Public Policy Advocacy

Eliminating Violence Against Women Statement

Introduction

Violence against women continues to take a serious toll on our friends, families, neighbors and community. Meanwhile, obtaining and maintaining adequate grants and public funding for essential victim services continues to be an ongoing challenge.

A continuum of violence in any community means that women are limited in their freedom of movement and face inhibited access to resources and power. Because assault and abuse are disempowering acts based upon the need to control or exact power over another human being, these acts strike at the very heart and mission of the YWCA.

Because of systemic racism and oppression, women of color and women from other marginalized communities face even more barriers to their access to resources and power. Therefore, the trauma of an assault or abuse may often be compounded by racism or other forms of oppression in interactions with medical, legal and social institutions after violence has occurred. Violence against women marks an intersection of sexism with racism and/or other forms of oppression, at which point violence is the weapon used to subordinate a target group. The YWCA firmly believes eliminating violence is a key element in the fight to eliminate racism and oppression and to empower women.

Policy Statement: Eliminating Violence Against Women

The YWCA of Clark County Washington supports public policies that protect and support victims, hold perpetrators accountable and work to eradicate violence against women, whether it is sexual assault, domestic violence and/or stalking. The YWCA specifically supports increased funding for programs that reduce violence against women and children and that address the needs of victims of violence, as well as programs that provide education and raise awareness of the issues related to sexual assault and domestic violence.

To learn more about domestic violence and sexual assault, see our Annual Report, pages 5 and 6.