DV/SA Awareness

Blog # 1.
For about as long as I can remember I’ve been “that person” who isn’t afraid to talk about all the controversial topics, particularly the ones I’m extremely passionate about, i.e. Gay Marriage (pro), Abortion (pro), Stem Cell Research (pro), Capital Punishment (con) and Euthanasia (pro); all of which I have extremely strong opinions and arguments about. For Gay Marriage/Rights in particular I have spent a significant amount of time fighting for over the past six years and it has been a topic I’ve poured my heart and soul into. I’ve been heavily involved in the LGBTQIA community and have obtained an over-abundant amount of information from the work I’ve done. Unfortunately, these topics have been deemed, “off-limits,” …in the end, that’s probably for the better.

Blog # 2

The topic I have chosen is on Domestic Violence (DV) and Sexual Assault (SA) awareness and funding. Having recently completed my certification for DV/SA advocacy, I feel knowledgeable on the topic and it’s something I’ve felt passionate about since my first exposure to the issue. There is a lot that needs to be done to take meaningful steps to end domestic violence and sexual assault. “We need tough law enforcement, aggressive prosecutions, effective prevention programs and available shelters for families in distress. Most importantly, we need to insure that more people know and understand that domestic violence is not a private matter. It is a critical national problem that affects us all -- in every community, in every work place and in every school.” (http://www.da.usda.gov/shmd/aware.htm). In doing my research for this paper I hope to learn more about why we aren’t receiving the funding we need and how to change it.

-Brandi Cooper