From the Director’s Desk
MCADV is wrapping up its 40th year of service. As another year comes to a close, the Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence can look back at the year in review. In the midst of it all, we are still here fighting the good fight. With the impact of COVID-19 on domestic violence victims, we’ve had to provide advocacy and resources in a different way. Therefore, the fight against domestic violence warrants much attention through a different lens. This fight gains greater momentum annually due to the increased media coverage, homicides, shelter stays, police reports, court orders and the list goes on. The fight’s intensity was shown throughout with levels of system advocacy and resources provided by the organization.
MCADV, community members and local shelter programs throughout the state gathered in numbers to bring awareness in October, National Domestic Violence Awareness Month via virtual events. We stretched our thinking and resources to bring awareness to the community-at-large about domestic violence and available community resources. We greatly increased our social media campaign engagement, digital and print media, and billboards throughout the state. Our commercials were broadcasted on local and cable channels. It is evident that the information must get out to the masses because where there is help, there is hope. Where there is hope, there is help.
As we leave the increased awareness activities and roll into the holiday season, there are a few things to consider concerning domestic violence. The holidays are often thought of as the best time of the year. It is a time for loved ones, celebration, and joy. However, for victims of domestic violence, the holidays can be a very dark and scary time. Unrealistic expectations, financial pressures, and the increased consumption of alcohol can raise stress levels, which can contribute to incidents of domestic violence. Whether reported or not, these factors may be a part of life for someone you may know (neighbor, friend, cousin, sister, brother, niece, nephew, co-worker, mother, father, etc.). Let’s continue to raise awareness of domestic violence on a day-to-day basis. Visit our website for resources and information to support those who may be experiencing the devastating impact of domestic violence.
We encourage you to continue in the fight with us by making a contribution to assist us in the efforts throughout our state. The issues and needs are vast, however, as a coalition we are committed to the cause. The work intersects across party lines, races, ethnicities, and systems of all types. As we say here at MCADV…………Together, We Have The Strength!
Continue with us in the fight with your support!
Best regards,
Wendy Mahoney
Executive Director
Your Year-End Giving Makes a Difference
MCADV would like to express our gratitude for the generous donations and support we have received this year. Donations from our supporters have greatly helped victims of domestic violence throughout the state of Mississippi. Because of your donations, MCADV has been able to provide multiple training sessions to domestic violence advocates and shelter staff. These trainings have been espceially beneficial during the turmoil of the current pandemic. We have been able to provide various resources and educational opportunities for survivors and our member organizations thanks to your generous contributions.
The fight to end domestic violence is still going strong. End of year donations towards our 40 For 40 Campaign will help increase efforts to end domestic violence and support victims of this crime. Your $40 contribution will support our efforts in:
- Bringing awareness and educating the community about domestic violence
- Making sure when a survivor calls, they get the help and resources needed
- Underwriting trainings for advocates to enrich the service delivery system for victims and survivors
With your continued support, we are able to tirelessly push forward with our mission to eradicate domestic violence. Help us continue our work in 2020 and beyond. Click the button below to make your $40 donation.
HIV/AIDS Awareness and Domestic Violence
What is AIDS? The Hindustan Times offers this insight, “AIDS is caused by the spread of life-threatening human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) which attacks the patient’s immune system and significantly reduces the body’s resistance to other diseases.” The Times continues that with proper treatment, persons who are HIV positive can live a healthy life without the virus reaching the final stages. “As with most major public health issues, the HIV pandemic has been presented with further challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.” Because of the priority of addressing COVID, prevention and testing have been impacted by the lockdown and breakdown of essential services.
December is HIV/AIDS Awareness month, with December 1st being National AIDS Awareness Day. This year’s theme, “Ending the HIV/AIDS Epidemic: Resilience and Impact,” focuses on creating global solidarity among people who live with HIV and also seeks to destigmatize this health issue.
Doesn’t HIV only affect gay men? Women who have HIV probably got it by sleeping around. Isn’t HIV a death sentence? Why doesn’t she just leave? Isn’t that a private, family issue? The National Network to End Domestic Violence challenges these widely held misconceptions about HIV and Domestic Violence. Here are a few truths regarding HIV/AIDS:
- Women living with HIV experience individual, community, and institutional violence. Many of the barriers that women living with HIV face make it particularly difficult to leave an abusive partner.
- Domestic violence affects us all. Victims are our family members, neighbors, coworkers, and friends.
- HIV can affect anyone. While the majority of new HIV diagnoses occur in gay men, 1 in 5 individuals living with HIV are women. 87% women living HIV acquired the virus while in a monogamous relationships through sexual contact with their partner.
- HIV can be used as a tactic for power and control.
- There are three types of testing for HIV: antibody screening test, antibody/antigen testing, and home testing. Be mindful of the language that is used while testing for HIV. Language should be free of shame, guilt, and stigma.
- Be supportive of survivors and reassure them.
- Know your federal and state laws regarding HIV notification, disclosure and criminalization as well as mandatory reporting and advocate privilege laws. Survivors have the right to refuse to disclose information. If a survivor disclose their HIV status, it should not be documented for the potential of being court ordered or used against a survivor in divorce and custody hearings to discredit them.
- Most importantly, believe and support victims.
Additional Resources
NNEDV The Intersection of Domestic Violence and HIV/AIDS
MCADV Training Calendar At-A-Glance
MCADV will be hosting multiple training sessions throughout 2021. We have created content on various domestic violence topics that will provide advocates an enriching experience. Trainings will be engaging and informative, led by trainers that have extensive knowledge in the domestic violence field. Stay tuned for more detailed information regarding each training session.
MCADV Policy Listening Session Review
Last month, MCADV hosted a series of policy listening sessions to give advocates, victim service providers and community partners an opportunity to discuss public policy and system issues facing victims, survivors and advocates in the state of Mississippi. Each listening session gave participants the opportunity to dance in their space to cool tunes while completing a policy agenda survey. After sharing their individual input, participants engaged in small group conversations discussing topics including statewide Lethality Assessment Programs, teen dating violence curriculums, and affordable housing for victims and survivors. Mississippi Women’s Foundation Policy Fellow, Dr. Penny Smith-Mickey, moderated the conversations and presented tips on how to achieve a lifesaving policy agenda aiding legislators to provide the best policy and legislation for victims of domestic violence. Dr. Mickey’s work with the Ohio Coalition Against Domestic Violence and her expertise in public policy and nonprofits gave participants a different perspective on how to approach legislators with community issues during the 2021 Legislative Session.
Participants conveyed the needs of communities across the state and shared real stories with real issues concerning the day-to-day work helping victims and survivors. Many participants discussed the need of Lethality Assessment programs to keep law enforcement officers and victims safe during house calls. Others discussed the need for educational and economic resources for victims and survivors to ensure a better life after leaving an abusive relationship or marriage. With over 50 participants across the state, MCADV collected valuable insight to shape the policy agenda for the 2021 Legislative Session. As we continue to focus on ensuring adequate funding for shelter programs we will also pay close attention to legislation concerning these topics. To share your insight on policy affecting victims and survivors in Mississippi click here. For more information concerning MCADV 2021 Policy Agenda please contact Robin Jackson at robin.jackson@mcadv.org or 601.981.9196.
