Representatives of the new Culpeper County Options pilot program “Do You,” which provides anti-violence awareness to local youth, recently attended an event against abuse in the nation’s capital in February. The “Do You” campaign addresses youth violence such as dating and sexual violence, sexual harassment and bullying in a safe environment by “confronting its root causes and building resilience to promote positive development and healthy relationships.” Participants 13 to 16 years old complete 10 sessions in small, same-gender groups where Anderson said they “engage in discussion and activities using creative expression to design their own ‘zine.”
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For the seventh consecutive year, the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) conducted its annual National Census of Domestic Violence Services on September 12, 2012 and today released their analysis of that data in the report: Domestic Violence Counts: A 24-hour Census of Domestic Violence Shelters and Services. The report revealed that reduced funding for domestic violence services means that programs are unable to help survivors with shelter, attain legal help, or leave abusive partners.
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Connection Newspapers (NoVA)
For some visitors exploring the Vulcan gallery last weekend during the Second Saturday Art Walk at the Workhouse Art Center in Lorton, happening upon deeply emotional and traumatic pieces created by rape and domestic abuse victims was a bit alarming.
For others who came for the exhibition in particular, it was informative and perspective-building. Regardless, the traveling showcase of mixed media, entitled “The Art of Surviving,” dramatically raised awareness of the existence of and recovery from many forms of sexual violence.
Saturday night in the somewhat industrial gallery confines was a reception for the exhibition, which runs until April 7. The evening included refreshments and remarks from Negar Ehsani and Heather Sarmiento, specialists with the Fairfax County Office for Women & Domestic and Sexual Violence Services. The Workhouse collaborated with their organization to bring the project—sponsored by the Virginia Sexual & Domestic Violence Action Alliance—to Northern Virginia.
The powerful and sometimes unsettling artworks range from sculpture and painting to prose and poetry, with contributors aged 19 through 75. Each piece is displayed with a detailed placard containing information on the artist or poet and a comprehensive, often deeply revealing explanation from the creator.
No two stories were the same—some works immediately followed a traumatic episode, some weren’t created until decades after the fact—but in each case, the artistic process served as a coping mechanism.
There is clearly visible and legible anger, helplessness and fragmentation; the vivid colors and words convey visceral emotion and are obviously the manifestation of a long and highly painful process. But the constant reminder is that these people are indeed survivors and have channeled their experience through a creative outlet.
The colors are bold, the words biting, and while dramatic, they’re decidedly vibrant, full of life. Just like their creators.
“The Art of Surviving” runs until Sunday, April 7, at the Workhouse Arts Center Vulcan Gallery, 9601 Ox Road, Lorton,
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Jody Williams, from Fredericksburg, Virginia, US, is on the advisory committee of the international campaign to stop rape and gender violence in conflict and founding co-ordinator of the international campaign to ban landmines. She is a member of the Nobel Women's Initiative
It was only 12 years ago last month that mass rape and sexual enslavement during armed conflict was determined to be a crime against humanity, during the Yugoslavia war crimes tribunals. Fatou Bensouda, who became chief prosecutor of the international criminal court in June, has spoken openly about her commitment to making ending rape and sexual violence a priority with the court.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today released the first of its kind report on the national prevalence of intimate partner violence, sexual violence and stalking victimization by respondents’ sexual orientation. This report highlights the prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV), sexual violence (SV), and stalking of respondents who self-identified as lesbian, gay or bisexual at the time of the survey and describe violence experienced with both same-sex and opposite-sex partners, using 2010 data from the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS).
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Alexandrianews.org
January 25, 2013
Yesterday, the Virginia Senate passed legislation introduced by Senator Barbara Favola (D-Arlington) that will strengthen protections for victims of domestic violence during the 72 hours that an emergency protective order is in effect. The bill prohibits the perpetrator from possessing a firearm in the home of the victim during that period of time, creating a Class 1 misdemeanor for this offense.
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WAMU.com (Virginia Public Radio)
January 25, 2013
A person convicted of domestic violence is already prohibited from carrying or purchasing a firearm. But that's not the case with an alleged abuser who's subject to an emergency protective order against a family or household member. Sen. Barbara Favola's bill addresses that.
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Diane Walker, NBC 12
RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) -
A transgender inmate's sexual abuse lawsuit against the Virginia Department of Corrections will go to trial.
Ophelia De'lonta, the same inmate who's seeking sex change surgery - paid for by the state - also alleges a correctional officer at Buckingham Correctional Center sexually abused her.
A U.S. District Court judge is now ordering a trial date be set.
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Richmond, VA - The Virginia General Assembly will be considering a bill next session that aims to make collecting evidence in sexual assault cases, easier.
Senate Bill 205, introduced by Senator George Barker (D)-Fairfax, would allow for the collection of forensic evidence in cases of suspected sexual assault, where the alleged victim may not be able to give consent.
Currently in Virginia, consent from the victim is required before the tests are run; but the window to collect the evidence is small.
This law would allow hospital personnel to make the examinations without fear of civil or criminal charges.
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Court records paint a picture of a life in disarray for David Brian Watkins: he faced a failing marriage, finances in shambles and signs of darker troubles.
His wife accused him of sleeping naked with a young boy, according to 2006 divorce records. A friend of hers testified that she called police concerned about Watkins’ behavior, but later backed off, the records said. A forensic psychologist examined him but concluded he posed no threat.
The ex-scoutmaster and son of a J.C. Penney retail manager was jailed Wednesday on a forcible sodomy charge. An Albemarle County arrest warrant said Watkins, 49, had anal and oral sex with a boy under the age of 13 in 2005. The boy was a Scout under Watkins’ command in Keswick Troop 1028 at the time of the alleged assault, police said. Investigators say more charges could follow.
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