I’m not kidding.
This afternoon I got to listen-in on a call with Senator Biden and 500 advocates, workers, victims and activists fighting domestic violence against women.
Biden helped those listening celebrate a milestone for the National Domestic Violence Hotline and it’s 2 millionth call.
Biden said, “2 million have worked up the courage and the conviction to be able to come to a phone, most of the time hiding and praying to god and hoping no one hears them…they were able to call a federally funded number and they know someone will actually answer it.”
Amanda Scott from Women for Obama writes, “Approximately 1,400 women a year – four every day – die in the United States as a result of domestic violence. And 132,000 women report that they have been victims of a rape or attempted rape, and it is estimated that an even greater number have been raped, but do not report it.Biden wrote and passed the landmark Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) which is the strongest legislation to date that criminalizes domestic violence and other forms of violence against women, provides victims with the support they deserve, and holds batterers accountable.”
Now I had known all of this about Senator Biden. I had known about him writing the Violence Against Women Act, I knew he had championed the legislation…what I wasn’t prepared for was hearing him speak about women and violence like I am used to my friends speaking about women and violence. Hearing him speak like a man passionate about protecting women, empowering women.
He told me about how violence against women is society’s dirtiest and ugliest secret. He told me about wishing everyone in America could sit in the call center for just a half an hour to hear what he’s heard. He told me about how women initially blame themselves for the horrible acts committed against them He told me about how violence against women is a cultural issue, with people thinking it’s a “private” or family matter and how WRONG that is.
Senator Joe Biden went on and on and on and on, barely taking breaths in between his words to talk about what he’s seen and why he’s fighting for women. Then he said if he and Senator Obama had the honor to be elected,
“I promise you, I PROMISE YOU, you will have the strongest allies you’ve ever, EVER had.”
And I was floored.
Biden then went on to announce Obama-Biden plans for a special advisor, in their administration, IN the White House, who would report directly and regularly on violence against women, because he understands this needs sustained high level leadership on the issue. He also discussed plans for their administration to take their ideas global, and reward countries for stopping violence against women.
Today the campaign released this new video, so you can see exactly what Biden is talking about:
For more information on the National Domestic Violence Hotline, you can visit www.ndvh.org. Hotline advocates are available for victims and anyone calling on their behalf to provide crisis intervention, safety planning, information and referrals to agencies in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you or someone you know is frightened about something in your relationship, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or TTY 1-800-787-3224.
CrossPosted at BlogHer.
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Violence against women isn’t just a dirty secret in the US either, they could have a huge worldwide impact on the issue by taking a strong stand against it here. Yeah for them caring that much, every man should, we all should.
yes, Biden talking about the international plans they had was news to me and thrilling. taking a stand world wide!
posted this video on my facebook page. I hope it encourages someone out there. thanks for posting this.
Great post! I’ll be sharing this with friends.
I’ve retweeted this on Twitter. Thank you for posting (and then tweeting) this. Such a powerful message.
Wow, that’s fantastic!
I think it great that Biden takes such an “unmaly” position and I am sure this is not just to catch voters. Domestick violence is just outright wrong and there is NO excuse for it. And as much as you can work with women the problem stems from the men.
FYI: We started our own initiative in a country where 33% of young men consider gang rape a “fun activity”. That is South Africa. But we hope to bring some of the programs back home at a later time. http://southafricaproject.org has more info.
We need more guys speaking out against violence.
Thanks for sharing this.
I hope he can pull it off, I truly do. I know in our area (my husband is chief of police) domestic violence is one the TOP of the list for crimes (right behind drugs). It’s sad.
In a word, awesome.
wow. great post. thank-you
Wow, I knew I loved him, I just didn’t know how much. Thanks so much for posting this! How amazing it will be to have such strong advocates for women in the White House again. IIRC, Bush closed down the women’s outreach and African American affairs offices very early in his term.
After having worked in homeless shelters and supportive housing for women who are chronically homeless, mentally ill, I can tell you that violence against women is still one of the biggest ills of our country. To hear a man speak so passionately about ending violence against women strengthens me. Thank you for posting this.
One thing that needs to happen is that health care professionals, especially physicians, need to learn in medical school how to identify DV victims, how to talk to DV victims, and how to treat DV victims. Two hours of instruction on this issue is not gonna cut it. The prevalence of DV should drive the amount of time health care professionals spend learning about intervention and treatment.
I don’t get how anyone could vote against such legslation. I’d love to hear McCain’s reason for why he didn’t approve.
There’s absolutely no excuse for abuse, NONE. Biden’s role in this legislation is news to me. Resulting to violence is never the answer. Thanks for sharing.
I have to say, I think Biden – though a dude – really IS part of Team Gal. He’s done so much to help protect women, and his commitment to such an issue shows the authenticity of his moral compass Thanks for writing this post and showing that tough men can be feminists, too 🙂
Also, the campaign nerd in me would be remiss if I didn’t mention that I LOVE the video email I got the other day of his wife, Jill, phonebanking.
What a great post–will be sharing it all over the place. It’s amazing and incredible to be actually looking at an election that may truly help people…