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The Prevention Perspective: May 2021

24-Hour Domestic Violence Hotline: 208.343.7025 24-hour Rape Crisis Hotline: 208.345.7273 (RAPE)

Tracy Darling-DeMarcus, Prevention Program Manager

Preventing domestic, dating or sexual violence requires a myriad of strategies. There are individual, relational, community and societal level factors that all play a role in violence prevention. Social norms are one of the most powerful societal and community influences in shaping behavior. When those norms support harmful behaviors or normalize the tolerance of violence, it is more likely to happen. There are a number of harmful social norms that impact violence and one of these is the norm of privacy and silence.

Many people avoid talking about issues they view as embarrassing or shameful, like mental illness or relationship abuse. For generations, domestic and sexual violence have been treated as taboo and seen as an issue to be kept private or “no one else’s business”. But privacy and silence can lead to dangerous inaction, hopelessness and harm.

During May, Mental Health Awareness Month, we are challenged to break the stigma around mental illness, which means critically examining the beliefs we hold around privacy and silence. Do we value privacy or comfort more than someone’s health and safety? How can we challenge this harmful social norm? Break the stigma, break the silence.

 

 

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EVENTS

Sep 29

2023

Domestic Violence Awareness Month – 2023

Domestic Violence Awareness Month October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the WCA will be holding a joint press conference on September 29 at the Idaho Peace Officers’ Memorial at 10am. The WCA and other Domestic Violence service providers will be on site with information and awareness raising materials for our community members. Elected officials […]

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Oct 01

2023

Sue B Stroll and 5K October 1, 2023

Join us for the 14th annual SueB 5k  and  3k  Urban  stroll  for  Every-Body Continuing to honor the memory of Susan “SueB” Newby, the 14th annual SueB 5K Fun Run will kick off on Sunday, October 1st at 12 noon at Julia Davis Park. You can sign up to participate here with 5K registration starting at $25. […]

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Oct 01

2023

SueB 5k and Family Friendly Scavenger Hunt October 1, 2023

Join us for the 14th annual SueB 5k and 3k Family Friendly Scavenger Hunt for EveryBODY! The 14th annual SueB 5k and 3k Scavenger Hunt will be on October 1, 2023 and we hope you can join us! We invite you to join us to raise awareness about domestic abuse, while memorializing the life of […]

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Oct 18

2023

Witches Night Out at the Village

Mark your calendars for Witches Night Out on October 18, 2023 from 6 – 9 p.m. Wednesday, October 18 we will be celebrating Witches Night Out at The Village at Meridian, hosted by Meridian’s Centercal Properties and its marvelous merchants. Several sponsors help make the evening a resounding success, raising funds for the WCA’ clients’ […]

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Dec 14

2023

Concert for Cause

Mark you calendars for 2023 Concert for Cause – December 14th Thursday, December 14th 94.9 The River is excited to present headlining artist Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness with Michigander and Arlie for their 2023 Concert for Cause benefitting the WCA! Join us at The Knitting Factory Concert House in Bodo for an evening of […]

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