Power and Control handout FINAL - The Advocates for Human Rights

Women’s Human Rights Film Series
www.theadvocatesforhumanrights.org
“Power and Control: Domestic Violence in America”
Addressing a life and death issue during a time of urgent crisis, this film is a comprehensive exploration of physical and emotional
abuse in our society, as refracted through the story of Kim Mosher, a Duluth, MN mother of three. Her story serves as a powerful
reminder of the progress we’ve made and of the major reforms still needed in policing, medical care, advocacy, and in the
fundamental cultural and social institutions that perpetuate the cycle of domestic violence.
The post-film discussion will be led by State Representative Michael Paymar, co-founder of the Duluth Domestic Abuse Intervention
Project and Resource Specialist at the Battered Women’s Justice Project in Minneapolis, and Cheryl Thomas, Director of the
Women’s Human Rights Program at The Advocates.
Domestic Violence
Domestic violence is a violation of women’s human rights. Violence directed against women by their intimate partners is an epidemic
of global proportions that has devastating physical, emotional, financial, and social effects on women, children, families, and
communities around the world.
Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive and threatening behaviors used by an intimate partner with the intention of exerting power
and control over another. It can include physical, emotional, economic, and sexual violence, as well as intimidation, isolation, and
coercion. Domestic violence can affect anyone, regardless of race, culture, age, religion, socio-economic background, or education
level. It can occur in both opposite-sex and same-sex relationships. While some men do experience battering, women are
predominantly the victims of domestic violence. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 1 in 4 women in the
United States experiences domestic violence at some point in her life. Battering is an intentional, socially learned behavior, and is not
caused by alcohol or drug dependence. Battered women may find it difficult to leave their relationships because of fear of retribution
from the abuser, economic or emotional dependence on the abuser, or hope the abuser will change.
Domestic violence has far reaching consequences. Children who grow up in households where domestic violence is present are
more likely to suffer abuse. Witnessing battering is also a risk factor in transmitting violent behavior from one generation to the next.
Domestic violence also affects workplace productivity and has economic costs to society. Domestic violence is not a private issue,
but a social issue that violates women’s human rights.
To learn more about domestic violence, visit the Stop Violence Against Women website: http://stopvaw.org.
Minnesota Domestic Violence Resources
Battered Women’s Legal Advocacy Project (BWLAP)
http://www.bwlap.org
BWLAP is a state-wide program that serves battered women, their advocates, attorneys, and the general public in
Minnesota. BWLAP provides legal information, consultation, state-wide training, litigation support, and develops
model policy for domestic violence programs.
Domestic Abuse Intervention Programs (DAIP)
http://www.theduluthmodel.org
Domestic Abuse Intervention Programs developed the Power and Control Wheel and the Duluth Model. The
Duluth Model is a coordinated community response that works with healthcare providers, child welfare agencies,
the media, religious leaders, employers, and law and government agencies to end domestic violence.
Minnesota Center Against Violence and Abuse (MINCAVA)
http://www.mincava.umn.edu
Provides education and access to domestic violence research. The site also has a timeline of the battered women’s
movement.
Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women (MCBW)
http://www.mcbw.org
MCBW coordinates the efforts of advocates, activists, and programs that support battered women statewide,
providing technical assistance, networking support, and facilitating the development of collaborations that improve
the system-wide response to battering.

Women’s Human Rights Film Series
www.theadvocatesforhumanrights.org
Praxis International
http://www.praxisinternational.org
Praxis International Inc. is a research and training organization that works on statewide and national reforms to
bridge the gap between the needs of victims of domestic violence and what institutions provide. They also created
‘The St. Paul Blueprint for Safety’, a domestic violence intervention model that can be applied to any community.
To learn more about the Blueprint for Safety, please visit: http://praxisinternational.org/praxis_blue_print_for_safety.aspx.
National Resources on Domestic Violence
Battered Women’s Justice Project (BWJP)
http://www.bwjp.org
BWJP offers training, assistance, and consultation on criminal and civic justice system practices that address
domestic violence. BWJP has a chapter in Minnesota.
Love is Not Abuse
http://www.loveisnotabuse.com
Resources on teen dating violence for teens and parents.
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV)
http://www.ncadv.org
NCADV works to empower battered women and children, educate the public through resources and fact sheets,
and create a unified voice among different organizations in the domestic violence movement.
National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV)
http://www.nnedv.org
NNEDV supports state domestic violence coalitions and advocates for policy changes at the national level. The site
also provides information on the Stop Violence Against Women Act of 2005.
The Family Violence Prevention Fund (FVPF)
http://endabuse.org
FVPF works to end domestic violence by educating men and youth, promoting leadership within communities to
ensure that violence prevention efforts become self-sustaining, and transforming the way health care providers,
police, judges, and employers address violence.
Going Further: Other Media Resources
Defending Our Lives
http://www.cambridgedocumentaryfilms.org/defending.html
Defending Our Lives is an Oscar-winning documentary about the magnitude and severity of domestic violence in
this country. This educational video features four women imprisoned for killing their batterers and their terrifying
personal testimonies.
Journey to Safety
http://www.theadvocatesforhumanrights.org/Journey_to_Safety_Video_and_Facilitators_Guide.html
Journey to Safety is a stage performance by Pangea World Theater that presents the challenges faced by battered
immigrant and refugee women when negotiating the legal, medical, and government systems. The video, and
accompanying facilitator’s guide, are designed to be used as an educational learning tool about domestic violence.
Presented by The Advocates for Human Rights and
The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library
Co-sponsored by Metropolitan State University’s Social
Science Department and Students for Social Change