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“Movie nights” are a regular occurrence in our Cornerstone Program, but the film we screened on March 6^th was different.  We had the exciting opportunity to screen The Other City, a limited release documentary about HIV/AIDS in Washington, DC.  The film told the stories of three people living with HIV, including J’Mia Edwards, an HIV+ mother of three about to lose her temporary housing.  J’Mia, who has now achieved permanent housing and works with Metro TeenAIDS, attended our screening and met with our residents.

Although DASH doesn’t have a direct focus on HIV/AIDS, we know that intimate-partner violence and HIV are closely linked.  Women who have experienced intimate partner violence are three-times more likely than non-abused women to have HIV.  The relationship is two-fold: intimate partner violence increases a woman’s risk of contracting HIV, and HIV increases a woman’s risk of experiencing intimate partner violence.  There’s a stereotypical ideas that the solution to the HIV epidemic is as easy as handing out condoms, but what if, as J’Mia Edwards asks in the film; “your partner is going to give you a black eye for asking him to wear one?” For too many women, violence is a more immediate threat than possibly contracting HIV or an STI.

J’Mia also stated many times in the film the importance of safe housing, and the role of safe housing in HIV prevention. The event highlighted the links between domestic violence, HIV, and homelessness.

We know that domestic violence exists across all demographics; a certain socioeconomic status or sexual orientation cannot protect against it. However, for low-income women, the effects of intimate partner violence can be more apparent and more devastating.  According to the National Network to End Domestic Violence, 92% of homeless women have experienced severe physical or sexual abuse.  About 25% of homeless women report domestic violence as the direct cause of their homeless; according to other studies, it’s the cause at least half of the time.

In order to exert more power and control over their victims, abusers commonly also limit their available sources of financial and emotional support.  An abuser might take their victim’s existing money and prevent them from getting a job.  Many survivors come out of relationships with poor or non-existent credit, rental, and employment history.  It’s also typical for a survivor to lack close bonds with family and friends.  With no money and no friends, a high percentage of victims stay in abusive relationships simply because they have no other place to go. Abusers may also use a victim’s positive HIV status to convince them that no one else could love them; conversely, they could block the victim from receiving medical attention, or from getting tested in the first place.

At DASH, we provide housing and victim services, as well as  hope to increase understanding in the community.  In DC, the effects of all three can be seen all around but are too often ignored.  Organizations like ours are key in increasing the visibility of “the other city.”

Alexis Gareau is one of four graduate interns currently working with DASH. She’s originally from Bowie, Maryland, and she attended The Catholic University of America. She is now pursuing her Masters in Social Work and is the proud owner of three adorable Jersey calves-Winnie, Annie and Bea, and an equally adorable hound mix puppy named Ellie. We asked her a few questions to showcase both how amazing she is and the impact she’s made at DASH.

1. Why did you choose to do your internship at DASH?: “I was really drawn to DASH’s low-barrier, harm-reduction model. I also felt strongly about working with victims of domestic and sexual violence in a team environment.”
2. What social justice issue are you most passionate about?: “Homeless/housing issues, as well as environmental and animal rights issues. Lots and lots of issues!”
3. What has been your favorite moment while working at DASH: “Helping a resident meet a goal she has set for herself.”
4. What are your plans for after DASH: “I’ll keep you posted ;)”
5. What is your spirit animal? “Probably a whale-they’re big enough that no one will mess with them, but they don’t have to be violent to assert their authority. Also, the OCEAN IS AMAZING.”

What DASH staff say about Alexis:

“I have appreciated Alexis thoughtful questions and processing with her around both client and organizational nuances. She is appreciated on the team and seems to have found her niche with her residents.”

“I appreciate Alexis’s perseverance.”

“Sure of herself, quiet, goal driven, always has a smile on her face. She’s works well with the residents.”

“Alexis has a really grounded attitude that I appreciate. She is easily able to put others at ease with little effort.”

On behalf of DASH staff and residents, we are so grateful for Phi Sigma Pi’s recent donation drive at Safeway to benefit DASH.

The event was organized by the American University Chapter of Phi Sigma Pi, a national honor fraternity. They sent sixteen members to table for four hours at the Safeway in Georgetown.

They collected over $500.00 worth of purchased groceries that day including canned goods, cereal, pasta, feminine products, and toiletries for DASH women and children.

Get involved! Learn how you can host a “FunRaiser” for DASH, click here.

Tracy Thurman

Women’s History Month is here already, and we at DASH could not be more excited! We dedicate our first “spotlight on women” post to Tracy Thurman, who used her suffering to change the way police respond to spousal abuse in the US.  After her abusive husband nearly killed her in 1983, she sued the Torrington, Connecticut police department for violating her right to equal protection under the law.

Though her abuser had made repeated threats on her life, the police ignored her reports because the abuse happened within a marriage.  Two weeks after she reported that he violated his restraining order, which was grounds for arrest, he repeatedly stabbed her.  Even after 3 policemen arrived on the scene, her abuser wasn’t arrested and continued to threaten her.  Finally, he was taken into custody as she was taken to the hospital.

In 1985, Tracy Thurman won her civil lawsuit and was awarded $2.3 million in damages.  More importantly, her journey brought massive changes in domestic violence laws. Now, domestic violence is an arrestable offense even if the victim doesn’t press charges. She continued to work with survivors of domestic violence; her life and her testimony paved the way for laws protecting victims of violence and we remember her story even today. Keep an eye out for more fearless women making change in preventing violence!

Andy Bowen is one of four Social Work and three Undergrad interns at DASH this year. She’s from Severna Park, MD, but she claims DC as her real home. She’s currently getting her Masters in Social Work at the University of Maryland – College Park. She has been interning at DASH since August and will be leaving us in April – but we are not quite ready to let her go. We asked her a few questions to showcase both how amazing she is and the impact she’s made at DASH.

• How did you end up doing your internship at DASH?: “My band, Southern Problems, played a benefit show for DASH back in August 2012. I knew it was an organization that valued what I value: commitment to community, harm reduction, empowerment. When time came to apply to a second-year internship for my MSW program, DASH was my first choice.”
• What social justice issue are you are most passionate about and why: “Economic justice is always the issue that I’m most focused on. My first job out of college was working in labor organizing, and it was impossible not to be infuriated and driven by the countless stories of people getting violated by their bosses, an inadequate safety net, and an overall system that wants for compassion.”
• What has been your favorite DASH moment?: “I can’t go into specifics because of confidentiality, but there’s nothing like talking to one of the residents and having that moment where you both really get one another. That’s where healing starts.”
• What are your plans for after DASH?: “Working on transgender and economic policy issues, most likely.”
• If you had to be an animal what animal you be and why?: “I like cats, but they’re generally mean. I’d like to be a nice cat. Fighting all the meanness.”

What DASH staff say about Andy: 

“From the moment I met her I knew she was a go getter and that she would be a perfect fit for DASH. She always makes herself available to the women and staff, she will and does go the extra mile, you can tell that she loves her work and it shows in the work that she does. She will be a wonderful addition to any organization that she works with.”

“I appreciate Andy’s analysis.”

“I have really appreciated watching Andy work one on one with our residents. She’s shows a tenacity for assisting the residents in reaching their goals that I think the residents really appreciate.”

“Andy makes coming into work in the morning brighter and happier. She is always smiling, always ready talk, support or listen. She is going to do great things.”