The internet exploded during the six-week defamation trial of dueling lawsuits between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, and the social-media frenzy continued as the verdict released on June 1, awarding $10.4 million in damages to Depp, and $2 million to Heard. The jury unanimously decided that Heard’s statements about domestic abuse were unsubstantiated and that […]
domestic abuse
Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns
Zornio: Gabby Petito’s tragic death should inspire changes to domestic violence policy
By now, most people have heard the story. A young woman and her fiance were on a cross-country van-life trip. Weeks later, only one of them returned. Following a painstaking search to find Gabrielle (Gabby) Petito, the 22-year-old was confirmed dead by homicide on Tuesday. Her fiancé and “person of interest,” Brian Laundrie, has not […]
Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns
Opinion: The shadow pandemic requires new thinking to help those who need a safe home
As the world has sought safety and protection from the coronavirus pandemic inside our homes, these safe havens are also at the center of domestic violence. Worldwide, the data is alarming with dramatic increases of calls to domestic abuse hotlines surging by 30-55% in places like the United Kingdom, France and Latin America, and across […]
Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns
Opinion: Inaction on unemployment benefits is very bad news for women facing abuse
COVID-19 lockdowns spotlighted the danger facing women around the world who were quarantined with their abusers. Lockdowns have lifted, but now women in the U.S. face the risk of partner abuse born of economic insecurity. With more than one in 10 Americans out of work and CARES unemployment benefits set to expire soon, whether and […]
Posted inOpinion, Write On, Colorado
As we discover protection from the new coronavirus at home, let’s remember those who can’t
While many of us take refuge in our homes, sheltering with family or friends against an unprecedented global health crisis, we must think of those for whom home is a prison rather than a sanctuary. For the homeless population living in shelters as well as survivors of ongoing domestic abuse, social distancing has a devastating […]