by Martina Romero

Guidance for approved self-petitioners under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), was created to help victims of domestic abuse to remain in the United States and seek adjustment of status. The victims of Domestic can be male or female, will benefit under VAWA if the abuser is or was a U.S. Citizen or LPR spouse or parent. VAWA allows applicants to self petition for immigrant benefits even if the marriage ended in divorce, as long as VAWA self- petitioners demonstrate:

• Connection between the divorce and domestic violence
• Files the petition within the statutory limit of two years from the termination of the alleged marriage

Read more: Immigration & the Violence Against Women Act

By Lisa Paliotti

Stereotypes that exploit women are perpetuated in society by people and the media. The Bad Girls Club, a show in its seventh season on Oxygen network, creates this false image that women are sluts and are catty towards other women. Yelling, name-calling, hair pulling, acrylic nails clawing, fake hair and makeup flying are thing to be expected in an average episode, all wrapped into a neat 60 minute package every Monday at 9 p.m.

On the show, seven women in their 20’s from different backgrounds are chosen to live in a house and let their “bad girl” ways flow freely for three months. Verbal and physical abuse, racism, and molestation between the roommates flood the television screen the entire time this show is on. When did violence become entertainment? And what causes these women to behave so badly on live television?

Read more: Reality TV is Hurting Women, Literally

By Angela Marandola

Admittedly, I can be a little tedious at parties. I love my work in advocacy and I love to talk to you, albeit rather quickly, about issues relating to my work. Sitting in the corner of the Christmas party discussing healthy relationships, sexual assault prevention in the military, and Sean Penn and Madonna circa 1986 are among my favorite past times. Think you can move out of your apartment without receiving a mini DV 101 in the street? Think again. Try to watch a football game this month without me commenting how the players should wear purple too.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which provides me with a safety net to discuss these topics with you. In the context of DVAM I can speak more freely about why domestic violence awareness is so important without sounding preachy or “weird.”

Read more: True Blue

by Kenneth Bryant Jr.

When was the last time your pastor… or rabbi… or priest… or imam… stood up and said, “It’s time we talked about domestic violence”? I’ll give you a moment to reflect on that question...

*queue Jeopardy theme-music*

Was that enough time? If you can’t remember, you aren’t at all alone. We know domestic violence is happening among church parishioners, and folks who attend synagogues and mosques. The silence is deafening. We know it’s seen in our homes too, and the ripple effects in our communities of faith are devastating.

Read more: Break the Silence in our Faith Communities