“Why did she stay?” “I would never be that weak,” “Those women just need to get stronger.” “She was asking for it,” “She shouldn’t have gone to his room.”

Domestic and sexual Violence is a global epidemic impacting more individuals than war and cancer combined.  Yet misinformation and misconceptions are actively fueling this injustice.  If we’re to eradicate interpersonal violence, we must first end victim-blaming.

The #WhyIStayed hashtag was well intentioned but it’s a good answer to a bad question.  Why don’t we start asking men why they hit, rape or assault?  Victims are most likely to be vulnerable to violence when separated and the second most vulnerable group is when they divorce.  Consider the woman who is told every night that she will die if she leaves her abuser.  Consider the woman whose abuser uses their children as a pawn to make her stay.  Consider the woman whose abuser makes her depend on him for financial stability and a home.  Then, think about what you would do to stay in alive in such a situation, even if it meant staying with him/her.  75% of women are killed while trying to leave an abusive relationship.

In 2014, Womanspace:
*Served 6,426 hotline callers
*Professionally trained & Educated 6,589 community members
*Served 208 women and children at the safe house
*Went on 72 sexual assault accompaniments
*Served 3,396 clients in our counseling office
*Advocated for over 1,440 clients

Help us continue to provide valuable lifesaving programs and services to our survivors. Raise your voice and be an advocate for change by giving to Womanspace’s 2015 Annual Appeal. 

Thank you for your past contributions. They have truly helped to sustain Womanspace.