GREEN BAY (NBC 26) — It’s a problem in the community that’s often invisible. This week, the YWCA of Greater Green Bay is working to raise awareness about violence against women and young girls.
YWCA's Week Without Violence is an annual global movement to combat gender-based violence. Each year, YWCAs across the country and the world set aside one week in October to hold events to educate the public.
It’s a problem that often goes unnoticed. According to the YWCA, 1 in 4 women in the U.S are victims of domestic violence.
"YWCA's recognize that all violence may not be known," said Amy Schaeuble, the executive director of YWCA Green Bay. "There may be women and girls right here that we’re unaware of that are either in domestic violence or different types of violence.”
Throughout the week, the YWCA of Greater Green Bay will host a series of events aimed at empowering women, from panel discussions to a self defense workshop.
State representative Kristina Shelton, who previously served as the YWCA program director, held a discussion Monday to share how people can get involved in preventing domestic violence.
“Talk to your family friends and neighbors about the issues that you care about," Shelton said. "So much of our work happens in our homes and in our neighborhoods and when we talk about that it sort of removes the stigma of the violence and it allows us to have some pretty honest and courageous conversations about what’s happening.”
Another key component of Week Without Violence is educating the next generation. Throughout the week, various community leaders will stop by to read to YWCA childcare students.
"The idea there is to say violence doesn’t have to be part of your world. The books that they’ll be reading are about peace," said Suzanne Wittman, the director of the YWCA Women's Empowerment Center.
In addition, the YWCA also currently has a YW Children Art Exhibit on display where visitors can see childcare students' artwork depicting what peace means to them.
Through education and conversation, the YWCA hopes to break the silence about an issue that affects so many.
“This is something that affects women and girls and also people from the BIPOC community, our indigenous women, people from the LGBTQ community, this is an issue that cross cuts many different identities and backgrounds and experiences,” Shelton said.
“If you want to register for something you can come in for free, you can try a class, we’re just trying to be welcoming and just let you know that there’s a place for you here especially if you’re a woman, especially if you’re a woman of color," Wittman said.
