Our Domestic Violence program takes the following into consideration: Individuals we work with should gain direct knowledge about what constitutes DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, to include physical, sexual, emotional, psychological abuse
Victims, especially females, are the center of our education process about how and why to report aggression or abuse. A) Most women in African refugees community do not report abuse for the following reasons: That they do not want to be responsible for their boyfriends or husbands going to jail; That they do not want to be seen as ungrateful to the men; That some do not think battering or abuse is negative because they believe the boyfriend or husband loves them that is why they beat them; That they think the police are looking to destroy the records of the men and therefore reporting domestic violence is an easy way to make the police achieve their plans, etc. Our education drive is intended to set the record straight that all of those perceptions are myths.
We work with male members of our community to understand that beating on or battering their partners does not show love for them, rather it indicates cruelty toward the one you claim to love. Our education process will focus on re-orientating women that THEY DO NOT HAVE TO LIVE WITH ABUSE. THEY CAN REPORT IT!
This program will go a long way to benefit members of our community who have been victimized by abusive and violent men who seek to control these women for selfish ends. Those who participate in our education programs, like workshop, symposiums, etc., will learn how and why to report aggression or abuse, not just to defend themselves, but it is also to save the next woman from the same abuse pattern.
Our target is not just the women. It would also focus on the men. We will educate the men that 1) there is difference living in Africa and living in the US, and 2) battering their partner is simply wicked, uncalled for, and does not exemplify love for the partner.