Current State of Domestic Violence In Indiana:
Indiana is one of the many states in the US that is grappling with the issue of domestic violence. Every year, thousands of Hoosiers experience some form of domestic violence, and the problem is only getting worse.
The Facts:
According to the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the number of reported cases of domestic violence has increased by nearly 20% in the past five years.
This alarming trend is due in part to the fact that Indiana does not have a statewide domestic violence registry. This means that there is no way to track offenders or keep them from purchasing firearms. In addition, Indiana does not have any laws specifically addressing domestic violence-related crimes. As a result, many abusers are able to avoid detection and continue their pattern of abuse. The current state of affairs is simply unacceptable. Indiana must take action to protect its citizens from this preventable crime.
What is the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence:
The Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV) is a statewide domestic violence prevention program. ICADV's mission is to lead the fight to end domestic violence and support survivors of domestic violence. The organization works to achieve this mission through public education, training and technical assistance, advocacy, and working with allies and partners.
History of the Coalition
It was founded in 1980 in response to the growing need for domestic violence prevention and support services. ICADV is a 501(c)(3) organization and is funded by grants, donations, and membership dues.
What Does the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence Do:
ICADV provides education, training, and technical assistance to domestic violence prevention programs, domestic violence shelters, and domestic violence agencies across the state. ICADV also lobbies for domestic violence legislation at the state and federal level and provides public education on domestic violence issues.
In addition, ICADV operates a statewide 24-hour domestic violence hotline that provides crisis counseling, safety planning, and referrals to domestic violence shelters and domestic violence agencies across the state.
The Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence also provides support and resources to domestic violence survivors through its website, including a domestic violence resource directory and a blog with articles on topics such as safety planning, healthy relationships, and coping with trauma.
Where the Coalition Operates:
The ICADV operates throughout the state of Indiana, with a network of member organizations that provide direct services to survivors of domestic violence. The ICADV also works to increase public awareness about domestic violence and to advocate for changes in policies and practices that will make it easier for survivors to access the resources they need. In addition to its work at the state level, the ICADV is also active at the national level, working with other organizations to promote best practices in the prevention and response to domestic violence.
ICADV's Member Organizations:
The ICADV is made up of member organizations from across the state of Indiana. These organizations provide direct services to domestic violence survivors, including domestic violence shelters, domestic violence agencies, and domestic violence prevention programs.
Some of the member organizations of the ICADV include:
- Alternatives Inc.
-Domestic Violence Network
- Family Crisis Center
- LaCasa
- Project Woman
These are just a few of the organizations that make up the ICADV. To learn more about the work of the ICADV and its member organizations, or to find domestic violence resources in your area, please visit the ICADV website.
What Are the Goals of the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence:
ICADV works to achieve its mission through a variety of means, including public education, training and technical assistance, advocacy, and working with allies and partners.
Some of the specific goals of ICADV include:
- Increasing public awareness about domestic violence and its prevalence in our communities
- Providing domestic violence prevention education in schools and communities
- Working with legislators to pass domestic violence laws that protect victims and hold abusers accountable
- Supporting domestic violence shelters and domestic violence agencies across the state
- Operating a statewide 24-hour domestic violence hotline that provides crisis counseling, safety planning, and referrals to domestic violence shelters and domestic violence agencies
- Providing domestic violence survivors with support and resources through its website, including a domestic violence resource directory and a blog with articles on topics such as safety planning, healthy relationships, and coping with trauma.
Major Successes from the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence:
Since its inception, the ICADV has been a positive force for change in the state of Indiana.
Some of the major successes of ICADV include:
- Working with legislators to pass domestic violence laws that protect victims and hold abusers accountable
- Providing domestic violence prevention education in schools and communities
- Supporting domestic violence shelters and domestic violence agencies across the state
- Operating a statewide 24-hour domestic violence hotline that provides crisis counseling, safety planning, and referrals to domestic violence shelters and domestic violence agencies.
The Coalition is Building Community:
Through its programs, ICADV is working to reduce violence and build community. ICADV provides crisis intervention, counseling, and legal advocacy services to survivors of domestic violence. It also offers community education and outreach programs aimed at preventing violence before it occurs. In addition, ICADV works to engage community members in its work, by providing training and support to individuals interested in becoming involved in the fight against domestic violence. By providing access to resources and programs, ICADV is helping to reduce violence and build community.
Past Approaches to Domestic Violence Prevention:
In the past, domestic violence prevention efforts in Indiana have been focused on increasing public awareness and education. domestic violence hotlines have been set up across the state, and domestic violence courses are offered at many colleges and universities. While these steps are important, they are not enough to effectively address the problem. Indiana must do more to prevent domestic violence and support domestic violence survivors.
ICADV is Doing More:
The Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence is working to change the way domestic violence is addressed in Indiana. One of the ways we are doing this is by working to connect domestic violence victims with the services they need. We are also working to create a statewide domestic violence registry. This will help to track offenders and keep them from being able to purchase firearms. In addition, we are working to pass legislation that will specifically address domestic violence-related crimes. We believe that these steps will make a real difference in the fight against domestic violence in Indiana.
What You Can Do to Help the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence:
There are many ways you can help support the work of the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Some ways you can get involved include making a donation to support ICADV’s domestic violence prevention and support programs, volunteering your time to help with domestic violence prevention education programs, or domestic violence shelter support services, Advocating for domestic violence prevention and domestic violence survivors’ rights by contacting your legislators and urging them to support domestic violence legislation and spreading the word about the work of ICADV and domestic violence prevention through social media and other channels.
Nonviolence as a way of life:
The Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence is committed to nonviolence as a way of life. We believe that domestic violence is a result of the misuse of power and control and that violence is never an acceptable solution to any problem. We work to promote nonviolence in our homes, our relationships, our communities, and our world.
Reach Out:
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence's statewide domestic violence hotline at 1-800-332-7385 for crisis counseling, safety planning, and referrals to domestic violence shelters and domestic violence agencies in your area.
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