October 25, 2002

In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, the MGH offered a seminar series to employees, staff and patients called "Cultural Matters," which focused on culturally specific responses to domestic abuse.

Each week throughout the month of October, the Domestic Violence Working Group offered seminars that focused on the response to domestic violence of particular cultural communities, such as the African-American, Asian and Latino communities.

Boston City Counselor Chuck Turner (left) and Trina Jackson from Casa Myrna Vasquez spoke at the Oct. 10 seminar, which focused on the African-American Community. The speakers highlighted the many social factors that African-American women must deal with while coping with a violent partner – including social images, family values and religious beliefs. Turner also addressed some sobering statistics, such as the number-one cause of death of African-American women ages 15 to 34 is homicide at the hands of an intimate partner or ex-partner.

The hospital offers many programs to help MGH employees and patients who are victims of domestic violence. The month of October was an opportunity to highlight some of these resources with the seminars.

MGHers can help support the fight against domestic violence by joining the Domestic Violence Working Group, an interdisciplinary group that discusses and implements strategies to increase awareness of domestic violence throughout the MGH community. For more information, call (617) 724-0054.