One Web site I admire greatly is the Break the Cycle Web site: http://www.breakthecycle.org/ . This site is dedicated to helping youth end domestic violence. This digital presentation of the site and information is definitely the best way to get things done. It is readily available to anyone interested. One merely needs to visit the site at any time and they will get whatever information they need. Not just is it readily available, but it is very helpful to a person in need. It lists a number of hotlines for certain places or for emergencies. It even has a “sister site” called The Safe Space. You can easily reach this site through Break the Cycle.org by a mere click of a button.
This Safe Space is accessible from Break the Cycle.org. It is a place for someone currently facing domestic violence. The glory of it is simply this: should an aggressor walk in while one is visiting the site there is a button you press which automatically takes you to a random site and makes the Safe Space untraceable. The aggressor would have no way of knowing that the victim was seeking help! It is amazing, and no other form other than this digital presentation via Web site could accomplish this.
Many of that, which is on the site, in order to put it in print text, would have to be changed. No longer could you “click on links” to get to another Web site. One would merely have to list the links, what they do, and where they take you. Also, Break the Cycle and The Safe Space could not share the same printed text. Each would have their own. It would not be possible to easily access one from the other. Much information that is set in stone, were it to be given through speech, may accidentally be forgotten, and also, the information would not be readily available for those who seek it.
The lack of information in text is my main concern. It would be impossible to “ask the experts” on a piece of paper. On the site, one merely needs to click on the link, send in the question, and one would receive an answer within 24 hours. However, was it given through text rather than Web site, who knows how long one would have to wait to receive a response? The safety and privacy would be lost forever in any other form. The Safe Space feature of being untraceable would be lost forever. It is essential they make it safe to visit regardless of any situation a person may be in! Imagine, a girl in an abusive relationship, has a pamphlet about ending domestic violence. The guy sees it; she gets beat up or even killed. With the Safe Space feature, this risk is greatly reduced if not eliminated. How wonderful that such help is there for anyone who needs it.
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Mandy I think this is a wonderful website and what a great tool for women in domestic violence situations everywhere. I think it is great that you shared such valuable information with the class. I agree that much would be lost "translating" this format into text, or another form of communication. The site even goes so far as to continue to protect the victim online if the aggressor should come into the room. I am amazed and saddened that we need such tools. In today’s society women and children are abused every single day and it is important that we get them tools and allow them to get out of these horrible situations. Education is key, and without it many of these individuals would be unable to break the cycle of violence. Well done!
Thanks for sharing this with us - I'm going to bookmark it to share it with my other classes.
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