for Diverse Youth Groups
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Part 1: A Brief history of the merit program with photos Part 2: A sample DV Awareness Merit Program for Diverse Youth Groups Part 3: Photos from the California State Assembly awards on June 18, 2001 Part 4: Listen to the BBC Broadcast about Girl Scouts & Domestic Violence Part 5: California Senate and Senator Byron D. Sher honor Merit Program participants Part 6: Important Research Resources on Children and Violence |
Pam Butler, a Domestic Violence Victim Advocate in Santa Clara County, has lectured widely to groups ranging from elementrary school students to psychiatrists. Since the inception of this website (www.growing.com/nonviolent) in March 1998 she has worked closely with the webmaster to develop methods for education using the multimedia resources of the net. Such methods as having links on computers in schools, libraries, and offices of counselors can work if there is an incentive for a young person to study the material in a guided and graded fashion. The most effective approach would be to have a group of youth guided by an adult and given an award or other incentive for completion of core and elective activities.
In 1999 Ms. Butler heard a network news story about a Girl Scout Council in Keyser, West Virginia, that had created a Domestic Violence Awareness Patch Program. Ms. Butler spoke with Judge Len Edwards and he asked her to offer her materials to Santa Clara County Girl Scouts. Ms. Butler received a copy of the West Virgina Girl Scouts Patch Program and organized her materials consistent with the Girl Scout Program. The DV Awareness Merit program made ample use of the County's internet resources and was ready in time for the Domestic Violence Awareness Month Kickoff Press Conference on October 3, 2000. At that time the Girl Scout Council of Santa Clara County announced they were implementing their own DV Awareness Patch Program based on the combined work of Ms. Butler and the West Virginia Girl Scouts. The Girl Scouts passed out copies of their particular patch program in media kits at the Press Conference.
Ms. Butler has many resources available. Not only is she the founder of the Victims' Voice Committee of the Domestic Violence Council, but she is also the county liason to the Domestic Violence Internet Project, and a busy lecturer. The DV Awareness Merit made ample use of the County's internet resources. Among the members of the Victims' Voice committee was Neicsa Page Jackson, a dynamic young woman who is a Troop leader, a mother, a tutor, and a student while holding down two jobs. Neicsa's troop became the first to complete the pilot program and was awarded honors by Judge Len Edwards at a Santa Clara County Domestic Violence Council meeting on February 2, 2001 (see photos below). Another member of the Victims' Voice Committee, Charlene Haussler, designed the actual patch which you can see at the top of this page. Ms. Butler, Ms. Page and her troop were further honored by the California State Assembly and later by the California Senate. The Generic DV Awareness Merit Program is now being evaluated by a number of groups. For more information you can contact Ms. Butler at (408) 488-3432 or pbutler@growing.com.
You can read the Merit Program Manual here.
Above are Neicsa Page Jackson (left) and Pam Butler (right).
Neicsa Page Jackson and family.
The first troop to complete a patch program based on the Generic DV Awareness Merit Program.
Pam Butler is shown speaking before the troop.
Neisca & daughters prepare to meet the DV Council.
They are shown holding a collage created by the troop.
Neicsa & daughters at the Domestic Violence Council meeting.
Judge Len Edwards, Chair of the Council, applauds the troop.
Neicsa Page Jackson & Pam Butler award the patches and certificates at a special ceremony.
Collage, made by the troop members as part of their requirements for the DV awareness program.
Ajhanai, Brownie GS, is 8. She lives in San Jose and would like to become a veterinarian. She is glad she studied domestic violence, "so maybe it will never happen to me!" She says that if children live in a home with DV "they may learn to think violence is O.K."
Briana, Brownie GS, lives in San Jose.
Amanda, Junior GS, is 11 and lives in San Jose. She would like to study law and enjoys singing. She says it is important to learn about domestic violence because "when it happens to someone you will know what to do and won't be as scared." She says DV can affect children because "they may grow up to think violence is OK."
Andrea, Junior GS, is 9 and lives in San Jose. She would like to become a professional singer. She says it is important to learn about domestic violence "so that it won't happen to you." She believes that children who witness DV may grow to think it is OK.
Neicsa, Junior GS, is 10 and lives in San Jose. She is interested in singing, acting and modeling. She believes it is important to spend some time learning about domestic violence so that "if your partner is beating you, you can get him locked up." She thinks DV affects children because "they can get hurt, or they can grow up to be violent."
Irma, Junior GS, is 9 and lives in San Jose. She would like to be a model. She believes learning about domestic violence "will help me stay safe."
Sky, Junior GS, is 9 and lives in San Jose. She thinks modeling would be a good career. She says it is good to study domestic violence "so that you can help." She thinks DV hurts children by making them live with fear.
Latonya, Junior GS, is 10 and lives in San Jose. She says 10 is too early to choose a career. but she likes homework and the outdoors. She believes everyone should study domestic violence "so that you can understand what is happening." She believes that children can physically hurt by DV in the home.
Melissa, Junior GS, is 10 and lives in San Jose. She would like to be a dentist or a singer. "It is important to learn about domestic violence so you will know what to do if it happens to you!" She says that watching DV in the home "may teach chidren to grow up and do it."
Shaquoia, Junior GS, is 10 and lives in San Jose. She is considering a career in modeling. She thinks people should learn about domestic violence "so they can help". She believes domestic violence can affect children by frightening them.
Chanice, Cadette GS, is 12 and lives in San Jose. She would like to become a pediatrician. Studying domestic violence is important, she says, because "you can learn to treat people better and live a good life." She also says that children are hurt "when they are stuck in the middle of their parents' fight."
Martaleah, Cadette GS, is 12 and lives in San Jose. She would like to become a doctor, perhaps a pediatrician. She says "you have to study domestic violence so you can be prepared for anything." She thinks children are affected by DV in the home and says that "they may end up acting like the abuser." Martaleah and her sister Tamaraleah (below) played Malcom X's daughter in the movie staring Denzel Washington.
Tamaraleah, Cadette GS, is 12 and lives in San Jose. She would like to be a doctor, perhaps a pediatrician. She states that "it is important to learn about domestic violence so that you can be aware of it before it happens". She believes that children who witness DV are more likely to "become like the parents who abuse them". Tamaraleah and her sister Martaleah (above) played Malcom X's daughter in the movie staring Denzel Washington.
Richard, Helper, is 7 and lives in San Jose. Richard is the Troop Leader's youngest son. He would lilke to play drums in a band. Richard says that the information he learned about domestic violence "can help keep people safe". He believes that "children are hurt by violence in their homes."