On any given day, if you click on a local news website or watch the news on TV, you’re bound to see at least one story involving domestic violence: a man accused of sending 6,000 messages to his ex-girlfriend, including death threats; SWAT responds after man attempts to flush infant ; man taken into custody after firing shots at officers after a domestic violence incident. These stories are just a sampling of the domestic violence crimes reported in local news over the past

When people think of gender violence, they may think of crimes involving physical violence, such as sexual assault or domestic abuse. While stalking may not immediately spring to mind, it is a serious crime that can absolutely devastate its victims — even if it does not involve a single instance of physical violence. Stalking can take many forms, but at its heart, it’s a pattern of behavior that makes you feel scared, anxious, harassed, or as though you’re in danger. It inc

Recently our news (and social media feeds) have been consumed with one subject: the ability of transgender people to use the bathroom of their choice. At Blackburn Center, we fully support the right of transgender men and women to use whichever bathroom they are comfortable using. We affirm the right of each person to freely express their gender identity. Proponents of discriminatory bathroom laws, which mandate that people must use the public restroom that matches the sex

In November 2013, a campaign was launched to fund the manufacture of a new type of garment designed to prevent rape. Recently, the videos promoting this “anti-rape underwear” have begun to recirculate on social media, with many people proclaiming it to be an excellent idea. The underwear consists of webbing and cut-resistant straps to prevent an attacker from removing the garment, and looks like tiny workout shorts. But while the inventors may have great skill and ingenuity

It’s that time of year again! Pencils have been sharpened, first day of school outfits selected, and backpacks filled. Across Westmoreland County, kids are heading back to school…which makes it the perfect time to talk about a different kind of education for our children! Research shows that it is never too early to talk to kids about important topics such as consent and boundaries. This can be as simple as teaching your preschooler that they have bodily autonomy — that the

If we were to do a survey about the deadliest form of domestic violence, which option would you pick? a) Punching/hitting b) Gunshot c) Strangling d) Knife wound The answer may surprise you: strangulation is the most lethal form of domestic violence. It is also one of the most common forms of physical abuse — 23 to 68% of female domestic violence victims experience at least one episode of strangulation in their lifetimes. It’s critical for us to know more about this for

When people think about domestic violence, the image that likely comes to mind is one of a physically battered person — bruises, broken bones, or worse. While physical violence is often an element of abusive relationships, emotional or verbal abuse is possibly more prevalent — and damaging in its own very significant ways. Emotional abuse can include a wide variety of behaviors — everything from insulting and humiliating a partner to threatening or intimidating her*. An emo

If you follow us on social media or read our blog, you’ve seen that phrase hundreds of times: “rape culture.” It’s become a shorthand term in modern culture for any number of societal issues involving violence against women…but what exactly does it mean? In the first of our Blackburn 101 series, we set out to define this term to help all of our readers better understand exactly what rape culture is ... because if you don’t know what rape culture is or how to recognize it, y

Last week, we highlighted the prevalence of dating violence among teenagers — and now, we’d like to talk about a problem that affects a different generation: the elderly. Elder abuse is a serious issue in this country, affecting some of our most vulnerable citizens. Each year, between 1.6 and 2 million seniors become victims of abuse and neglect. With our rapidly aging population, elder abuse is poised to become an even bigger problem — and one we must address head-on if

Every year, roughly 1 in 10 American teenagers experiences physical abuse at the hands of a dating partner. This sort of dating violence can lead to long-term effects, leaving survivors at increased risk of depression, substance abuse, suicidal thoughts, poor academic performance, and future violence. Although February is officially Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, abuse between teenagers in relationships is a form of domestic violence — and it is just as important that

This month, we are exploring various issues surrounding domestic violence as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Today, we are tackling some basic facts about domestic violence. Share the correct information with people you know! FACT: Domestic violence is a huge problem; it is estimated that 1 in 4 women will be affected by domestic violence in her lifetime, and that 75% of Americans know someone who has experienced domestic violence. Men are also directly impacted