Violence Against Women: So Common, It’s Cultural

Violence against women is more ubiquitous than many of us would like to think. Under-reported and rarely prosecuted, this type of violence says as much about its perpetrators as it does about our culture’s continued ambivalence about the value of women. Image from <a href="http://pixabay.com/en/woman-face-contour-burnout-blank-73403/" target="_blank">pixabay.com</a>. — Violence against women is more ubiquitous than many of us would like to think. Under-reported and rarely prosecuted, this type of violence says as much about its perpetrators as it does about our culture’s continued ambivalence about the value of women. Image from pixabay.com.

Today’s American women have more opportunity, empowerment and success than ever. Yet violence is a persistent problem. Especially when it occurs in the intersection of race, power, poverty and history, large segments of the female population are left without support or justice from our legal system. Perry Firth from the Seattle University Project on Family Homelessness shares disturbing statistics, and takes a close look at the cultural forces that cause and sustain violence against women in this thought-provoking post.

Domestic Violence and the NFL: Tackling the Problem

Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson flashes a peace sign during a game. Wilson recently launched his "Pass the Peace" campaign to help end domestic violence. His efforts impressed guest blogger Emma Lytle. Image from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DangerRussWilson" target="_blank">Russell Wilson's Facebook page</a>. — Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson flashes a peace sign during a game. Wilson recently launched his "Pass the Peace" campaign to help end domestic violence. His efforts impressed guest blogger Emma Lytle. Image from Russell Wilson's Facebook page.

Our Week Without Violence series continues with a second post from Seattle University student Emma Lytle. A devoted football fan, Emma was shaken by recent news stories about domestic violence and the NFL. In today's post she examines conversations that emerged after Ray Rice was suspended from the league, and shares some ways you can take a stand against domestic violence.

“Heartbroken”: A Young Female Fan Reacts to Domestic Violence and the NFL

Emma Lytle and her boyfriend, Ricky Martinez, rock their 12th
Man gear! Emma has been a big Seahawks fan since she was little. Photo courtesy of Emma Lytle. — Emma Lytle and her boyfriend, Ricky Martinez, rock their 12th Man gear! Emma has been a big Seahawks fan since she was little. Photo courtesy of Emma Lytle.

Today marks the beginning of the YWCA 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 honor of the Week Without Violence, we invited our partners at Seattle University's Project on Family Homelessness to examine the connections between domestic violence and homelessness.

I’m an Advocate: Sharon Jones

Sharon Jones protests a plan to turn low-income housing into for-profit housing. Image credit: Tenants Union of Washington.

We're happy to feature stories and advice from another amazing advocate, Sharon Jones. Sharon is a Real Change vendor and a recent graduate of the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance’s Emerging Advocates Program. Motivated by her belief that nobody -- and especially not military veterans -- should be without a home, Sharon is a tireless advocate.

I’m an Advocate: Lisa Sawyer

Featured advocate Lisa Sawyer greets Washington State Rep. Brady Walkinshaw at a meeting of the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance's Emerging Advocates Program. Photo credit: WLIHA.

We're thrilled to re-introduce our "I'm An Advocate" series, which highlights great work being done across the state to end homelessness, and aims to inspire you to engage in advocacy in your own way. We've gotten to interview several inspiring advocates who work with Real Change, and we're excited to feature their stories and advice over the next few months. Kicking it off for us is the wonderful Lisa Sawyer.

Get the Firesteel Blog in Your Inbox