Thirty years ago an amazing thing happened in Washington DC! Over 100 advocates from throughout the United States came to share with Congress their experience and knowledge about the emerging problem of Domestic Abuse (DA). There were fewer than 250 programs in the country and few states had formed a coalition. Today, every state has a coalition, shelters and provides some degree of resources.

At the same time, a courageous group of World Bank Group spouses also united to assist WBG spouses impacted by DA. Their ongoing advocacy led to an institutional response and the creation of the HUB, a Domestic Abuse Prevention Task Force, and a protocol and unit for handling abuse cases; providing prevention and help for the abuser and the victim.
Domestic Abuse is not a simple matter and it is not limited to physical battering. It affects people across ethnic, racial, age, religious, gender, geographical and socioeconomic lines. In the last fifteen years, changes in social attitudes have impacted US laws and policies, and DA is now viewed as a serious crime, not a “family matter”. Non US citizens are sometimes reluctant to seek services yet a person does not need to be a citizen or legal permanent resident to obtain a protective order against an abuser. An immigrant can also obtain a divorce, although this may affect residency status. If you or someone you know is in a difficult situation, we encourage confidentially contacting us. Our goal is aimed at reducing the escalation of abuse by focusing on early intervention and assistance for individuals who may already be impacted by an abusive relationship.

Elizabeth Legrain
Domestic Abuse Prevention Coordinator, HRSGM