We define battering as the use of a range of coercive tactics, including the threat or use of physical and sexual violence, to establish and maintain control over one's intimate partner. In the 1970s, women around the world forced their communities to recognize that male battering of women was a widespread and serious social problem. These activists created women's shelters, advocacy programs, and state and national coalitions in response, with the goal of ending this form of violence against women. While this goal remains our primary concern, MCBW member programs understand that any individual may choose to batter a partner; thus we strive to effectively assist all individuals who are experiencing battering in their heterosexual or homosexual, dating, and intimate relationships.

1. We oppose the use of all forms of violence as a means of control in dating and intimate relationships, and affirm the basic human right of every person to live without fear or the threat of violence throughout the course of one's life.
2. We understand that women have been and are the primary victims of battering as a result of patriarchal cultural values that historically have either expressly sanctioned or implicitly tolerated violence against women.
3. We stand in solidarity with efforts around the world to end all forms of discrimination, exploitation, and violence against women, including prostitution and sexual trafficking.
4. We recognize that forms of oppression based on race, gender, class, ethnicity, nationality, disability, age, religion, and sexual orientation create a climate of supremacy and ownership that facilitates battering and sexual violence.
5. We believe in the strength of diversity, embrace the differences among ourselves and within our communities, and promote the development of leadership in all communities.
6. We undertake prevention efforts to confront and change cultural norms and practices that facilitate violence against women.
7. We promote and encourage the leadership of victim/survivors in guiding our advocacy and social change efforts.
8. We affirm the power of collective and collaborative efforts, in partnership with victim/survivors, to advocate with social systems and institutions in order to end the conditions that facilitate battering.
9. We believe that all women have the right to advocacy that supports their self-determination regarding lifestyles, finances, education, employment, sexual and reproductive matters, and responses to the violence in their lives.
10. We affirm the right of victim/survivors to confidentiality in their communications with advocates and program staff. We also promote the right of victim/survivors to safeguard their confidentiality as they seek protection or support from other agencies in their communities.
11. We seek to respond to the special needs of battered mothers and their children, and encourage efforts that reinforce the mother-child relationship, build on their resiliency and assets, and support their recovery from the trauma of living with a batterer.
12. We believe that itis the community's responsibility to confront perpetrators of battering and hold them accountable for their actions in order to prevent further abuse. We believe in the human potential for change and support community efforts to assist perpetrators who commit to ending abusive and violent behavior.
13. We encourage reflection about our work and thoughtful evaluation of our efforts. We are committed to the ongoing developmetn of innovative strategies and programs to better meet the diverse and emerging needs of survivors.
14. We commit to create a work environment for staff and volunteers that respects diversity, fosters professional growth, encourages critical thinking and initiative, and promotes diligent and effective advocacy efforts.