Welcome to our first ICADV blog post!

I am very excited about the direction we are taking with our new website and the abilities we will have to better engage with our membership and the public at large.

ICADV has been actively working toward the elimination of domestic violence for over 40 years. In that time we have seen many changes, especially the recognition of domestic violence as a social issue that damages our communities. However, we still have far to go.

Anti-domestic violence advocates observe the month of October each year to honor those that have died because of domestic violence and to highlight various programs that are seeking to assist survivors and hold those that abuse family members accountable. But we really work every day all year to help everyone understand that most of domestic violence is emotional, psychological and financial control. Physical violence is used to reinforce these other forms of coercive control.

There is still so much to be done to begin to see a real reduction in domestic violence in our state and in our country. ICADV is engaged in getting more men involved so that domestic violence is no longer seen as “just a woman’s issue.” We are interested in working with people who are focused on other forms of community violence and justice reform in order to have court systems that actually hold those who cause harm accountable while offering alternative models of healthy relationships.

We welcome all who are interested to contact us about how you can get involved. We would also love to hear what you think of our new site.

In Peace,
Vickie Smith, CEO/Executive Director