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Education Resources from the National Library of Medicine
Confronting Violence, Improving Women’s Lives provides resources for educators and students to further classroom studies of domestic violence, or as independent studies. These resources are designed to be starting points for exploring historical perspectives and existing tools and services for ending domestic violence in the United States. Educators are welcome to adapt these resources in whole or in part as appropriate for their students’ interests and learning goals.
- The National Library of Medicine
Lesson Plans
- Dating Violence: Science Ambassador Lesson PlansMiddle- and high-school lesson plans from the 2007 Science Ambassador Workshop hosted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Students use scientific process skills in understanding and analyzing data about teen dating violence.
Grade Levels: 7‐12, Subject: Science & Technology - DOMESTIC VIOLENCEThis lesson plan guides students through readings and activities in order for them to formulate answers to the question “Should our democracy require health care providers to report evidence of domestic abuse to the police?” Developed by Deliberating in a Democracy, an international program that promotes teaching and learning of democratic principles and the skills of civic discourses among high school teachers and students.
Grade Levels: 10–12, Subject: History & Social Studies - DOMESTIC VIOLENCE UNITOne of the online resources from the Minnesota Literacy Council’s Curriculum and Lesson Plans web page. It provides classroom activities and materials for a one-week curriculum that focuses on students’ becoming familiar with what is domestic and dating violence, who it affects, and what resources are available for help.
Grade Levels: Intermediate English language learners, Subject: Health Education - JUDGES IN THE CLASSROOM LESSON PLAN: Domestic ViolenceThis lesson engages students in understanding and evaluating domestic/dating violence acts in conjunction with the laws against such crimes in the state of Washington. It offers simulation scenarios and highlights a couple of state and federal laws for class discussions. This is one of the educational resources on the Washington State Courts website.
Grade Levels: 9–12, Subject: History & Social Studies - LOVE IS NOT ABUSEThis is a literature-based high-school curriculum intended for English teachers to help students understand, identify, and take actions against dating abuse. “Love Is Not Abuse” uses literature and encourages critical thinking in discussions about teen dating abuse and healthy relationships. This is one of the resources provided by Breaking the Cycle’s Youth Leadership and Education web page.
Grade Levels: 9–12, Subject: Literature
Important Dates
Dates Related to the Confronting Violence: Improving Women’s Lives Exhibition
January 30-31, 1978:
- The United States Commission on Civil Rights sponsors a “Consultation on Battered Women: Issues of Public Policy.” The hearings highlight the issue of battered women as a national concern.
February: Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
March: Women’s History Month
March 4-8, 1976:
- First meeting of the International Tribunal on Crimes Against Women in Brussels. A resolution on domestic violence is sent to the governments of all countries.
March 8, 1977:
- The first International Women’s Day is celebrated, which is now an annual celebration on March 8.
April: Sexual Assault Awareness Month
1st full week: Public Health Week
May 6-12: National Nurses Week
June 15: World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
July 19-20, 1848:
- The first Women’s rights convention is held in Seneca Falls, New York.
August 18, 1920:
- The U.S. Congress ratifies the 19th Amendment, giving women the right to vote.
September 3, 1981:
- The United Nations Adopts the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of discrimination Against Women.
September 13, 1994:
- President Bill Clinton signs the Violence Against Women Act.
October: National Domestic Violence Awareness Month
October 27, 1985:
- U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop issues a report identifying domestic violence as a major health problem for women.
October 6, 1989:
- The U.S. Congress passes Public Law 101-112, designating October of that year as the National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
November
November 1, 1985:
- The Nursing Network on Violence Against Women International is formed.
December 20, 1993:
- The United Nations adopts “The Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women.”
Higher Education
- DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: A History of Reform and Activism in the United StatesModule developed for undergraduate and graduate level courses to accompany the National Library of Medicine exhibition, Confronting Violence, Improving Women’s Lives. Amy C. Sullivan, PhD, authored this module that uses women’s history and the history of domestic violence to promote understanding of reform efforts over the past three centuries. The module analyzes current knowledge and best practices for victims of relationship violence.
Online Activities
- TOOLS FOR PERSONAL SAFETYLipstick tubes, nail files, and a business card are ordinary items that a person may carry. But are they? Examine these three small items that are designed to help survivors and victims of domestic violence carry safety information discretely until needed.
- ADVOCATES FOR CHANGEPeople from a wide variety of reform movements have undertaken efforts to address the many different factors that affect women’s well-being. Create a collage of women and men who have worked to improve women’s lives and health.
Other Resources
Continue to learn about the history, causes and effects, and prevention strategies related to domestic violence. Examine its history in the United States, starting with the Curator’s Bibliography. Explore how one may seek help, as well as get involved in preventing domestic and other kinds of violence by accessing several online examples of programs, services, and suggested readings that are listed under Online Resources.
- Apps Against Abuse Challenge: SubmissionsIn 2011, the Office of the Vice President and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services sponsored a technology challenge called, “Apps Against Abuse.” This submission page of the challenge’s archival page lists the two winners and more than 30 other anti-domestic violence apps submitted for the challenge.