Editorials

<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   HAVE YOUR SAY Feel strongly about something? Share it with the community by writing a letter to the editor. You’ll need to include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) We reserve the right to edit letters, but if you keep yours to 300 words or less, we won’t ask you to shorten it. If your letter is published, please wait 30 days before submitting another. Send it to: E-mail: letters@heraldnet.com Mail: Letters section The Herald P.O. Box 930 Everett, WA 98206 Fax: 425-339-3458 Have a question about letters? Contact Carol MacPherson (cmacpherson@heraldnet.com or 425-339-3472).   Published: Tuesday, July 1, 2008 Shelter's name change reflects critical progress The Snohomish County Center for Battered Women is catching up to change. As of today, its new name -- Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County -- reflects society's slow realization that women aren't the only victims of abuse. The shelter provides services to all victims of domestic violence, regardless of gender, and the new name embodies that philosophy. Though the old name became outdated, its meaning can in no way fade, explained Vicci Hilty, development director for the shelter. The shelter was a direct result of the triumphs of the women's movement, which empowered women to escape abusive situations, and help others do so. As she noted, "We can never forget where we came from." The road is a long one. But our understanding of domestic violence has progressed, and so must its definitions. Victimhood is losing its stigma at a pace that's slow, yet full of milestones. The majority of abuse is still male to female, but more men come forward as victims every year. Teresa Cox, domestic violence prosecutor for the city of Everett, estimated that out of every 20 domestic violence cases she sees, five to seven have male victims. The term "battered" was also an important part of the name to drop; it refers only to physical abuse, and years of studies have taught us that physical abuse is not the only kind, nor always the worst. The new name signifies that "But they never hit me" is no longer a disqualifying factor in abuse cases. To smooth the name-change transition, the shelter will keep both names functional for at least a year, including its e-mail addresses and directory information. Girl Scouts will help update about 10,000 brochures with stickers covering the old name. Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County is the only confidential domestic violence shelter in the county and is working to expand its services. As always, domestic violence victims need old cell phones, which can call 911 even without a carrier. Even old, unusable cell phones raise money, and chances are a drop-off location for the shelter is located near you. (See www.snococbw.org/cellphones.htm for a list.) The shelter is a vital part of the community, and the help it provides needs to become more visible. Domestic Violence Services doesn't just react to abuse, and victims shouldn't have to learn the hard way about its existence. It seems like a small change, but the shelter's new name represents the power of social consciousness to make a positive difference.

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