Resources

Becky's Fund constantly strives to ensure the communities it serves have the resources necessary to combat the epidemic of domestic violence. To this end, research, links to other organizations, and other materials and useful information are being compiled by Becky's Fund--and some of which will be available here, from PSAs to resources for victims. Check back often!

Building Community Resources

Need for Funding

During stressful economic times, like those we are living in now, the need for domestic abuse resources increases.  According to the DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence (DDCADV), their “member programs have reported a tremendous increase in demand for services and assistance, including crisis calls to hotlines, requests for shelter, counseling, legal services, transitional housing and services for children”.  This increase in need has not been reflected in the decisions of the funders – rather than increasing funding to keep up with the demand for services, funding for domestic violence programs and services is decreasing.

The decrease in funding is also the result of the economic downtown, which has affected government and foundation budgets as well as individual giving.  The budget cuts for domestic violence services are occurring not only in the DC area, but around the U.S.  WEAVE, Women Empowered Against Violence, is one of the resources in the District strongly feeling the effects of the poor economic times.  In early September their Board voted to begin the process of shutting down the organization.  Due to a last-minute campaign for donations, WEAVE was able to raise the $85,000 it needed to pay off their immediate expenses before its September 30 deadline.  The organization is still looking for more long-term funding sources to ensure its ability to continue operating and serving the area’s victims of domestic abuse.

Our community resources can only exist with adequate funding.  The District’s leaders need to recognize the need for domestic violence services and increase funding levels appropriated to these programs.  The DCCADV has outlined an exact demand for funding in their FY10 SAFETY Funding Initiative.  The Initiative would stabilize and maintain the programs that support and counsel victims and provide legal representation, technical assistance, education and youth prevention services.  Find more information at http://www.dccadv.org/docs/DVFundingFY10_recommendations.pdf.   

Victim Advocacy

When assisting with domestic violence-related cases the first concern is for the victim’s well-being. They worry about the victim’s relationships with her family members, and how her parents and children will react to the news. They question the victim’s judgment and monitor her emotional state. They also treat the victim with extra care; helping her move forward and feel comfortable again with starting new relationships. And while it’s never wrong to have concern for the victim’s re-socialization process, it cannot be a substitute for other resources.

The level of emotional abuse inflicted upon domestic violence victims often distracts us from another significant element of the abuse: how the abuser cuts off the victim’s resources. The struggle to free oneself from domestic abuse doesn’t end simply by leaving the home. The primary goal of fleeing abuse is to re-establish one’s life as an economically independent, liberated individual. Unfortunately a primary tactic used by abusive partners is to manipulate and control resources, particularly financial and personal assets so that leaving the abuser often involves leaving the resources one requires for independent survival. Whether it be as crucial as a new home or as simple as even having a place to sleep at night, victims who have gathered the strength to leave require assistance not just for separation but for rehabilitation as well.

Becky’s Fund encourages our friends and volunteers to start donating to battered women’s shelters. The mission at House of Ruth and other institutions in Washington D.C. is to provide women with a safe place to stay after making the tough decision to leave. Shelters are dramatically underfunded, each year bracing themselves for budgetary cuts, and thus, rely heavily on personal contributions. From necessities like beds and hygienic products to comforts like extra clothing and children’s toys, there are so many different items you can donate that would be monumental in the helping someone start their life over. Put yourself in the shoes of someone who has to completely abandon their home and all their possessions, and imagine how much you would appreciate even the smallest of donations. Becky’s Fund hopes you’ll join us in taking the extra step to help domestic violence victims rejuvenate their lives not just emotionally, but in assisting their steps towards independence as well.