FUTURES WITHOUT VIOLENCE

FUTURES National Judicial Education Project helps battered women and their children by educating judges on how their decisions can play a critical role in preventing domestic violence injuries and deaths, increasing their cultural competence, and by assisting municipalities in developing domestic violence courts. Since 1999, FUTURES has trained nearly 9,000 judges across the U.S. to enhance their understanding of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking, and equip them with the tools they need to better support victims of abuse

Recognizing the health impacts of domestic and sexual violence, FUTURES works across sectors to advance quality health care for patients everywhere. FUTURES pioneers best practices and policies to address the unique health needs of survivors of violence and promote prevention. FUTURES provides training and technical assistance to improve health care providers’ response to domestic violence and innovative partnerships that make health care more accessible to survivors when they need it most. FUTURES provides access to the latest research, training and resources to improve the health care response to domestic violence. For nearly 20 years, FUTURES has been the federally – designated National Health Resource Center on Domestic Violence. Bridging the gaps between domestic and sexual violence advocates, health care professionals, law enforcement, and social workers, our programs support innovative partnerships that promote a more holistic approach to health care for survivors of violence.

FUTURES launched the first ever national public education campaign on domestic violence – There’s No Excuse for Domestic Violence – in 1994. Now FUTURES is reaching young men and boys through the Coaching Boys into Men campaign, encouraging men to communication to the young men and boys in their lives that violence against women is wrong. Through media and through work with allied organizations, coaches, and others who reach men and boys, FUTURES is delivering the message that men can make a difference.

Workers in low-wage industries are especially vulnerable to sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking and trafficking. An individual with limited skills, inadequate education or language abilities, or insecure immigration status has fewer job opportunities and may fear retaliation if he or she attempts to report and challenge discriminatory behavior, labor violations, criminal acts or other unsafe working conditions. FUTURES is pioneering collaborations between anti-violence advocates, service providers, worker associations, the criminal justice system, labor and immigration officials, employers, and more to forge innovative solutions to this important issue. By creating an open dialogue between these stakeholders, FUTURES strives to create a safer, more equitable and more productive working environment and community.

FUTURES has a voice on all levels of government in the development of public policy. It has provided key leadership on issues of violence against women and children that has resulted in addressing domestic violence in the military for the first time, improving options for immigrant women experiencing violence, and in 1994, FUTURES was instrumental in developing the landmark Violence Against Women Act passed by the U.S. Congress which provides critical funding to local service agencies across the country that make the critical difference in the lives of victims of violence.