Required before any other College Brides Walk activity--orientation option 1

Romar Reid wrote on April 26th, 2022

Thank you very much for posting the zoom recording. During the meeting quite a few facts stood out to me:
* 14,000 people die every year from domestic violence cases.
* Females age 16-24 are the most at risk.
* There are high rates of domestic violence towards immigrant women.
* Domestic violence is the main cause of women homelessness in the United States.
* Women ages 15-49 are more likely to die from domestic violence than they are from cancer or malaria.
* Around 17% of pregnant women are victims of domestic violence.
* Domestic violence is starts out with small or subtle behavior and is always patterned behavior.
* Women are often barred from leaving these relationships due to fear, finances, children, love or religion.
This topic is very dear to my heart as I have family members who have been victims of domestic violence. Thank you so much for sharing this information.

Dena Tawfik wrote on February 8th, 2022

Thank you so much for taking the time to explain The College Brides Walk and its history. The college Brides Wal came about because Gladys Ricart was murdered by an abusive ex just minutes after she was literally in her wedding dress. The definition of domestic violence means ANY type of assault or any type of criminal offense resulting in death or injuries. I found the story about dating violence to be very intriguing, Emily went through hoops to get away from this person but he literally antagonized her and her new partner to death, and it is unfortunate because it takes tragic events like this for the law to act. Another statistic that caught my eye was that it could be ANYONE, Dr. Finley discussed how women between the ages 16-24 and immigrant women.Lastly, College Brides Walk is designed to create a platform for young minds to discuss solutions, have a healthy outlet for self-expression, and continue the conversation about domestic and dating violence. This walk marathon is a representation of the strong women that are going through it or have gone through it and made it out the side. Thank you so much for sharing all this helpful information.

Christina Dorsainville wrote on February 8th, 2022

Greetings!
• Thank you so much for posting the zoom recording Orientation event. Unfortunately, I was not able to attend because the link was not working on my end. After watching the video, I got a good understanding of the importance of preventing dating and domestic violence. "Domestic violence" means any assault, aggravated assault, battery, aggravated battery, sexual assault, sexual battery, stalking, aggravated stalking, kidnapping, false imprisonment, or any criminal offense resulting in physical injury or death of one family or household member by another family or household member. Those who have a child in common are also covered.
• “Dating violence” means violence between individuals who have or have had a continuing and committed relationship of a romantic or intimate nature. The existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on the consideration of the following factors: one. A dating relationship must have existed within the past 6 months; The nature of the relationship must have been characterized by the expectation of affection or sexual involvement between the parties; and the frequency and type of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship must have included that the persons have been involved over time and on a continuous basis during the relationship. "Battering is a pattern of behavior used to establish power and control over another person with whom an intimate relationship is or has been shared through fear and intimidation, often including the threat or use of violence. Battering happens when one person believes that they are entitled to control another.” Amnesty International: 33% of women globally will be victims in their lifetime. U.S: Estimated 25% to 33% of women in U.S. are or will be victims in their lifetime. Emphasized the importance of prevention of abuse and to also report abusive behavior in relationships and anywhere and that is happening to anyone. Barry University College Brides Walk held a yearly event to support victims of dating and domestic violence.
• The resources are very much valuable to learn and have a good sense of understanding of what is going on when it comes to abuse and domestic violence around us.
• “Domestic and dating violence most often takes place behind closed doors,” said Dr. Laura Finley, and “We see increased rates of violence when people are at home in situations that are unsafe, and many shelters that would be a refuge for victims are forced by the pandemic to reduce services. It’s a toxic combination.”
● Women aged 16-24 are at higher risk, though men can be victims also, but they tend to not get help and brush it off due to their stereotypical masculinity. Forty percent of women who are victims are immigrant women.
● Domestic violence can be a significant risk factor and trauma for children who are exposed to it. Subtle forms/ tactics of domestic violence can include control over a person’s life, phone, who she talks to, what she wears, and where she goes.
● Some victims would make excuses for the abuser and tell themselves that he wants them to look good. Abusers often target easily to hide regions on the victim’s body. Not all men abuse, and oftentimes abusers are repeat offenders. Abusive behavior is learned behavior which can start from a person being idolized to the point where he believes he can control whomever. Some also repeat what they watched happen in their home growing up and think the abuse is okay. Abuse can cause delays in walking and talking, regular nightmares, trauma, and developmental delays in children. They can also have trouble doing well in school and acting out.
• College Brides Walk is designed to create a platform for young minds to discuss solutions, have a healthy outlet for self-expression, and continue the conversation about domestic and dating violence.
• “Statistics show college students are overrepresented as victims of domestic violence,” Dr. Finley said. The walk is a reminder that we all matter. We should be loved, respected, and always understood and treated equally. No, means no. Let us stop Domestic Abuse and dating violence because together we are stronger.
Thank you so much for sharing and continuing the magnificent work about abuse and domestic violence.

Mashal Dhanani wrote on February 7th, 2022

Good afternoon!
Thank you for posting the recording of the zoom meeting, even though I did not attend live I still felt as if I learned a lot from the PowerPoint. I also quite appreciate the different statistics that you displayed and discussed, as you mentioned displaying different statistics can help drive the point to different people. One statistic that shocked me was that more women are killed from men’s violence than cancer, malaria, war, and traffic accidents combined. I have also personally never heard of the bride walk or the college bride walk and learning more about the history and its impact really opened my eyes. I think that domestic violence is such an important topic to bring awareness to and advocate for. Again, the presentation/orientation was a great introduction to the college bride walk and was still packed with information and resources.

Brianna Torres wrote on February 4th, 2022

Thank you for posting the recording of the zoom meeting, I learned a lot of new information.
• 14,000 victims are killed every year
• The law against Dating Violence
• The fact that 23% to 33% of women are or will be victims in their lifetime is an actual statistic.
• There are shelters to help victims and it called National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV)
• More women from men’s violence than cancer, malaria, war, and traffic accident
• Detail of the different forms of Abuse
• How victims find it difficult to leave their abuser.
• How much it affects children that are exposed to abuse.
• The different types of resources for more information and where someone can get help

Kimberly Davis-Smith wrote on February 4th, 2022

Greetings! Thank you for sharing this informative Zoom recording. I remember hearing about Gladys' murder in 99 and how the media distorted her case to the public. I appreciate how you thoroughly explained domestic violence and the Florida statues. The statistics on women abuse victims in shelters, globally and in the US were a astonishing. Thank you for the valuable resources that you included in the presentation. It was interesting to hear about the statistics of women who abuse men and how it goes unreported to the authorities. This presentation was packed with so much information and insight regarding domestic violence and abuse. Thank you again Dr. Finley!

Crystal Carbonell wrote on February 4th, 2022

Hey guys! I really enjoyed the Zoom recording, thank you for posting! restraining order -> fell in love & wanted to marry a new man
-14,000 people in us die every year from DV cases
- Media reinforced misconceptions about Glady's case
- First Brides March from New Jersey to Miami = “spectacle”
- College Brides Walk created in 2011
- FL Domestic Violence Statue = What crimes + who can be a victim
- Abuse isn’t always physical, but law can only get involved if it’s on the list of things in the statue
- Dating violence: covers relationships that are 6+ months & that have expectations of monogamy & sexual intimacy (Enacted after 2 college kids died at the hands of her ex boyfriend)
- Battering: patterns of behavior to establish control over another person, often including threats or use of violence
- Abuse starts small & subtle
- 33% of worlds women will be victims in their lifetime
- Globally, more women ages 15-49 die from men's violence than from cancer, malaria, war & traffic accidents COMBINED
- About 40% of all violent crimes in Florida are DV related, and 20% of all murders are DV related
- Domestic violence is #1 cause of mass (and often school) shootings in U.S, about 54%
- Dark figure of crime: crime we know happens but isn’t reported (some reasons: undocumented, scared of police, doing something illegal themselves,etc.)
- Covid effects made issues worst (stay at home orders, more time on peoples hand, shelters take fewer people because of social distancing, etc.)
- Women ages 16 to 14 are at greatest risk
- 15 to 25% of victims are male
- Similar rates among same sex couples
- High rates among immigrant women
- Risk factors: homelessness, physical disabilities or mental illness, substance abuse, homelessness, etc.
- #1 cause of women’s homelessness in U.S
- 17% of pregnant women are victimized each year (4x more likely when pregnancy is unintended)
- Abuse tactics: Isolation, intimidation, blaming, male privilege, economic abuse, using children, denying, coercion, etc. (victims can convince themselves it’s a good thing)
- Controlling in early stages can mean access to phone, clothing restrictions, following you around, etc.
- Abusers usually start physical abuse in places that people can't see, like the head & swimsuit area (abdomen)
- 1 in 2 female murder victims are killed by their male partners
- Signs of lethality: weapons in home, abuser is unemployed, children in home from previous relationship, abuser uses drugs/alcohol, pet abuse, etc.
- Why do they batter?: NOT due to substance abuse, NOT due to mental illness, NOT due to anger, it’s learned behavior & a method to obtain and maintain power
- Batterers are often in positions where they’re idolized and encouraged to be violent/ aggressive + research for head injuries
- 40% more abuse in police families
- Kids who grow up in abusive homes are at 2-3x greater risk to get involved in abusive relationships
- No genetic link to why abusers abuse
- Doctors in FL are required to have DV training
- Barriers to leaving: Fear, children, finances, lack of support, religion, belief that abuser will change, believe that it is his/her fault, love for the partner, etc.
- The average female victim leaves her abuser seven times before she leaves for good
- Impact of abuse: more likely to receive public benefits, workplace safety, homelessness, suicide, school trouble, substance abuse, etc.
- Effects on children: development delays or regression, eating problems or chronic stomach pains, sleep problems, delinquency, anger, fear of adults, problems at school, etc.

Thank you again Dr.Finley, I learned so much & I'm looking forward to the briefing!