"What a caterpillar thinks is the end, a butterfly knows is just the beginning."

Survivors Movement Network Domestic Violence Doesn't Need to Happen! Victims, Survivors and Advocates Creating a Better Tomorrow.

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This video says it all!! Please watch it, read what it says, listen to the song, then absorb the meaning. This is no joke!!  It happens all the time!!  Feel free to share this far and wide.   D.A.S.H.- Walk against Domestic Violence The Butterfly Effect was founded in memory of LaTrisha Pruitt. We lost Latrisha to domestic violence 11/24/2007. LaTrisha  leaves behind three little girls ages 7, 5, and 8 months (currently) , her mother (Elaine) , Step-father (Cyrus) , two brothers ( James & her twin LaTrell) , One sister-n-law (Christy) , One niece age 13 , & one nephew age 4 . More... "United Angels Against Domestic Violence (UAADV), has joined the crusade to help bring National attention to our Coast Guard domestic violence case. This is any area where possibly the leadership of the the Coast Guard Office of Civil Rights could come into play."  Excerpt from Coast Guard Report.org  UAADV has picked up and will continue to follow, support, and spread the word on the Ruggiero case.  Something must be done, pressure needs to be put on the Coast Guard to do the right thing and protect this woman and child. More...... UAADV is Supporting a Survivor of Domestic Violence whom is in the running to become Miss Virginia.  Her platform is "Breaking the Silence - Domestic Violence Prevention and Awareness".  More...... Normalcy Written by a 21yr old Child Survivor of Domestic Violence for his Creative Writing Class.  Permission given to share.............. "The routine would continue on, until one night, the normalcy in my life came to a sudden bloody end. " More...... Rock Goddess Festival (for Peace) September, 20-21 2008 at 2nd ATLANTA Rock Goddess Festival (for Peace) @ Lenny’s Bar, Downtown Atlanta More..... 'Til Death Do Us Part Documentary This is a documentary that has been 5 years in the making. Prior to 1992, women were unable to use their abuse as testimony in criminal trials. Therefore, hundreds of women are serving life sentences in prison for killing their abuser in the defense of their life, or the lives of their children. I interviewed 40 women, 13 of their stories are incorporated in this feature length documentary. More..... UAADV Represented States   List of UAADV states that are represented by Volunteers to help bridge the gaps and bring the support and awareness to their communities. Parental Alienation Syndrome: What does it Matter for Battered Women and their Children?  Join Jewish Women International for a 60-minute live teleconference presented by Joan Zorza, Esq., founding editor of both Domestic Violence Report and Sexual Assault Report; and Molly Dragiewicz, PhD, assistant professor in the faculty of Criminology, Justice, and Policy Studies at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology outside of Toronto. The live telephone seminar will take place Thursday, November 1, 2007   More........... Action Alert!!! Seeking Survivor Stories about the Need for Legal Services As many of you undoubtedly know, Senator Biden has been a tireless advocate for victims of domestic violence, and specifically the Violence Against Women Act which has provided, among other things, invaluable funding for civil legal attorneys to provide representation to victims of domestic violence.  PDF American Bar Association Commission on Domestic Violence   ACTION ALERT!!!!!! A child who just turned 14 6 days prior to a rape from a 38 year old Orlando Paul Cisneros, her family is NOT getting the justice they deserve.  Because she was 14, not 13, Megan's Law was not held in her case, and instead of the 25 mandatory years he could have been facing if she was still 13, Shawnee County Judge Matthew Downd sentenced him to three years probation, instead of the suggested 13 years behind bars.  Even with him sodomizing and raping her, being found guilty of 17 felony counts, this child rapist is free today.  He not only raped and sodomized her, but built a sick relationship with a child with her.  With a child barely 14!!  Every parents nightmare has come true here....... and yet justice has not been served.  More......   IFCAA Announces Moms Lawfully Fighting for Their Children Labeled Threats to Judges and Terrorists CHICAGO – May 21, 2007 – Illinois Family Court Accountability Advocates (nnix, and Ms. Karyn Mehringer, announce that in response to subpoenas issued to Cook County Sheriff Thomas Dart and Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran material evidence has been obtained that Cook County Judge Karen G. Shields initiated an apparently http://www.uaadv.org/IFCAA-Announcement.htmlfraudulent police report against three IFCAA co-members on August 16, 2006. Mothers File International Complaint Against the United States On May 11, just before Mother's Day weekend, ten Mothers, on victimized child, now and adult, and twelve leading national organizations filed a complaint against the United States with the Inter American Commission on Human Rights.  Their petition claims that U.S. courts, by frequently awarding child custody to abusers and child molesters, has failed to protect the life, liberties, security and other human rights of abused mothers and their children.  (more)   Abuse Under the Watch of Oregon's Justice System Tim King Salem-News.com A victim's first scream is for help; a victim's second scream is for justice." - Coral Anika Theill (SALEM, Ore.) - Just when you thought you knew what was going on in your community, here comes a story that just may shatter the security of your American Dream. This is a story about abuse, survival, false religion and dubious court systems in a state that may be advanced on some levels, but sometimes proves to be a miserable failure in terms of equity and fairness and conventional thinking. Please read and leave a comment on your feelings to Tim King. Today the National Center for Victims of Crime launched VictimLaw, a comprehensive, on-line database of state, federal, and tribal victims' right laws and protections, developed with funding from the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department  of Justice.  Read more.......                                                                                             Burn Letters The exercise is to write a burn letter & in this letter you could write it to who ever you wanted & say the things on your mind, the next process is to burn it, shred it, tear it up & throw it away or even keep it.  The idea is to be free to say what you need to say so you no longer hold it inside and allow it to poison you & the burning allows you to release ownership of whatever is in the letter. A few have chosen to share theirs.... On March 16-17, 2007, Sturm College of Law, University of Denver will hold its second national domestic violence conference entitled… Battered Mothers and Witnessing Children: Failure to Protect and Conceptions of State Accountability Are we really protecting battered women and their children? Are state initiatives such as the Green Book Project, mandatory arrest, mandatory reporting of domestic violence by doctors, providing the safety net that battered women and their children need and deserve? What is the state of the law and our ability to protect women and children? Please See The Calendar of Events US Department of Peace The primary function of a Untied States Department of Peace will be to research, articulate and facilitate nonviolent solutions to domestic and international conflict.  The legislation was re-introduced into the House of Representatives (H.R. 3760) and introduced for the first time into the Senate (S. 1756) This past September. Class Action Lawsuit for All NCM's This is a Class Action Lawsuit for All Mothers who are fighting for their children.  This Class Action Lawsuit will be done free of charge.  If you are fighting for your children, you need to read this! Information on the Voter and Address Confidentiality Program Voter registration is a public record and can be viewed by almost anyone.  While access is sometimes limited to political parties/candidates, journalists and academia, a study conducted by The California Voter Foundation  indicates that 22 states have unrestricted access to voter records. Address Confidentiality Programs (ACP) and Confidential Voter Listings are programs administered by the state enabling victims of domestic violence (and sometimes victims of sexual assault and/or stalking) Voter registration is a public record and can be accessed by almost anyone. While access is sometimes limited to political parties/candidates, journalists and academia, a study conducted by indicates that 22 states have unrestricted access to voter records. Address Confidentiality Programs (ACP) and Confidential Voter Listings are programs administered by the state enabling victims of domestic violence (and sometime victims of sexual assault and/or stalking) to participate in the voting process without fear of being found by their abusers. ACPs generally provide a substitute address for all public records. Confidential Voter Listings only provide confidentiality on election-related public records. Currently, only 23 states provide these life saving options. Below is a listing of existing confidentiality programs. **Please note: while legislation has been passed in each of these states to create Address and Voter Confidentiality Programs, state funding may limit program availability. "Children Taken By The Family Courts" Quilt This year, the Battered Mothers Custody Conference is going to host a community quilt entitled "Children Taken by the Family Courts."   The quilt will be modeled after the AIDS quilt that was started in 1987 and that has since grown tremendously, gaining wide publicity for the cause of combating AIDS and HIV infection.   Up and coming on UAADV! AOM Corner   AOM (Angels Outreach Ministries) Corner will be launched soon on UAADV.  We of Christian Faith want to reach out to those Victims & Survivors that need support in their relationship with God.  Whether you become a member of our AOM Group or not, this will be here for you soon.  For those affected by Domestic Violence have someone on their side that abusers will never have, and that's God. UAADV TEENS   We will soon be launching our UAADV TEENS section of UAADV.  We feel that reaching out to teens about Domestic Violence is a necessary movement towards decreasing Domestic Violence in the future. UAADV KIDZ   We will soon be launching our UAADV KIDZ section of UAADV.  Many state that Domestic Violence doesn't affect the children, they are wrong.  Here will be a safe place for children to learn, have support, heal, share, and know that they aren't alone. What's New on UAADV? Squares of Hope The Mission of Squares for Hope for Domestic Violence Survivors is quite simple.  We  are striving to get as many squares together so that we may get as many afghans made as possible to help comfort DV Survivors, Victims, and the families and children left behind when one looses the battle.  Your squares donated will be matched up with other squares donated, and a picture of each finished Crocheted Square Afghan will be shared. Wings of Hope - Contributing Angels (WOHCA) We are a group of contributing and crafty women who wish to assist victims of Domestic Violence with our handmade items. Although we are mostly craft types we also make gift bags/baskets with essentials such as personal hygiene items. You don't have to have a craft to enjoy your stay with us and help those in need. These items go to adults and children who have to go through the safe home system and start their lives over in order to live safe and free from abusers. No matter what your craft YOU can help someone by showing you care. Some of our crafts include, and definitely aren't limited to, crochet, knit, sewing, bead work, painting, and origami to name but a few! Survivors Stories and Protective Parent Stories There are new stories on UAADV, and more coming soon.  If you have a story that you would like to share, please do so!  In order to Raise Awareness and help others understand the true affects of DV and what it means to become a Non-Custodial Mom, it takes sharing our stories to do so. Remember Our Names UAADV would like to share with you the stories of those that lost their battle against Domestic Violence.  We, as Survivors, will be their voices and share their stories in hopes that others will understand how much of a travesty Domestic Violence really is.  Please, remember not only their names, but the life they lived and lost to such a senseless act.......... If you would like to share a story of a loved one that has been lost due to Domestic Violence, please do so.  Special Notices Here UAADV.org will share any Special Notices that we feel need to go out.  Please check these when you visit!  This will be updated when there is a Specail Notice that needs to go up. UAADV Flyers and Tri-Folds New flyers and informational tri-folds have been uploaded, please take a look and share where ever and when ever possible. Updated Information on the UAADV Copyright and Content Disclaimer New Informational Pages Domestic violence and children - Domestic violence (often called ‘family violence’) can include physical, verbal, sexual or emotional abuse. Children who witness regular acts of violence have greater emotional and behavioral problems than other children. Even very young children can be profoundly frightened and affected. Domestic violence - tips for children - If you live in a home where there is a lot of violence, it can be very upsetting and frightening. Violence in the home is always wrong and it’s never your fault. These tips might help you learn more about how to stay safe, what to do, types of violence and how to get help if you are being hurt. Guardians Ad Litem In Private Custody Litigation: the Case For Abolition - On July 17, 2000, the San Francisco Daily Journal published an editorial written by then sixteen-year-old Alanna Krause, an honor student and the daughter of a prominent and wealthy California attorney. The essay poignantly brought a very rarely seen ’consumer’s’ perspective to the issue of guardians ad litem in private custody cases. She began her articulate discussion with accurate observations: Guidelines for Mental Health Professionals - Best Practices in Domestic Violence Cases; Screening for Domestic Violence; Responding to Disclosure; Couple and Family Counseling; and Safety Planning Help!  I Still Love My Abuser! - In a recent email, a reader asked the following question:  "Why do I continue to feel love for this person that abused me? I DON'T miss  the abuse, but I do miss the good times we had... I still cry sometimes because I miss what I thought we had. Is this normal?" Hot-Line Help Numbers Just Exactly What is Codependence? - Some of the nicest people I know are codependent. They always smile, never refuse to do a favor. They are happy and bubbly all the time. They understand others and have the ability to make people feel good. People like them! Learning To Love Yourself - According to the song written by Michael Masser and Linda Creed, Greatest Love of All "The greatest love of all / Is easy to achieve / Learning to love yourself / It is the greatest love of all." I agree that, for many people, self-love may be the greatest and most important love they ever experience in this lifetime. However, for so many people, "learning to love yourself" does not seem so "easy to achieve." For most of us, genuine self-love seems so elusive, so much harder to grasp than we expected. In my last piece, I spoke about the importance of self-love. Now, I would like to give some practical suggestions - some first steps -- on how to learn to love yourself. Love Addiction - Love addiction is often perceived to be "less serious" than other process addictions (i.e., compulsive sexual addictions, eating disorders, or self-harm/mutilation addictions). Perhaps because it sounds "softer." In reality, it is extremely painful and can be very dangerous to both the addict and their partners. Many abusive relationships, suicides, murders, stalking, rapes, and other crimes of passion have their roots in this addiction. Maternal Alienation Fact Sheet - Sometimes a man who is violent within his family alienates children from their mother as an ongoing part of that abuse. He often isolates his partner from any sources of support, and is skilful at convincing her family, the neighbours, the children's school, and any professionals involved with the family, that she is mad or bad. This type of abuse has been called maternal alienation. JEC-Overview Of Domestic Violence - Domestic violence can affect proceedings in all of New Mexico's courts. It arises in various criminal contexts, ranging in seriousness from misdemeanor property offenses to murder. It can also be an important factor in civil proceedings, most notably in the area of domestic relations. In whatever context it occurs, domestic violence presents the court with unique concerns, the foremost of which is the safety of the litigants and court personnel. These heightened safety concerns arise from the intimate relationship between the perpetrator and the victim of domestic violence. This relationship increases the potential for danger in the following ways: Parenting - coping with stress - Being a parent brings out a range of powerful emotions from exhilaration to despair. Your feelings of love, happiness and pride may quickly turn to anger, hate or guilt, depending on the situation and the degree of support available to you. These feelings are completely normal. Most parents experience negative emotions from time to time. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Identification and Diagnosis - Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) disrupts the functioning of those afflicted by it, interfering with the ability to meet their daily needs and perform the most basic tasks. Trauma continues to intrude on the lives of people with PTSD as they relive the life-threatening experiences they have suffered with visual, auditory and/or somatic reality, reacting in mind and body as though such events were still occurring. Pseudo Love - "Love addiction" is about pseudo love, about the external, stereotypic appearance of love. It is not about love. While a love addict may look as if she is pursuing intimacy with a vengeance, she is, in fact, running away from intimacy as fast as she can. Love addiction is about unhealthy dependency and about poor self esteem. It is about a fear of abandonment and about an impaired sense of identify. It is about holding on to a relationship(s) at all costs. It is not about loving too much. Self-Love and Narcissism - There are two important differences between healthy self-love and malignant narcissism: Self-Love and Self-Destruction - Tips For How To Love Yourself - Learning to love yourself isn't easy -- especially if you're a survivor of childhood abuse or neglect. But there are things you can do to boost your self-love. Sexual (And Love) Addiction - Sexual addiction is rapidly becoming recognized as a major social problem with similarities more well-known to alcohol and drug addiction or compulsive gambling. We are becoming accustomed to hearing about sexual scandals in our communities, in the workplace, in churches and schools, even in the White House, involving those in which we place our trust. Toxic Love - "As long as we believe that someone else has the power to make us happy then we are setting ourselves up to be victims" - Codependence: The Dance of Wounded Souls Why a Victim Stays or Returns - None of these are being shared to provide victims with "excuses" for remaining with an abusive partner. These are being shared because if victims understand some of the reasons why they stay then those who do want to leave an abusive relationship can work on overcoming these:

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