2.  “Violence is not inevitable, it’s learned, and if it’s learned, it can be unlearned”

We at Model Behaviors have made it our mission to help put an end to domestic violence.  And as part of our mission to raise awareness, we have partnered up with Women Called Moses, a nonprofit that is on the frontlines of this widespread issue, that rescues women from abusive relationships. Everyday, women are rallying against this issue and standing up against domestic violence, so it is no surprise that TEDWomen 2013 added Esta Soler to their recent high-profile platform.  Soler has been a passionate activist for this cause since the seventies.  As she takes to the stage, she has a Polaroid camera in her possession.  Though this antiquated technology seems harmless, it was her weapon back then.  She has taken countless Polaroid pictures of bruises, injuries, and violence.  These snapshots have been legal evidence, and over the years, they have helped her understand that “violence is not inevitable, it is learned.  And if it is learned, it can be unlearned and prevented.”  Through our own research and interviews, we have come to the same conclusion and also feel that this cycle can and needs to be stopped.

To help stop this cycle, Soler founded an organization thirty years ago and now it is known as Futures Without Violence.  In addition to her organization, she helped pass the Violence against Women Act of 1994.  She goes on to say that her journey has not been an easy one.  According to Soler, a male senator referred to the act as the “take the fun out of marriage act.”  Despite the scrutiny, the Act was passed, recognizing domestic violence as a crime and not just a family matter, and it provides education and training for law enforcement, to help them handle domestic violence incidents appropriately.  Since its passage into law, the domestic violence rate has dropped 64 percent.  That is a significant difference, but the fight is far from over.  Soler says, “we are not going to solve this by building more jails or more shelters.  It’s going to be solved through economic empowerment for women [and] healing kids who are hurt.  It’s about prevention with a capital P.” Futures Without Violence provides domestic violence prevention education and training programs to women and men, and girls and boys.  The organization promotes the importance of healthy and respectful relationships.  To learn more about this amazing woman and her organization, click here. Together, we can make a difference.