The movie Precious, based on Sapphire’s novel Push, was recently released into theaters and it deals with a myriad of women’s issues plaguing the film’s protagonist, Precious.  Precious is an illiterate teenager in Harlem who is pregnant with her second child by her father. The abuse does not stop with her father–her mother also sexually and physically abuses Precious. She has to face many issues that are of great concern to us here at GCNova.

In honor of Thanksgiving, GCNova is paying tribute to the millions of young women and children who are living in difficult, dangerous, and sometimes deplorable conditions. As Villanova students, we have a lot to be grateful for. This holiday season, please remember those who are less fortunate than you… like some of the women featured in the following links and stories…

A Danish advocacy group seems to be capitalizing on shock value with their new domestic violence campaign, “Hit the bitch.” The interactive website  allows you to use your computer mouse to virtually slap and hit a woman until she is visibly beaten. Or, you can even connect to the website via webcam and use your own hand. With each hit, your “Gangsta” percentage rises until, at the end, you’re rebuked as a “100% idiot.”

Tonight on 20/20, singing superstar Rihanna finally breaks her silence regarding the domestic abuse incident that occurred in February 2009 with her then boyfriend, singer Chris Brown.  Rihanna will be sitting down with Diane Sawyer and although the incident occurred months ago, this is the first time she has discussed any details of the abuse publicly.  In the interview, Rihanna details quickly falling in love with her best friend and how it spiraled dangerously out of control, turning into an obsession which ultimately led to the very public display of abuse heard around the world.

New York has implemented domestic violence courts that specialize in family issues to improve the treatment of both victims and offenders in domestic violence situations.  The role of the courts is to provide one judge to preside over one family’s different legal needs.  The reasoning for these courts is to provide current and accurate court decisions and meet the needs of families suffering from abuse.  This new court system provides programs to ensure the safety of the victims (wife and children primarily).  It also ensures programs for the offenders to gain treatment and possibly be reunited with their families.