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Guiding Principles of Unity
As members of a united California Partnership to End
Domestic Violence, we affirm these Principles of Unity to guide our
work individually and collectively:
UNITY
We are unified in the belief that victims/survivors and allies working
together have a greater impact in creating lasting social change to
realize the vision of a California free from domestic violence.
We understand our vision requires urgent action conducted in a spirit of determination, hope, cooperation and solidarity.
SAFE and HEALTHY LIVES
We recognize domestic violence is a serious threat to the well-being of
all women, children and men, and hold steadfast to the belief that safe
homes and safe families are the foundation of a safe society.
We affirm the rights of all persons to live without fear of abuse,
oppression or the threat of violence, and believe every individual
deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
We recognize domestic violence as a range of behaviors used to exert
control or establish power by one intimate partner over the other. The
range of behavior can include psychological, emotional, verbal, sexual,
financial, spiritual, and physical abuse, as well as stalking and
threatening behaviors.
We acknowledge that abuse and violence are learned behaviors and as
such, can be unlearned. We will actively engage in primary prevention
strategies, change social norms which support battering, and advance
the community's responsibility for preventing domestic violence to
prevent abuse from being learned.
We understand domestic violence to be a multi-layered problem requiring a coordinated community response.
VICTIMS / SURVIVORS
We acknowledge that historically and statistically, domestic violence
primarily involves male perpetrators and female victims/survivors.
However, we seek to advocate for all victims/survivors including men,
and individuals from oppressed ethnic communities, individuals with
disabilities, individuals in same-gender relationships, and especially,
youth and children who are also victims/survivors of violence.
We support the strength and healing of victims/survivors and advocate
for systems change which requires challenging institutional systems
that continue to create barriers for victims/survivors.
BATTERER ACCOUNTABILITY
We believe that batterers are responsible for their abusive behavior
and should be held accountable for their actions by the legal and
judicial systems, media, friends, family, co-workers and communities.
SELF-DETERMINATION and EMPOWERMENT
We seek to validate victims/survivors by encouraging them to define
their experiences and acknowledging that they are the experts in their
own lives. Therefore, we seek to provide information and resources so
victims/survivors can consider options and make empowered life choices.
We advocate for all battered persons while respecting
victims's/survivors' rights to self-determination and control over
their own lives.
CULTURAL COMPETENCY
We understand cultural competency is both an individual and
institutional practice which is characterized by the acceptance of and
respect for difference. We acknowledge that "culture" refers to shared
experiences or commonalities that develop and evolve in dynamic social
and political contexts. We understand that cultures are complex and
contradictory in nature with widespread acceptance of domestic violence
and traditions of resistance coexisting and creating tension.
We advocate for the availability and accessibility of high quality,
culturally competent and linguistically-appropriate services.
We support adherence to CPEDV's extended cultural diversity declaration.
PUBLIC AWARENESS
We are committed to raising public awareness about domestic violence by
educating policymakers, media, individuals, and communities on
effective and comprehensive intervention and prevention strategies.
We are committed to ensure that responses to domestic violence reflect the realities of victims'/survivors' experiences.
SOCIAL CHANGE
We recognize that the status of women and children has advanced, yet
progress has been uneven, and serious inequalities and obstacles
continue to hinder the ability to obtain justice for survivors of
domestic violence. Therefore, we assert domestic violence is a human
rights and social justice issue that requires fundamental social
change.
We believe that, in order to end domestic violence, we must eliminate
all forms of oppression and advocate for social reform. We will work to
ensure that institutional forms of oppression are not perpetuated in
services, distribution of resources, or policies and practices.
We seek to increase the numbers of men willing to work in partnership
with us to reach our common goal of social change, and we support their
efforts to mobilize others in ending domestic violence.
We strive to be flexible and responsive to evolving needs as social change occurs over time.
LEADERSHIP
We honor the example set by those who came before us by making an
individual and organizational commitment to help advance the leadership
of women, victims/survivors and individuals with diverse backgrounds.
We are committed to playing a leadership role in advancing policy and systems change in the movement to end domestic violence.
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