To end domestic violence in California and beyond, we must
address the issues which contribute to violence. Structural
barriers – such as lack of access to affordable and safe housing,
economic security, and legal protections – are factors that cause
violence and make it harder for survivors to find safety and
healing. The Partnership works with our members and partners to
break down those barriers, and in doing so, create solutions to
domestic violence. We do this by developing survivor-centered
legislation and learning opportunities and convening our
statewide network to strengthen domestic violence services in
California. Here are the key areas where we work to create
solutions to domestic violence:
Housing
Homelessness, housing insecurity, and domestic violence are
fundamentally linked; neither can be solved without addressing
the other. Domestic violence is a leading driver in homelessness
for women, making housing a critical resource to ensure a
survivor’s safety: Nationally,
57% of unhoused women reported domestic violence was an
immediate cause of their homelessness. In California, 22% of unhoused
individuals reported experiencing domestic violence,
according to the state’s Homeless Data Integration System (HDIS)
demographic data. Survivors and all Californians deserve safe,
affordable and accessible housing that is free from violence. We
can achieve this when housing authorities and institutions
prioritize survivor needs and share decision-making power with
domestic violence service providers.
In the service of this goal, we lead the HOME cohort, a collaborative workgroup
focused on improving how our housing and homelessness systems
respond to the needs of survivors. We lead efforts to build
multi-disciplinary collaborations and increase the domestic
violence field’s knowledge, tools, and resources to secure
housing for survivors. Additionally, the Partnership is urging
California legislators to make up for declining federal Victims
of Crime Act funds in the State Budget. Our goal is to preserve
the domestic violence field’s vital emergency and long-term
housing options for survivors.
Prevention
Domestic violence is a preventable public health crisis in
California that harms millions. We envision a state where people
have the resources they need to build safe, healthy, and
supportive communities and where young people have access to
healthy relationship education. By teaching future generations
healthy relationship skills and how to recognize the signs of
toxic and abusive behavior, we can prevent violence before it can
occur. Education that prevents teen dating violence, especially
for vulnerable youth, is crucial now more than ever. The
California Healthy Kids Survey surveyed 9,371 California students
and found that
42.4% of those who identified as LGBTQ experienced dating
violence victimization within their lifetimes.
The Partnership supports our members who work to shift norms in
their communities. We provide training and one-on-one assistance
in the development of effective strategies like healthy
relationship education among youth and adults, as well as
supporting community-level changes that protect against violence
and abuse. The Partnership has been instrumental in establishing
funding for this work across the state.
Economic Justice
One study of women in abusive relationships revealed that
financial abuse affected 99% of participants. This can include
stealing money, credit, property, or identity from a partner.
Access to financial stability and freedom can give those
experiencing domestic violence the resources they need to escape
a violent situation and even prevent violence from occurring in
the first place.
The Partnership recognizes economic insecurity as a root cause of
domestic violence. We are working to strengthen California’s
social safety net programs and increase access to and awareness
of California’s Paid Family Leave Program, so that more families
can be financially stable while caring for a seriously ill family
member or bonding with a new child. This supports families
through life’s most stressful moments, reducing the risk of abuse
and supporting overall family well-being. We call on legislators
to support policies that create financial relief, stability, and
wellness for survivors and all Californians.
Reducing Gun Violence
The presence of firearms in dangerous or abusive situations can
increase the likelihood of severe injury or fatality. In fact, a
woman is five
times more likely to be killed if the intimate partner
causing her harm has access to a firearm. Firearms pose a high
risk of lethality for people experiencing domestic violence and
their communities: one study found that nearly one
third of mass shooters had a history of domestic
violence.
California is a leader in keeping families safe from gun violence
in abusive situations. To strengthen our state’s leadership,
courts and law enforcement must act more quickly to remove
firearms when domestic violence occurs. It is imperative that all
Californians, especially those experiencing domestic violence,
have access to both legal and non-legal measures that can keep
them safe. This includes community-based intervention programs,
the range of legal remedies currently available, and the
protections provided under both civil and criminal laws. These
are designed to reduce the likelihood that someone who has become
prohibited from having firearms will be able to keep or obtain
them. Alongside our members and partners, the Partnership created
EndingGV.org, a toolkit
designed to support survivors in their safety and healing,
prevent gun violence and provide vital resources to domestic
violence service providers.
