Tennessee United for Human Rights Spreads Awareness On Domestic Violence

The Tennessee chapter of United for Human Rights (TNUHR) is planning a dynamic panel discussion on domestic violence in honor of International Peace Day this year.

October is known as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. It all began as a "Day of Unity" in October 1981 with the intent to connect advocates across the nation, who were working to end violence against women and children. The Day of Unity soon became an entire week, and in October 1987, the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month was observed.

How is domestic violence a violation of basic human rights? And what do people need to know to protect their rights and the rights of those they love? These are the questions Tennessee United for Human Rights (TNUHR) intends to answer on September 21^st, to honor International Day of Peace, and to kick off events in Tennessee for Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

TNUHR is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing education and awareness about human rights to everyone. In 2009, United for Human Rights released a video history of human rights which begins with a series of diverse people on the street being asked a simple question—What are human rights? The answers were astonishing. Most people couldn’t name more than one or two of their human rights, and many people didn’t even know how to define human rights. According to the University of Minnesota Human Rights Library, “People who do not know their rights are more vulnerable to having them abused and often lack the language and conceptual framework to effectively advocate for them.”

For this exact reason, TNUHR is holding a panel discussion to educate men and women on the theme, “Know Your Rights and Survive: Overcoming Domestic Violence.” Panel members represent the YWCA’s Weaver Shelter, Metro Nashville Police Department’s Domestic Violence Division, Legal Aide Society, General Sessions Court, and the Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence. The panel will take place on September 21^st at 4:00 pm in the Church of Scientology community hall at 1130 8^th Avenue South. For more information about the event or to find out more about Tennessee United for Human Rights, visit tnuhr.org.