The National Domestic Violence Hotline released the following to the press:
Leaders from across the country are convening to change the face of domestic violence in America. Based on outcomes of the historic Decade for Change Summit, the National Domestic Violence Hotline (NDVH) today announced preliminary action steps designed to end domestic violence in America by 2017.
“Despite significant efforts over the past decade to address the problem of domestic violence in our country, 33 million American women continue to experience abuse every year,” said Sheryl Cates, NDVH Chief Executive Officer. “These action steps are designed as a challenge to unite as a nation to end domestic violence. It is time to awaken the hope that we, as a society, can work together to bring the promise of safety and hope to every home in America.”
The Decade for Change Blueprint will outline strategies and recommendations that will set new precedents for prevention and significantly reduce domestic violence in America. Overarching themes include:
1. CHANGE PUBLIC PERCEPTION: The treatment of domestic violence must change from silent acceptance to complete intolerance. By 2017, a measurable shift in public perceptions/opinion about domestic violence will be demonstrated by utilizing nationally recognized polling, research expertise and public awareness.
2. EARLY INTERVENTION/EDUCATION: Proactive steps must be taken to end the cycle of intergenerational violence starting with our children. By 2017, a national domestic violence education model will be created and incorporated as part of standard curriculum for middle and high school students.
3. IT’S EVERYBODY’S BUSINESS: The key to eradicating domestic violence is to create a united effort among key societal sectors to establish industry-specific strategies and tactics that address the problem. One example would be for the business community to establish domestic violence prevention as a core element of corporate social responsibility. By 2017, at least half of America’s Fortune 500 companies will have instituted core corporate domestic violence programs as “standards of practice.”
This sounds very good. Let’s hope the nation actually carries out the action plan.
What do you think?
