Since January, there have been drastic changes to federal policy and the overall climate of the United States. We’ve seen a change in immigration policy, with a heavy ICE presence in cities, workplaces, and what were previously protected safe havens. We’ve seen an erasure of gender identity and sexual orientation in federally funded research, care, and policy which largely impacts the LGBTQ+ community, especially trans and nonbinary folks. Programs have also faced budget cuts and a removal of federal funding. These changes, among others, have reached a variety of populations, communities, and services, including survivors of domestic violence. Due to these changes, survivors may be fearful or unsure about reaching out for help.
However, it is important to remember that as a movement, we have been fighting for survivors for a long time, even in the face of laws and culture that did not support survivors. For example, the Doctrine of Coverture, which dates back to the 10th century, stated that a woman’s legal status as a person disappeared after marriage. There were also the Laws of Chastisement, which gave men the legal right to physically punish their wives. Even once these laws were no longer in place and domestic violence became illegal, many people still believed that domestic violence was a private matter and not something others should get involved in.
The modern domestic violence movement began in the 1960s. In 1976, the group that became the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV) started in someone’s kitchen. By 1987, there was a domestic violence shelter in every county in Pennsylvania. Communities were dedicated to providing safe spaces for survivors despite the challenges they faced and the history and societal beliefs that they were up against.
Today, we continue to stand with survivors, no matter their immigration status, gender identity, or sexual orientation. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, help is available.
You can call the Philadelphia Domestic Violence Hotline any time, day or night, 365 days a year. Our advocates will provide free, non-judgmental, and confidential support. We can support in any language, using translation services when needed.
While every call is different and tailored to each survivor’s needs, here is what you can expect if you call a hotline. When you call, an advocate will first be there to listen to your story, only if you choose to tell it. Our advocates will listen to your concerns and your needs. From there, we will help you work through your potential options. This may look like safety planning. It could be providing information on other resources you may be looking for. It could also look like connecting you with one of the four domestic violence agencies in Philadelphia: Women In Transition, Congreso de Latinos Unidos, Lutheran Settlement House, and Women Against Abuse.
*A monthly column by the Philadelphia Domestic Violence Collaborative. This is part of a monthly series by Congreso de Latinos Unidos, Lutheran Settlement House, Women Against Abuse and Women in Transition that will share information about domestic violence, the available local resources, and how to be an advocate for healthy relationships.