National Domestic Violence Awareness Month: A Report on Local Efforts and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

October is designated as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, providing a crucial opportunity to assess community responses to intimate partner violence. This report analyzes the initiatives within Ada County, Idaho, and the surrounding region, framing them within the context of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Efforts to combat domestic violence are integral to achieving global targets for health, equality, and justice.

The Scope of Domestic Violence: A Challenge to Global Goals

Data from the National Domestic Violence Hotline reveals the pervasive nature of intimate partner violence in the United States, highlighting a significant barrier to sustainable development.

Statistical Overview

• An average of 24 people per minute, or over 12 million annually, are victims of rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner.
• Nearly 3 in 10 women (29%) and 1 in 10 men (10%) have experienced intimate partner violence with a reported impact on their functioning.
• Severe physical violence by an intimate partner has been experienced by 1 in 4 women (24.3%) and 1 in 7 men (13.8%) in their lifetime.
• Psychological aggression by an intimate partner has affected nearly half of all women (48.4%) and men (48.8%).
• Women aged 18 to 34 generally experience the highest rates of intimate partner violence.

Impact on Sustainable Development Goals

These statistics demonstrate a direct conflict with several key SDGs:

1. SDG 5: Gender Equality: The disproportionately high rates of violence against women underscore the challenge in achieving Target 5.2, which calls for the elimination of all forms of violence against all women and girls.
2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The physical and psychological trauma resulting from abuse undermines Target 3.4, which aims to promote mental health and well-being.
3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: Domestic violence is a fundamental breach of peace and security, directly opposing Target 16.1, which seeks to significantly reduce all forms of violence.

Multi-Sectoral Response in Idaho: Fostering Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17)

A coordinated response involving law enforcement, government agencies, and non-profit organizations is essential. This collaborative approach exemplifies SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Law Enforcement and Community Outreach

Law enforcement agencies across the Treasure Valley, including the Ada and Canyon County Sheriff’s Offices and the Boise, Caldwell, Nampa, Garden City, and Meridian Police Departments, are actively engaged in the awareness campaign. Their efforts to share information and resources contribute to building stronger, more responsive institutions as outlined in SDG 16.

Key Support Organizations

• Ada County Victim Services Center
• Women’s and Children’s Alliance (WCA)
• Faces of Hope
• Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence
• Idaho Council on Domestic Violence and Victim Assistance

A Framework for Survivor Support Aligned with SDGs

The services provided by local organizations create a comprehensive support system that addresses the multifaceted needs of survivors and aligns with a broad range of development goals.

Ensuring Health, Well-being, and Safety (SDG 3)

• 24/7 Crisis Intervention: The National Domestic Violence Hotline (800-799-7233) and the WCA’s local hotlines provide immediate support.
• Emergency Shelter: The WCA offers secure housing for those fleeing abusive situations.
• Comprehensive Care: The Ada County Victim Services Center and Faces of Hope provide crisis counseling, forensic examinations, and safety planning.

Promoting Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions (SDG 16)

• Legal Assistance: Free legal workshops at the Ada County Victim Services Center help survivors with protection orders, divorce, and custody filings.
• Court Advocacy: The WCA provides support for survivors navigating the justice system.
• Victim Notification: The VINE system allows victims to track offender custody status, enhancing safety.
• Financial Compensation: Idaho’s Crime Victims Compensation Program helps cover costs associated with violent crime, ensuring access to justice is not impeded by financial hardship.

Advancing Gender Equality and Economic Empowerment (SDG 5, SDG 1, SDG 8)

• Financial Empowerment: The WCA offers financial literacy and skill-building classes to help survivors achieve economic independence, a key factor in breaking the cycle of violence.
• Case Management: Faces of Hope provides comprehensive assistance, connecting individuals with resources for employment, food, housing, and other necessities, contributing to poverty reduction (SDG 1) and promoting decent work (SDG 8).

Reducing Inequalities and Ensuring Inclusive Support (SDG 10)

• The Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence explicitly states its commitment to supporting individuals who face intersecting forms of oppression, including racism, transphobia, and classism. This inclusive approach is vital for achieving SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by ensuring that support services are accessible to all vulnerable populations.

For immediate, life-threatening emergencies, individuals should contact 911.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

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

1. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • The article extensively discusses domestic violence, a form of gender-based violence that disproportionately affects women. It provides statistics showing that “Nearly 3 in 10 women (29%)” have experienced violence from a partner. The work of organizations like the Women’s and Children’s Alliance (WCA) and the Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence, which focuses on protecting women, girls, and gender-oppressed people, directly aligns with achieving gender equality.
2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article highlights the severe health consequences of domestic violence, including physical injury, rape, and psychological aggression. Statistics like “Just under 15% of women (14.8%) and 4% of men in the US have been injured as a result of intimate partner violence” point to the physical health impacts. Furthermore, the provision of services such as “crisis counseling,” “therapy services,” and “support groups” by organizations like the WCA and Faces of Hope directly addresses the mental health and well-being of survivors.
3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • The article emphasizes the role of justice and institutional support for victims. It mentions the involvement of law enforcement agencies, the establishment of the Ada County Victim Services Center, and the availability of legal aid for protection orders, divorce, and custody. These initiatives, along with programs like Idaho’s Crime Victims Compensation Program and the VINE notification system, are crucial for promoting the rule of law, ensuring access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable institutions to protect citizens from violence.

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

1. Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres.
   • The article’s entire focus is on domestic violence, which is violence occurring in the private sphere. The awareness campaigns, resources, and support systems described are all aimed at eliminating this form of violence against women, girls, and other victims.
2. Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.
   • The article addresses various forms of intimate partner violence, including physical violence, rape, stalking, and psychological aggression. The efforts of community organizations and law enforcement to provide resources, education, and support are direct actions toward the goal of reducing these forms of violence.
3. Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
   • The article mentions that organizations like the Women’s and Children’s Alliance and Faces of Hope provide services to those affected by child abuse, directly contributing to this target.
4. Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and local levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
   • The article details multiple mechanisms for accessing justice, such as free legal assistance workshops for completing forms for “divorce, custody, child support and protection orders,” the ability to file for civil protection orders without charge, and legal aid services. These services are designed to ensure victims can access the legal system.

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

1. Indicator 5.2.1: Proportion of ever-partnered women and girls subjected to physical, sexual or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner.
   • The article explicitly provides statistics from the National Domestic Violence Hotline that serve as direct measurements for this indicator. For example: “Over 1 in 3 women (35.6%) … in the US have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime,” and “Almost half of all women … in the US have experienced psychological aggression by an intimate partner in their lifetime (48.4%).” The article also breaks this down by age, noting that “Women ages 18 to 24 and 25 to 34 generally experience the highest rates of intimate partner violence.”
2. Indicator 16.1.3: Proportion of population subjected to physical, psychological or sexual violence in the previous 12 months.
   • The article provides data relevant to this indicator, stating, “An average of 24 people per minute are victims of rape, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner in the United States — more than 12 million women and men over the course of a single year.” This statistic quantifies the population subjected to violence annually.
3. Indicator 16.3.3: Proportion of the population who have experienced a dispute in the past two years and who accessed a formal or informal dispute resolution mechanism.
   • While the article does not provide a specific proportion, it implies this indicator by describing the various justice mechanisms available to victims. The existence and promotion of services like the “Ada County Victim Services Center,” “Idaho Legal Aid,” and the process for obtaining “civil protection orders” are qualitative measures of access to justice. The number of people using these services could be tracked to quantify progress.

Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: ktvb.com