The Domestic Prisoners of War Committee (DPoW) of the US section of WILPF is dedicated to highlighting the connections between domestic violence and abuse and war. In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which takes place in October in the US, we want to remind everyone that peace starts at home.

Our committee is survivor-led and survivor-centered. We welcome others who are ready to listen and uplift survivor voices. We have established confidentiality guidelines to protect the identities of survivors, whom we honor in the name of our committee.

Being a survivor of domestic abuse means having been captive to a bully one cannot easily escape—or can only leave with the proper support. Even then, many survivors must cope with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), an experience similar to that of soldiers or civilians affected by war. While many assume partners are reluctant to leave abusive relationships because of financial or emotional dependency, another factor often deters people from leaving: physical danger. Abusers often threaten fatal retribution against partners who attempt to leave, viewing this as a blow to their perceived control. They may also target family members as a form of revenge.

This reality underscores the critical need for shelters and a survivor-centered support network—essentially an Underground Railroad to dismantle domestic enslavement. Helping to build such a network is our North Star. In this sense, we walk in the footsteps of Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, and the anti-lynching feminist Ida B. Wells. Your participation and support are crucial for the success of this effort.

Sadly, domestic abuse is increasingly seen as a norm in our daily lives, extending to all levels of society, including elected office. Bullying has become a pervasive style of exerting power, reflected both in personal interactions and in the conduct of those in authority. Abusers and power-drunk officials often feel they are above the law, believing that everything in the world—including their intended victims—belongs to them, and that they can act however they wish.

A quote often attributed to Pastor Martin Niemoller, a Lutheran theologian who was imprisoned in one of Hitler’s concentration camps, could be revised to address the current situation in the US:

When they came for the migrants and refugees, I was not a migrant or refugee, so I did not speak up.
When they came for diversity, equity, and inclusion, I was not “diverse,” so I did not speak up.
When they came for people living in poverty, I did not consider myself poor, so I did not speak up.
When others were abused, I did not consider myself abused, so I did not speak up.
When tyrants took control of our domestic situations…
When they came for me, there was no one left to speak up for me.

We must not remain silent.

Currently, DPoW is focusing on topics such as parents navigating life after child estrangement, the mental health impacts of bullying on survivors, and how these mental health issues affect physical health. As programs that support health and well-being are eliminated both domestically and globally, we remain dedicated to fostering a dialogue that promotes a mutual understanding of how our core issues affect everyone. We are also considering how best to support survivors still in abusive relationships and identify the safest and most secure paths for them to escape, as well as address the long-term mental health impacts of trauma from both enduring and fleeing abuse.

We invite all WILPF members to view our October presentation (to be shared in November) and to reflect on these topics. We welcome anyone interested in joining our committee, which focuses on survivor-led initiatives concerning domestic violence and abuse. If you would like to join us or share thoughts and suggestions about this article or our focus areas, please email nomoredpows@wilpfus.org.

Peace begins at home.