Sue's former partner seemed like a nice guy at first. When they moved in together, though, the difference was night and day. He beat her so badly that she frequented the emergency room. He completely controlled her finances, and isolated her from her friends and family so she was trapped. On this last day of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, hear Sue's story, and find out what you can do to help end the cycle of abuse.
Monthly Archives: October 2013
Culture Watch: Lou Reed and the Soundtrack of Family Homelessness
Lou Reed’s 1989 album “New York” told some harsh truths about the policies that mired families in homelessness.
On the surface, Lou Reed's "Dirty Blvd." seems like a song about extreme poverty and the hopelessness it engenders. But there’s much more to it than another sad story. Reed is railing against the policy that got those children into poverty and trapped them there. Catherine Hinrichsen from Seattle University’s Project on Family Homelessness remembers Reed, who died a few days ago, and reflects on the social injustices he so eloquently confronted.
Domestic Violence: Helping Children Heal
Domestic violence is the leading cause of homelessness for women and families. It also can be incredibly traumatic for children who witness it. Children's advocates from YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish share how they help families heal in today's installment of our monthlong series on domestic violence.
Domestic Violence: Social Isolation and Homelessness
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and we're exploring the connections between domestic violence and family homelessness. In this video, Norene Roberts, program manager at a domestic violence shelter, explains how abusers isolate their victims from their friends and family -- and how this isolation can contribute to homelessness. She also gives advice for helping a loved one who is experiencing domestic violence.
Domestic Violence: Applying the Lens of Race Thoughtfully
We're in the middle of the Week Without Violence, an initiative created by YWCA USA nearly 20 years ago to mobilize people in communities across the United States to take action against all forms of violence, wherever it occurs. In recognition of this initiative, as well as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Firesteel is exploring the connections between domestic abuse and family homelessness. In line with the YWCA's commitment to social justice and ending racism, we are also interested in looking at domestic violence through the lens of race. We invited Mike Wong and Patricia Hayden from YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish's Social Justice Accountability Team to contribute today's guest post.