While the majority of Americans know someone who has been a victim of domestic violence or sexual assault, most have not reached out to help the victims of abuse or discuss the issues with their children or friends, a survey funded by the Avon Foundation for Women finds.
Based on a survey of teenagers and adults, NO MORE Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Survey of Attitudes and Experiences of Teens and Adults (10 pages, PDF) found that 60 percent of respondents know a victim of domestic violence or sexual assault; that sizable majorities of respondents have not discussed domestic violence (67 percent) or sexual assault (73 percent) with friends; and that 73 percent of parents with children under the age of 18 have not talked about domestic violence or sexual assault with their children. While 75 percent of those surveyed said they would step in to help a stranger who is being abused, 58 percent of women who experienced domestic violence and then told someone about it said no one helped them.
“The data shows us that conversations about these issues simply are not happening,” said Carol Kurzig, president of the Avon Foundation for Women. “That silence leaves victims trapped by the shame, stigma, and fear that these crimes carry. If we can encourage more people to start talking, we can end that cycle and bring these issues to light in a new way.”
To that end, the foundation has announced that it will fund the development of Breakthrough Bystander Behavior Training Programs to help employers educate their employees about the signs of abuse and how to better support victims. As part of the foundation’s Speak Out Against Domestic Violence program, the training will be rolled out in partnership with the NO MORE coalition, which includes domestic violence and sexual assault service and advocacy agencies nationwide.
Population of focus: Teens and adults
Links to resource:
- Survey results (pdf)
- Press release on FoundationCenter.org
Date: 2013
Organization: Avon Foundation for Women