PITTSBURGH, Pa. — Chatham University's Pennsylvania Center for Women, Politics, and Public Policy (PCWPPP) has extended the work of its 2007 grant from Verizon Wireless and the Verizon Foundation to issue its 2008 Ready to Matter special report on Domestic Violence Services. The grant is the centerpiece of a multi-faceted partnership that continues to give organizations and agencies statewide valuable tools to fight the ongoing crisis of domestic violence.

The Center used the grant to conduct a statewide study on domestic violence, and the study's results are a part the Center's annual "Ready to Matter" research series that takes a critical look at issues affecting women.

"Our current research was generated by students and faculty working collaboratively from universities across the state," said Allyson Lowe, Ph.D., assistant professor and director — Pennsylvania Center for Women, Politics, and Public Policy. "It was truly women working for women on a crucial issue that is increasingly complex as our Commonwealth's demographics change."

Recent statistics indicate that domestic violence continues to affect thousands of families in Pennsylvania. In 2007, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania recorded 121 deaths due to domestic violence and Allegheny County had the largest number of victim fatalities.

Perhaps the most valuable contribution of the 2008 "Ready to Matter" special issue is that it highlights domestic violence service availability for some of the state's most vulnerable populations," according to Dr. Karla J. Cunningham, Hillman Chair in Politics and the PCWPPP supervisor. "There are innumerable barriers for women who seek safety from their batterers. Those barriers should not include linguistic or physical obstacles. The researchers have provided counties with valuable insights regarding where they are succeeding — or not — in providing services for the entirety of their respective populations. This will hopefully encourage future dialogue and proactive change."

The "Ready to Matter" research series takes a snapshot of critical issues and how they impact women across the commonwealth. Topics include women in politics, economic factors affecting women and the state of women's social autonomy, and domestic violence. The grant from Verizon Wireless and the Verizon Foundation will augment the domestic violence component of this year's report.

Lead researcher, Dr. Debby Rubin observed that as Pennsylvania's population of non-English speaking families grows, there will be increasing demand on shelters for support services. "Services need to be accessible to all women regardless of language or disability and this is an issue shelters can address with direct service provision or may need to access remotely, such as through TTY or translation services."

In addition to the research initiative, Chatham University launched a campus-wide wireless phone collection program at the beginning of the 2007-08 school year. Students are encouraged to drop their no-longer-used wireless phones in donation boxes across campus. The proceeds of the drive will benefit HopeLine.