October is
Domestic Violence Awareness Month which was first observed in October
1987. It is a crucial time set aside to
raise as well as create awareness, educate the communities around us, and help
stop domestic violence. After 27 years
of creating and raising awareness domestic violence continues to be a silent
epidemic here in America. It is an issue
that should and must be considered and focused on throughout the year not only
in the month of October.
As a
survivor of severe physical domestic violence raising and creating awareness
alongside educating others is not only close to my heart but so desperately needed. Take for instance the ignoring and silence
that recently took place within the NFL when faced with domestic violence
incidents. (Since January 2000, 77 NFL
players were involved in 85 domestic violence incidents.) After the occurrences that took place recently
Commissioner Roger Goodell announced their new policies on domestic violence
validating their pledge to end domestic violence after controversy was created
and people began to question the league.
This blog
post is not about the NFL and the mixed messages they sent in the wake of the
recent situations. It was a perfect
example of how, many people still turn their heads when domestic violence
issues arise. Unfortunately, we cannot
create controversy with every individual who still believes it is not their
business or just remains silent, not doing anything to help the victim, into seeing
the error of their ways. What we can do
is create awareness, educate, and provide statistics so more people realize the
toll domestic violence inflicts onto the victims and how serious the epidemic
truly is in the United States.
The next
time you find yourself in a small group of people, look around you and think of
these statistics:
- One in four
men and one in three women have experienced some form of domestic violence in
their lifetime.
- One in seven
men and one in five women have experienced SEVERE physical domestic violence in
their lifetime.
- Nearly 20
people per minute are victims of physical domestic violence, on average, in the
United States. This equals more than 10
million men and women within one year alone.
- One man and
three women are murdered by their partner every day, on average, in America.
- Nearly three
out of four Americans personally know someone who has been abused by a partner.
Those are
some startling statistics are they not? Now
you know why it is referred to as an epidemic here in the United States. Oh, and part of the reason it is called
silent is because the majority of abuse goes unreported to police officers and
other officials. The other reasons are
due to outsiders not “Speaking Up” and the fact that men are less likely to
report or talk about being abused because they are not taken seriously.
Wondering
how to identify someone being abused?
Well, there are telltale signs and symptoms of domestic violence. Click the link to read them all > WarningSigns! If you
witness any of the warning signs in a family member, friend, neighbor,
co-worker, or acquaintance please take them very seriously! It is so very important to “Speak Up” if you
suspect someone you know is being abused.
Remember that by expressing your concern it will let the other person
know that you care and it might just save his or hers life.
Make sure
that you DO ask if something is wrong, express concern, listen and validate,
offer help, and support his or her's decisions.
But whatever you do, DO NOT wait for them to come to you, judge or
blame, pressure him or her, give advice, and most definitely DO NOT place
conditions on your support.
So for those
who know abuse is occurring but still believe it is not their business and
remain silent, I am here to say it IS everyone’s business! Just think what if it was happening to someone
you loved? Would you remain silent
then? My hope is that you would not keep
quiet and that you would privately talk to your loved one. That you would offer to help and support them
unconditionally while making a plan for their safe escape.
In an
emergency situation where you fear for your life/safety or that of another do
not hesitate to call 911 immediately.
Below is a list of Domestic Violence Hotlines both here in America and internationally
as well.
The National Domestic Violence
Hotline
1-800-799-7233
*They are there to provide
confidential and anonymous support to
victims, friends, and family.
The National Teen Dating Abuse
Hotline1-866-331-9474
American
Domestic Violence Crisis Line (Americans living overseas)
3300 NW 185th #133, Portland, OR 97229
Phone 1-866-879-6636, Website www.866uswomen.org
Domestic
Violence & Incest Resource Centre (Australia)
Website www.dvirc.org.au
Hot Peach
Pages - Worldwide
List of Agencies Against Domestic Violence
Website www.hotpeachpages.net
UNIFEM, United Nations Development for
Women
Website www.unifem.org
Women's
Link Worldwide (Western
Europe and Latin America)
Website www.womenslinkworldwide.org
Statistics and facts for this blog
post came from the following sources:
The National Coalition Against
Domestic Violence
National Network to End Domestic
Violence
HELPGUIDE.org
American Psychological Association
NO MORE
USA Today
Fox News
© 2014 Lysa Wilds
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