On January 21, some marched in Washington DC, attended a local rally, or supported in spirit. Others didn’t agree with all of the issues of the march or felt as if it created more divisions. We don’t have to agree on every issue, but we can all agree on one thing: saving $1.48 per year in taxes (the annual cost of VAWA funds for each American taxpayer) is not worth thousands of our sisters’ and daughters’ lives.
Safe Harbor is one of many domestic violence agencies whose ability to serve victims of domestic violence is under threat. If the Office of Violence Against Women is defunded, victims will lose access to life-saving services and deaths due to domestic violence will increase, not only in the upstate and in SC where we have always been ranked in the top ten, but throughout the entire country.
Read more about the potential defunding of VAWA: https://safeharborsc.org/vawa-under-threat/
You can become an advocate for survivors of domestic violence in our community through:
Legislative Advocacy:
Use this easy tool to appeal to your legislators to protect VAWA funding: http://nnedv.org/news/5248-tell-congress-protect-violence-against-women-act-funding.html
Social Advocacy:
Tell your friends, neighbors and colleagues about the Violence Against Women Act and why these funds are essential for our nation. Encourage them to share their voices with legislators as well.
Community Education:
Host an “In Her Shoes” event Learn more at: https://safeharborsc.org/upcoming-events/in-her-shoes/
Support Safe Harbor’s Mission by:
Attending an Event:
Safe Harbor’s next event, Fashion with a Passion, is March 2nd. Come out and enjoy a great evening in support of our mission. You’ll hear from survivor who has directly benefitted from VAWA funding. Learn more at: https://safeharborsc.org/fashionwithapassion/
Volunteering:
Learn more about ways that you can volunteer with Safe Harbor at https://safeharborsc.org/volunteer/
Donating:
Follow Valerie’s example by giving back! Safe Harbor can use everything from baby wipes to beds. Learn more about needed items and how you can donate at https://safeharborsc.org/donations/
Giving:
All of Safe Harbor’s services are free to charge for victims and their children, and 89.8 cents of every dollar you give goes directly to our prevention and intervention services to break the cycle of domestic violence in the Upstate of SC. Give today at https://safeharborsc.org/donate-now/
