence and help women affected by it to call their National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).^[5]

Aside from offering shelter and support to victims, NCADV has also developed two programs for financial education and reconstructive surgery. In 2001 NCADV partnered with The National Endowment for Financial Education to produce a manual, titled Hope & Power for Your Personal Finances: A Rebuilding Guide Following Domestic Violence, which serves to inform and assist women who have been victims of domestic violence to regain financial freedom in their lives.^[6] This program deals with topics including but not limited to budgeting, banking, lending, dealing with workplace abuse and identity theft. The Coalition Against Domestic Violence has also set-up and held workshops designed to train individuals to have the skills necessary for participation in financial education. Trainers must know how to handle individuals who have sustained abuse in their past relationships, while at the same time offering advice and guiding them. The program for cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, known as Cosmetic and Reconstructive Support or(CRS), deals with three medical associations including Face to Face, Give Back a Smile, and a program formerly known as Skin Care Outreach Empowers Survivors. In association with these three programs, NCADV is able to aid survivors in facial, dentistry, and dermatological reconstruction necessary to live a healthy life after suffering from domestic violence, and hopefully move on from their traumatic past. While other services are offered to domestic violence victims, CRS is the only one directly offered by NCADV. Additionally, NCADV has been working since the disaster of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 to relocate women who had previously been staying at women's shelters throughout affected areas. They have set up an outlet for other battered women's shelters throughout the country to advertise the availability of beds.

Criticism Against NCADV

There have been multiple instances of criticism regarding the tactics and beliefs of the NCADV. Between the years of 1985 and 1986, the NCADV was in the works of requesting and receiving a two-year grant from the United States Department of Justice which would serve to provide domestic violence information and training across the nation. During the time, groups opposing the tactics of the NCADV came out, including the [Heritage Foundation], accusing the organization of being Pro-Lesbian and Anti-Family. The grant was never issued, and the NCADV went into an agreement with the Department of Justice which said that the Department of Justice would monitor and pre-approve any actions by the organization. After one year this agreement was ended by NCADV due to the tense relationship between the two parties.^[7]

• Outline of domestic violence)
• Violence against women

Informational manuals and publications by the NCADV and members include:

1. 2004 National Directory of Domestic Violence Programs
2. Teen Dating Violence Resource Manual
3. Open Minds, Open Doors
4. Guidelines for Mental Health Practitioners in Domestic Violence Cases
5. Advocating for Battered Women & Children in Custody, Visitation, & Protection Manual

References

1. ^ National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. 2005. National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Denver, CO. 23 Nov. 2008 <http://www.ncadv.org/>
2. ^ Feminist Majority Foundation Online. 2007. Feminist Majority Foundation, Beverly Hills, CA. 23 Nov. 2008 <http://feminist.org/
3. ^ Family Violence Prevention Fund. 2008. Family Violence Prevention Fund, San Francisco, CA. 24 Nov. 2008 <http://endabuse.org/>
4. ^ Randi James. 2008. Randi James. 24 Nov. 2008 <http://www.randijames.com>
5. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WL3rfk2iFww
6. ^ National Endowment for Financial Education: A Nonprofit Foundation Partnering for Financial Well-being. 2007. National Endowment for Financial Education, Greenwood Village, CO. 24 Nov. 2008 <http://www.nefe.org/>
7. ^ Plott, Michele, and Lauri Umanski. Making Sense of Women's Lives: An Introduction to Women's Studies. MD: Rowman and Littlefield Publishers, Inc., 2000

External links

• National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
• Feminist Majority Foundation
• Family Violence Prevention Fund
• James
• The National Endowment for Financial Education