Activism Log 2

This week tabling took place Tuesday after class, unfortunately our tabling time was cut short because it started to rain. Thursday tabling was not an option due to the tornado and thunderstorm warnings. The weather has definitely been a big pitfall this week because our activism relies on tabling, and the weather is huge factor in tabling outside. I am thinking of organizing for our group a get together to have an arts and crafts day this weekend, or the earlier part of next week, in case the weather won't allow us to table. This way we have a backup plan for those individuals who still need their service learning hours, and we could make some toys for Animal Safehouse.

Where "the chance of being victimized by an intimate is significantly greater for women 85% than for men 15%" (Kirk, Okazawa-Rey 258), it is important because domestic violence affects women all over the world, in various socioeconomic statuses and ethnic backgrounds.This relates to our work for Animal Safehouse because domestic violence and its incidence is the reason why programs like Animal Safehouse were created. According to the Family Violence Prevention Fund (1998) "Every year, as many as 4 million American women are physically abused by men..." (Kirk, Okazawa-Rey 260). Animal Safehouse helps aide these domestic violence survivors by creating an avenue of support to be able to leave the abusive relationship, by creating a fostering network for their pets, which many people see as their own kids, will allow the survivors to help leave that relationship. According to the Animal Safehouse website, 50% of women do not leave abusive relationships for fear her pet will be injured or killed. Most domestic violence shelters do not allow pets, so Animal Safehouse is the support that the survivors need until the survivors have transitioned, and can get reunited with their pets.

I love the fact that I get to witness all different types of people with different types of ideals and backgrounds, who are interested in Animal Safehouse and coming up to the table to learn more. I think being able to bring awareness on campus, where "according to the government Office of Violence Against Women, 20% of teenage girls and young women have experienced some form of dating violence" (Kirk, Okazawa-Rey 261). I feel that bringing awareness of the prevalence of domestic violence on campus, where statistically, women are at the highest risk of being a victim of gender based violence from the ages of 19-22, is important to hand out resources of shelters, hotlines, and support for these individuals. 

Word count: 430

Works Cited

Kirk, Gwyn, Okazawa-Rey, Margo. Women’s Lives Multicultural Perspectives Fifth Edition. McGraw-Hill , February 2009. Print.