New “Anti-Stab” Knives

A knife with a new tip (see photo above) is to be released in the UK this fall, reports the BBC.

Many factors of the typical knife design have been re-considered. These new knives have blunt rounded tips which make it difficult to successfully injure another person. In the worst case scenario, these changes make stabbing injuries less severe and less likely to be fatal.

British police have noted kitchen knives as the most common weapon in fatal stabbings. Doctors have also been advocating for re-engineered kitchen knives to make stab wounds less fatal. One doctor explains the danger of common household knives:

“[They] are freely available to the very young and very old, and used by people who may be clumsy, short tempered, drunk or mentally or physically unwell. Most people fit into one or more of these categories at some time in their lives."

Domestic violence in homes can escalate out of control rapidly, so modifying a regular household item to make it less dangerous and reduce the potential for harm to women and their families is an important development. It is not hard to imagine the severity of the threat in which potentially lethal weapons are commonly used as objects of intimidation or worse. Let’s hope to see this in the USA as well as the UK!

To read more about Safety Planning if you are in an abusive relationship visit WomensLaw.org.

New “Anti-Stab” Knives

Woman Murdered When She Changed Her Facebook Status

(This Facebook Profile is not real. It is meant to be an example of what a profile looks like.)

An article by the BBC reports a man murdered his wife of 15 years after she left him and then changed her Facebook status to "Single". In a critique of the BBC article, Feministing.com points out that not once is the term "domestic violence" used to explain what happened. By interpreting the crime as a direct result of the woman changing her Facebook status, the serious issue of domestic violence in our world continues to be ignored or understated. Most often men do not just murder their wives and girlfriends after being faithful, loyal, supportive, loving husbands. Generally, there is a long history of emotional and physical abuse before a man commits murder.

Unfortunately, what this article does rightly point out is the danger of technology to women in domestic violence relationships. If you are in an abusive relationship or you know someone who is read about Internet Security on WomensLaw.org for tips on how to stay safe.

Woman Murdered When She Changed Her Facebook Status

Spot Light On: Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

The Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (ANDVSA) is a network of 21 statewide programs providing shelter, legal advocacy, counseling and crisis assistance to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault since 1977.

Some stats about Alaska taken from a Public Opinion Survey conducted by Hellenthal and Assoc., 2006.

• Alaska rates as the number one state in America for sexual assault and murders of women by their abusers
• Almost 75% of people in Alaska have or know someone who has experienced domestic violence
• 73.1% of Alaskans can name their local domestic violence resource

For more facts and stats about Alaska, you can also read this study published by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Spot Light On: Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

Nearly Half of the Murders of Women in NYC are a Result of Domestic Violence

Since the presidential race has been taking up most of the media air waves, there has been less coverage on domestic violence issues than usual. However, Gothamist just posted a review of the Health Department's report about domestic violence in NYC between 2003 and 2005. Among many alarming facts, the message is clear: Domestic violence is a huge problem within this society and it needs more attention. Read the Gothamist review here or see the actual PDF here.

Nearly Half of the Murders of Women in NYC are a Result of Domestic Violence