February is National Teen Dating Violence Awareness & Prevention Month

The hazards in teen relationships – obsession, possession, rejection, violence – are well documented in national research. Learn more about the prevalence of teen dating violence at The Centers for Disease Control and The Violence Against Women Online Resources website.

National Teen Dating Violence Awareness & Prevention Month is a time when anti-violence groups across the country focus on efforts to help adolescents understand the warning signs of an unhealthy relationship and avoid these hazards.

FISA Foundation Funds PCADV's Prevention Efforts

PCADV is pleased to announce that the FISA Foundation has awarded a $30,000 grant to the Coalition for an innovative Primary Prevention Initiative in southwestern Pennsylvania.

“These grant funds will enable us to lead community-wide discussions and strategies to engage schools, parents and community leaders as active prevention partners,” PCADV Executive Director Peg Dierkers said. “Through awareness education and concerted community action, we can prevent domestic violence against women and girls.”

The mission of the FISA Foundation is to build a culture of respect and improve the quality of life for three populations in southwestern Pennsylvania: women, girls and people with disabilities. For 100 years, FISA has been led by women and has focused on responding to unmet community needs.

Walmart Associates
Award PCADV $100,000

PCADV is honored to be the recipient of a $100,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Walmart Associate Choice Program.

The Walmart Foundation announced the award in August after tallying the votes of thousands of Walmart associates across the state who chose PCADV from among the five Pennsylvania nonprofits nominated for the 2010 grant. The Foundation sponsors the Associate Choice Program each year in all 50 states.

PCADV is deeply grateful to the good and generous people at Walmart for recognizing the importance of the work we do to reduce and prevent domestic violence, and for helping us move forward in our efforts to build safer, stronger communities.

1 is 2 Many

Vice President Biden Launches Campaign to Reduce Violence Against Teenage Girls and Women Ages 16-24

In a video message tweeted by Vice President Biden, he called on high school and college students to share their ideas for how to prevent dating violence and sexual assault at their schools and on their college campuses.  Over the next two weeks, young men and women are invited to join this important conversation by submitting their ideas via the new
1 is 2 Many page or on Twitter.

Watch the video message from Vice President Biden

Learn more about the 1 is 2 Many campaign.

PCADV Receives Check
from WAWA

Maria Macaluso, Executive Director of Women´s Center of Montgomery County and Beth Sturman, Executive Director of Laurel House, Montgomery County, accepted a check for $60,136.23 on behalf of all the southeastern domestic violence programs that share in the proceeds. The event was held on August 25, 2011 at the Wawa Easton, PA store # 89 to celebrate the 35Th anniversary. Wawa´s contribution to PCADV was raised through in-store donations by customers and community associates throughout Pennsylvania during the second quarter of 2011.

PCADV thanks Wawa and its customers and community partners for their generous contribution to the cause of preventing domestic violence and providing its victims and their children in Pennsylvania with safe refuge and a new start in life.

Growing Up Strong

Sarah Keefer was just 12 when she lost her mother to a deadly act of domestic violence five years ago. Read the inspirational story, by John Luciew of The Patriot-News, of how this amazing young woman triumphed over tragedy, and now plans to help others. Click here to read the full story.

A Mother Remembers

Click on the link below to read PCADV board member Stephanie Garman Maurer´s touching Mother´s Day tribute to her late daughter, Kirsten, a victim of domestic violence.
Read Full Story

Impact of the Economy on
Domestic Violence

Recent bad economic news has prompted numerous media inquiries about the link between between the downturn in the economy and a rise in domestic violence. While there is no research or data to make the case that recession, unemployment or empty bank accounts directly cause domestic violence, we do know that these stressful circumstances often exacerbate situations where domestic violence already is a factor. Many programs in PA and around the country attribute their overflowing shelters and waiting lists to the financial hardships currently confronting victims and their abusers. Domestic violence advocates are gravely concerned for the safety of battered victims and their children who now have fewer options and resources as the abuse escalates and the funding for local domestic violence programs dwindles. Related Information and News Articles