Lilian Hakimi: Domestic Violence Fundraiser

Hello there! Welcome to my MightyCause page! 

I am Lilian Hakimi, a Jewish Teen Foundation board member and I am driven by a strong passion to create sustainable change in our community for those who are suffering. 

Through JTF I learned to fundraise, interview, build connections with community members, and establish philanthropic relationships. This year, we have decided to focus on domestic violence, given that COVID-19 has exacerbated the number/severity of cases of domestic violence. Each board member is doing their own fundraiser, and by mid-April, when we finish fundraising, we will combine our funds. Then, from the group of organizations that we invited to apply for grants, we will select the ones that we believe will benefit the most from our funds. The Jewish Teen Foundation is committed to supporting people affected by domestic violence through organizations/initiatives that provide direct services and preventative measures to ensure physical and mental safety for all.

This is a space to learn more about domestic violence as well as a place for you to become part of the solution! Thank you for your time and donation. No amount is too small, together we can truly make a difference.  Thank you for joining me!

*IMPORTANT: DONATION DEADLINE APRIL 15TH 2021*

Domestic violence is defined as “violent or aggressive behavior within the home, typically involving the violent abuse of a spouse or partner” and no one regardless of their gender, race, religion, sexuality, social economic class, or ethnicity is exempt from experiencing it. In fact, the rates are the same in every community, proving that there is a need for change and fast. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence estimates the following: 

• On average, in the United States, almost 20 people per minute experience physical abuse from an intimate partner. Over the course of one year, this totals to over 20 million people. (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence)

• During the first three weeks of lockdown earlier this year, more than 40,000 calls were made to the National Domestic Abuse helpline," (Domestic abuse campaign: The shocking statistics | Peterborough Telegraph (peterboroughtoday.co.uk)
  

• According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, in the United States, 24 people per minute are victims of physical violence, rape, or stalking by an intimate partner. This totals to over 12 million people per year.

Keep in mind that 1) these statistics are only the reported cases and 2) these numbers only get worse with each passing day in which we are in lockdown.

Domestic violence can manifest in a few different forms aside from physical violence. There is also emotional and verbal abuse, which leads to depression, trauma, anxiety and detestation of the perpetrator, creating an unhealthy relationship. 

• 48.4% of women and 48.8% of men report experiencing at least one instance of physiological abuse from their intimate partner. (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence).

There is economic abuse, which is when one intimate partner controls the financial assets of the partnership and limits the other partners access to funds, leaving the survivor* in a position where they must depend on the perpetrator to support themselves. 

• Around 94-99% of DV survivors report also experiencing economic abuse. (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence).

Lastly, there is sexual abuse, which includes any sexual activities that are started by the perpetrator without the consent of the survivor*. This can include touching without consent, being forced to perform a sexual act, and even rape. 

• "On average, there are 433,648 victims (age 12 or older) of rape and sexual assault each year in the United States," (RAINN, Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network).
  

*Survivor - The term survivor is preferred over victim in terms of relationships with domestic violence because it is a more empowering term. Survivor can be someone who has already left the relationship with domestic violence, OR someone who is still actively in a relationship with domestic violence.

Questions? Comments? Email me at lilihak@outlook.com 

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233