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Featured Issues >> Domestic Violence and Safety
Watch "Safety and Services: Perspectives from Women of Color on Domestic Violence, Economic (In)stability, and Community." CFFPP, the Center for American Progress, and the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence co-sponsored this event. After introductory comments by Anne Menard (NRCDV) and a brief presentation of the report, "Safety and Services: Women of color speak about their communities," by Jill Groblewski (CFFPP), Joy Moses (CAP) moderates a panel discussion on the implications the paper holds for policy and practice. Panelists include Shelia Hankins (IDVAAC), Lisa Nitsch (WIFI and House of Ruth Maryland), and Lynn Rosenthal (White House Advisor on Violence Against Women).
Partnership Opportunity
In October 2011, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced the recipients of the Pathways to Responsible Fatherhood and Healthy Marriage and Relationship grants, both of which require grantees to consult with domestic violence experts. In general, CFFPP’s Collaboration and Partnership Guidebook can be a useful resource for agencies working together, and it can be particularly helpful for new grantees and their community partners. The Guidebook provides practical information about understanding domestic violence services and fatherhood programs and can help agencies form a solid foundation for working together.
In the Spotlight: Working Together
The Maryland Department of Human Resources partnered with the House of Ruth Maryland (a domestic violence agency in Baltimore) to create the short video, Nobody Ever Earned It. The message is that “Fathers have a uniquely powerful role in ending violence against women.”
This remarkable video showcases five graduates of the House of Ruth Maryland’s abuser intervention program, the Gateway Project, all of whom have domestic violence charges against them. In the video, they reflect upon the impact of domestic violence – particularly on children – and share their vision of living violence-free futures.
The video was created to be shown in waiting areas of Department of Social Service agencies throughout the state of Maryland and will be used by the Gateway Project in groups with men. It was funded through the first round of federal Responsible Fatherhood grants (2006-2011), and exemplifies the kind of work that current Pathways to Responsible Fatherhood and Healthy Marriage and Relationship grantees can do with local domestic violence advocates as their partners.
More About CFFPP and Domestic Violence
While CFFPP’s work focuses on the unique barriers affecting no- and low-income fathers, the Center is equally committed to promoting the well-being and safety of women and children.
Since its founding, the Center has reached out to and developed working relationships with a variety of women’s organizations and domestic violence advocates. The aim of this deliberate outreach has been to openly discuss the potential impact that providing social welfare services to men could have on women and children in general, and on victims and survivors of domestic violence in particular. The Center entered this discussion to provide information and education about the need for comprehensive social services – for both women and men – that address the complex issues low-income families face.
Our work explores ways that practitioners who provide social welfare services to men might help promote women’s safety, and we strive to create bridges between local fatherhood practitioners and domestic violence advocates. Through partnership and collaboration, we can create stronger policies and practices that serve the multiple, complex needs members of low-income communities commonly experience.