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Prevention through Public Policy Outreach

One of the most effective and fundamental methods for acting against domestic violence is through public policy advocacy, on the local level and nationally through GFWC's Headquarters in Washington, D.C. GFWC has a thriving legislative outreach program related to protecting victims of abuse. Support of the Violence Against Women Act is one of GFWC's priority issues.

Other critical legislation related to serving and protecting victims of domestic violence includes:

• Domestic Violence Victim Protection Act, to amend Federal crime grant programs relating to domestic violence to encourage States and localities to implement gun confiscation policies, reform stalking laws, create integrated domestic violence courts, and hire additional personnel for entering protection orders, and for other purposes.
• Best Help for Rape Victims Act, which would require that the recommended national protocol for sexual assault medical forensic examinations include a recommendation that rape victims be offered information about emergency contraceptives to prevent pregnancy.
• National Domestic Violence Volunteer Attorney Network Act, which creates a national system to recruit and train volunteer lawyers and match them with domestic violence victims. Under the proposed bill, the electronic National Domestic Violence Attorney Network would be coordinated by the American Bar Association; statewide legal coordinators would manage legal services in their individual states and the National Domestic Violence Hotline and Internet-based services would provide legal referral.
• Employment Assistance for Victims of Domestic Abuse Act of 2007 would amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify the work opportunity credit to include the hiring of certain domestic abuse victims by small employers, and for other purposes.
• Violence Against Immigrant Women Act of 2007 would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to enhance protections for immigrant victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and trafficking. 
• Survivors' Empowerment and Economic Security Act  and the Security and Financial Empowerment (SAFE) Act address issues of domestic violence in the workplace. Under the measures, survivors would be allowed to take time off from work without penalty to appear in court, seek legal assistance, and access help. They also would qualify in every state for unemployment benefits if they are fired or forced to leave because of abuse, and they would be protected from discrimination in employment and insurance.

Becoming involved in public policy outreach on behalf of domestic violence prevention and victims of abuse requires only the willingness to educate yourself on the issues and the enthusiasm to begin creating change in your own community.

First, ARM YOURSELF WITH INFORMATION. Look for information on domestic violence statistics in your state, as well as organizations already working on this issue.

Once you have gained knowledge about domestic violence issues in your community, REACH OUT TO OTHERS to share this knowledge and collectively commit to acting against domestic violence.

Take your group to VISIT YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS to find out about their record on domestic violence and ask them to support additional legislation to protect victims of abuse. An ideal time to set up a meeting with your Member of Congress is during Congressional recesses when Members are in their home districts.

CREATE STRONG COMMUNITY PROGRAMS that will increase awareness, provide services to victims, inform members of your community about the problem, and encourage lawmakers and law enforcement to do more to protect the abused.

• Expand education and awareness efforts to increase positive attitudes toward nonviolence and encourage individuals to report family violence.
• Form or task forces to assess the problem, develop an action plan, and monitor progress.
• Mandate training in domestic violence for all social services and criminal justice professionals.
• Advocate laws and judicial procedures at the state and local levels that support and protect battered women.
• Establish centers where visits between batterers and their children may be supervised, for the children's safety.
• Fund shelters adequately.
• Recruit and train volunteers to staff hotlines, accompany victims to court, and provide administrative support to shelters and victim services.
• Improve collection of child support.
• Establish medical protocols to help physicians and other health care personnel identify and help victims of domestic abuse.
• Provide legal representation for victims of domestic violence.
• Advocate for the accessibility of services for all population groups, especially underserved populations which include immigrants and refugees, gays and lesbians, racial and ethnic minorities and the disabled. (1)

Increasing awareness can be accomplished if you REACH OUT TO THE MEDIA. Writing a letter to the editor or placing an op-ed in your local paper is a great way to support domestic violence legislation. Members of Congress pay close attention to the news in their home state and/or
district. Ask your local radio or television station to run stories on domestic violence in your community and the resources available to victims.

STAY INFORMED. Sign up to receive GFWC's legislative network e-newsletter, LegNet.

(1) Adapted from: "Preventing Violence Against Women: Not Just A Women's Issue," the National Crime Prevention Council, 1995.