Report on Community Partnership to Address Domestic Violence in Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

In Rochester, New York, a strategic collaboration has been formed to address domestic violence, directly contributing to several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This report details the joint initiative by the Rochester Monroe County Domestic Violence Consortium and the Willow Domestic Violence Center, which convened community partners to enhance awareness and highlight resources for victims of violence, particularly during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Strategic Alliance for Global Goals (SDG 17)

The initiative exemplifies SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, by fostering a multi-stakeholder collaboration to achieve common objectives. The partnership leverages the collective strengths of various community entities to create a more robust support system for survivors.

• Primary Partners: The Rochester Monroe County Domestic Violence Consortium and the Willow Domestic Violence Center.
• Objective: To unite community champions, from state and county levels to frontline agencies, in a coordinated effort to support survivors of domestic violence.
• Statement of Record: Meaghan de Chateauvieux, President and CEO of Willow Domestic Violence Center, noted an encouraging increase in community champions “coming together in new ways” to support the work.

Advancing Gender Equality (SDG 5)

The core mission of this collaboration is to combat gender-based violence, a primary target of SDG 5: Gender Equality. By providing safe havens and accessible resources, the organizations work to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.

• Target 5.2: The initiative directly addresses the goal of eliminating all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres.
• Action: Raising awareness and providing direct support services are critical actions toward creating a society free from gender-based violence.

Promoting Well-being, Peace, and Justice (SDG 3 & SDG 16)

The partnership’s activities significantly contribute to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, and SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. The provision of support services is integral to the physical and mental health of survivors, while the consortium itself represents a strengthening of institutions dedicated to justice and the reduction of violence.

1. Health and Well-being (SDG 3): By offering a safe haven and support, the centers mitigate the severe health consequences of violence and promote mental and physical well-being for survivors and their families.
2. Peace and Justice (SDG 16): The collaborative effort works to significantly reduce all forms of violence (Target 16.1) by creating a strong, community-wide institutional framework for victim support and advocacy.

Community Resources and Contact Information

As part of the awareness campaign, critical resources have been highlighted for individuals in need of assistance. This dissemination of information is vital for ensuring access to justice and support services.

• Emergency Assistance: The Willow Domestic Violence Center operates a 24/7 hotline.
• Hotline Number: (585) 222-SAFE

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • The article’s central theme is domestic violence, a form of gender-based violence that disproportionately affects women and girls. By highlighting resources like the “Willow Domestic Violence Center” as a “safe haven” and raising awareness, the article directly connects to the goal of achieving gender equality and eliminating violence against women.

   SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • This goal aims to significantly reduce all forms of violence. The article discusses community-wide efforts to support “victims of violence” and highlights the role of institutions like the Rochester Monroe County Domestic Violence Consortium and the Willow Center in providing safety and resources. These actions contribute to building more peaceful and just communities where individuals have access to support systems.

   SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • The article explicitly describes a partnership as a core element of the initiative. It states that the “Rochester Monroe County Domestic Violence Consortium and the Willow Domestic Violence Center brought its community partners together.” This collaboration among different organizations to achieve a common goal is the essence of SDG 17.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • Target 5.2: “Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres…” The entire focus of the article on raising awareness for Domestic Violence Awareness Month and providing resources like a 24/7 hotline is a direct effort to combat and eliminate domestic violence, a key component of this target.

   SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.1: “Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.” The provision of a “safe haven” and an emergency hotline are concrete measures aimed at protecting victims from harm and reducing the incidence and severity of violence within the community.

   SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • Target 17.17: “Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships…” The article is a clear example of this target in action, showcasing a partnership between civil society organizations (the Consortium and the Willow Center) to mobilize “community champions” and other agencies to address a complex social issue.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   Implied Indicators for SDG 5 and SDG 16

   • The article does not provide specific data, but it implies indicators for measuring progress. The existence and promotion of the “Willow Domestic Violence 24/7 Hotline” suggests that the number of calls to the hotline or the number of survivors accessing services at the center could be used as indicators. These metrics can help measure the reach of support services and the level of need within the community, reflecting efforts to address violence under Targets 5.2 and 16.1.

   Implied Indicators for SDG 17

   • The article implies an indicator for partnership effectiveness. The quote from the CEO of the Willow Center, who is “most encouraged by is the number of community champions who are coming forward,” directly suggests that the growth in community engagement and the formation of new partnerships are key measures of success for their collaborative efforts, aligning with Target 17.17.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators
   SDG 5: Gender Equality	Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls.	Implied Indicator: The number of survivors and families utilizing the services of the Willow Domestic Violence Center and its 24/7 hotline.
   SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions	Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence.	Implied Indicator: The availability and accessibility of support resources for victims of violence, such as the 24/7 hotline.
   SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals	Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.	Implied Indicator: The number of community partners and “community champions” actively engaged in supporting the work of the consortium and the center.

Source: 13wham.com