Domestic Violence as a Barrier to Self Sufficiency

At Crittenton Women’s Union, we offer programs that assist and educate women to achieve self-sufficiency for themselves, and for their families. But we most often think of that mission in economic terms: What skills does this woman need?  What kind of job is she training for?  How much money will she eventually earn?

For women who are victims of domestic violence, the batterer in their lives represents a tangible barrier to any efforts that she makes to achieve self sufficiency. Studies frequently show that the abuser interferes with a women’s ability to go to work, receive training or attend school. For example, a woman may report that on the night before an exam, her partner harassed her and kept her awake so that she could not study and was too tired to take the test the next day. Manipulations like this, in addition to actual physical violence, are another tool in the abuser arsenal to keep a woman economically bound to the relationship, no matter how negative the situation. 

In response to this type of situation, CWU maintains two transitional housing programs for battered women and their children, providing them with a safe alternative to remaining in a violent situation.  While living in one of these programs, women are also given the opportunity to involve themselves in education and workforce development initiatives offered by both CWU and our other partner agencies. In this way she can start to heal from her experience and also move towards self-sufficiency economically and emotionally without interference.

Domestic violence programs at CWU are part of a statewide network of 45+ programs that provide emergency and transitional shelter, hotlines, emergency relocation, and counseling for individuals and in groups. Funding for these critical domestic violence programs in Massachusetts has never been sufficient to meet the needs of victims.  In a recent Boston Herald article conditions are described as reaching a crisis level and funding not sufficient to meet basic needs.
 
Like its sister programs, transitional housing for domestic violence survivors at CWU has had a tenuous funding history and 50% of the annual funding must be privately raised through private donations and foundation grants. In February 2007, CWU applied for a federal grant from the Department of Justice to support its domestic violence program and we have just been notified that CWU will be the recipient of this new funding source from the Department of Justice.  DOJ is responsible for distributing funds under the Violence Against Women Act and this particular grant opportunity focuses on supporting transitional housing for battered women, as well as providing a variety of support services for this target group. The grant period will begin provides a total of $255,000 over three years, supporting approximately 20% of the program budget each year. 

This new addition to the funding pool will significantly assist CWU in continuing to provide critical services to battered women and their families, as well as meeting the financial needs of all its programs. CWU is extremely fortunate to be the recipient of this national award. However, funding at all government levels continues to be short for domestic violence efforts.  While our state budget for domestic violence services in Massachusetts has increased  by 33% in the past five years,  only 60% of that budget goes for those direct services that support hotlines, shelters, and counseling services.

Across the state hundreds of requests for safe housing are declined for lack of space in programs like the one operated by CWU.  The recent death of Elizabeth Cann, together with  the shooting of her two children makes headlines. Behind those headlines however, women that we never hear about, are threatened and beaten, deprived of their right to grow and achieve. To ensure these right to every woman, each of us needs to support more funding to help victims of domestic violence, whether it be with a your own donation or by advocating for more support with your legislator.   

Jane Titus
Contracts Officer
Crittenton Women's Union