Ways to take a stand against domestic violence

The National Health Watch

WANT to do something about the intersection between domestic violence and sexual abuse?
Here are six ideas to get you started:

  • ENCOURAGE family members, primary care physicians and OB/GYNs (a gynaecologist is a doctor who specialises in pregnancy and female reproductive health) in our community
    to screen women for signs of physical and sexual violence and ask if they are in violent or abusive relationships during regular checkups;
  • DEMAND state legislators update rape laws to include
    marital rape rather than considering marital rape as a different crime;
  • WORK with local schools, religious youth groups, and other youth-oriented programmes to teach healthy sexuality and healthy relationships;
  • ASK local schools and universities to address the issue of sexual violence in their classrooms and through victim assistance programmes;
  • ASK your members of parliament to support funding for direct surveys and programmes created in the Violence Against Women Act; and,
  • VOLUNTEER at your local rape crisis centre or state sexual assault coalition.

About sexual assault and domestic violence.
Anyone can be a victim of physical or sexual assault.
If you have been assaulted, go to a safe place and tell someone.
You have the option to go to a hospital for care and treatment.
You have the option to call
police, as you are a victim of a crime.

  • Next week’s edition: What is sexual assault?