On 8 December, the Zonta Club of Medford, MA, USA is offering an introductory  “Rape Aggression Defense” (RAD) class for women in the local community as part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence.

Zonta Club of Medford member, Julie Kaufman, took a RAD course to become certified, and, in turn is offering this class to women in her local community to empower them through education.

The class will teach components of the RAD Systems (no physical exercises) based on risk strategies for personal safety including: risk avoidance, risk reduction, risk awareness and risk recognition. The RAD Systems objective is to develop and enhance the options of self-defense, so they may become viable considerations to the woman attacked. They challenge society to evolve into an existence where violence is not acceptable in daily life.

To view the invitation, Click here.

Zonta Club of Cleveland participated in the Zonta Says No campaign to end violence against women with a community forum on October 9, 2013. Judge Ronald Adrine of the Cleveland Municipal Court and Sondra Miller, the President and CEO of the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center were the keynote speakers.

Judge Adrine has been a long time advocate for the prevention of domestic violence. He is the administrative and presiding judge of the Cleveland Municipal Court. Judge Adrine co-authored the Ohio Domestic Violence Law and is the Co-Chairman of the Advisory Board of the National Judicial Institute on Domestic Violence.

Since 1974, The Cleveland Rape Crisis Center has been dedicated to providing comprehensive 24-hour services to survivors of sexual violence and sex trafficking. Onsite counseling and advocacy services address the healing needs of children, teens and adults. Hospital and legal advocates provide community based services in crisis services to assist survivors in each stage of recovery.

CEO Sondra Miller addressed both the incidences of rape in the community and that of family violence. She recalled a case of an 86 survivor who indicated child sexual abuse beginning at age 5 years. She cited a study in which it is estimated that 1-in-4 women may have experienced some form of violence in their lives. While rape is not predicated upon family violence, as it is a crime of power and domination, Ms. Miller reported some survivors who also share life stories of abuse by family or partners. She cited the return to abuser rate of eight times prior to leaving permanently or through fatalities.

Judge Adrine advocates for laws to protect the individual from violence. He reported statutes that prior to 1978 allowed men to beat women as long as the stick was not thicker than a thumb. Legal advocacy through the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, Women Together battered Women Shelter, women’s organizations, medical personnel, judges and attorneys advocated for legislative changes resulting in the change in laws that Judge Adrine has been a part of crafting. Judge Adrine is developing the Family Justice Center in Cleveland, Ohio. He requested a study on access to services for a survivor of violence. The results revealed an average of 20 appointments in various locations were necessary for the individual to start the recovery process. The Family Justice Center will provide each needed service in one location. The attendees enjoyed the presentation and raised questions during the dialogue period of the program.

The Zonta Club of Converse County in Douglas, WY, USA shared this photo of the Converse County Sheriff’s Department showing their support for the Zonta Says NO Campaign. “Real men don’t hurt women!”

“Human Trafficking in Michigan”

On 19 November, the local chapters of the American Association of University Women, the League of Women Voters and the Zonta Club of Midland are hosting a session on “Human Trafficking in Michigan” at Northwood University in Midland, MI, USA.  Michigan State Senator Judy Emmons will speak at this public forum about this huge global criminal enterprise and the landmark 19-bill package recently announced in Michigan to combat this crime and support victims.  Members will display a Zonta Says NO banner, and will wear the Zonta Says NO orange.   

Benefit to help survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault at local shelter

On 22 November, members of the Zonta Club of Midland will be attending “Lunafest” hosted by Midland Center for the Arts and benefiting Sheltherhouse, a local non-profit organization committed to providing safety, shelter, advocacy and counseling to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Members will be wearing orange and Zonta Says NO wristbands.

33^rd Annual “Homewalk”

On 7 and 8 December, the Zonta Club of Midland will be hosting their 33rd annual “Homewalk”, the clubs largest fundraiser.  Close to 1,000 members of the community participate in this two day walk to view homes decorated for the holidays.  A number of local companies and individuals are also financial sponsors of the event. Proceeds benefit the Zonta Club of Midland scholarship fund, local service projects and the Zonta International Foundation. Members will wear the Zonta Says NO wristbands.

(Left to right): Gail Heimburger, Ellen Spaeth (District 5 Lt. Gov.), Glenda Carota (District 5 Service Committee Chair), Terri Purtee-Stein (Zonta Club of Cincinnati President), Connie Kingsbury (Zonta Club of Cincinnati President-Elect), Verna Tuttle (Director), and Marilyn Herrmann.

The members of the Zonta Club of Cincinnati, OH, USA participated in a joint candlelight vigil for victims of domestic violence on 1 October at the Hamilton County Courthouse in Cincinnati. The vigil honored and remembered women killed by their intimate partners and provided hope to survivors exposed to violence and loss.

Zonta Club of Cincinnati President Terri Purtee-Stein was in attendance and said the event was emotional for her and the members.

“It was a very emotional event, especially when a father talked about the death of his two-year old daughter at the hands of her mother (his ex-wife) and her boyfriend who had shaken her to death.”

Wooden silhouettes of women with their names, dates of their death, and circumstances of their deaths – several of whom were pregnant at the time of their death and were depicted as such in the silhouette – were displayed. There were also wreaths with ribbons for each woman who died, as well as flags strung among the trees. Ninety women who died at the hands of their domestic partner in the past year in the greater Cincinnati area were represented.

On October 16, 2013 the clubs of District 8 all participated in a campaign to provide personal care kits and household items to a women’s shelter in their local community.

In an effort to speak out against violence against women, Zontians in District 8 created a splash with the campaign slogan “Zonta Says No” and educated their communities about Zonta’s efforts.

Because the press releases indicated that it was a district-wide action, the media was interested and several clubs received local coverage. Many Zontians commented on how they felt it brought them together with their fellow Zontians by doing a common action on the same day.

The District 17 Board is implementing a new District Service Project focused on an educational strategy for young people to be aware of the need of gender equality and non-violence in personal relationships.

They are now encouraging all Zonta Clubs in District 17 to organize at least one seminar on Violence Against Women, targeting either at high school and university students or social workers/service organizations who may be involved in counseling victims of violence.

The D17 team has prepared the following material which can be downloaded by Clubs on the D17 website for possible usage at club seminars. (www.zontad17.org under Service Committee) – A Powerpoint summarizing the VAW laws in the Philippines – A Resource Directory for Philippines, including details of contacts where victims can seek help. – A supply of VAW banners with D17 identity has been specially made and stored with the Area Directors. Clubs can borrow these banners for usage at their seminars. – Domestic Violence – An Overview of the Domestic & Cohabitation Relationships Violence Ordinance Bill in Hong Kong.

The project will be implemented in stages, and information on other countries in D17 is being compiled. We hope that the summary  of VAW laws in the region will enhance awareness of women’s rights in our territories.

With a Resource Directory in Philippines, VAW victims will know where to seek help when needed.

Zonta Says No was highlighted at the Saturday night banquet during the 2013 District 12 Conference held in October. Attendees held banners created by the Zonta Club of Prowers County and the Zonta Club of Lakewood-Golden, along with pumpkins designed by the Zonta Club of Sturgis.

The Zonta Club of Kitchener-Waterloo has planned a social media campaign in support of Zonta Says No and to raise awareness about the 16 Days of Activism to End Gender-based Violence.

They have created 16 videos, one for each day, featuring sixteen Zontians from our club speaking from their hearts about different issues and stories related to violence against women and girls.

The videos will start on 25 November and link will be available from their website,  Facebook page and Twitter feed.

Visit http://www.zontakw.org/#!16-days-of-activism-to-end-vio/c9pv for more info.

After the keynote speech “ZONTA SAYS NO” to violence against women:
“Giving ourselves the permission ”,  members went out into the park surrounding the
conference venue and tied orange ribbons to the trees.

What a great boost to the campaign’s visibility!