Domestic violence thrives when we are silent; but when we take a stand, support, advocate, educate and work together, we silence domestic violence. Throughout October, National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, join Jewish Family & Children’s Services of Southern Arizona in creating awareness to help end domestic violence.
Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior that includes the use or threat of violence and intimidation for the purpose of gaining power and control over another person. This can happen through the use of physical, psychological, sexual, and economic abuse.
Five facts about domestic violence
- Victims can be of any gender, age, sex, race, culture, religion, education level or employment.
- One in four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime.
- Domestic violence is a leading cause of injury to women aged 15 to 44 in the U.S.
- Children are more likely to be abused and/or neglected in homes where there is domestic abuse happening. Witnessing violence between one’s parents or caretakers is the strongest risk factor of transmitting violent behavior from one generation to the next.
- Nearly one in five teenage girls who have been in a relationship said a boyfriend threatened violence or self-harm if presented with a breakup.
Five ways to help
- If a friend or loved one discloses they are being abused, believe them and say so.
- Learn about local and national resources and refer to:
- Jewish Family & Children’s Services of Southern Arizona. The LEAH Program offers individual support and group support services for Jewish victims of domestic abuse and non-secular counseling and trauma services for all individuals in need. Contact: 520-795-0300; https://jfcstucson.org/
- EMERGE! Center Against Domestic Abuse. Local: 520- 795-4266 and Toll Free: 1-888-428-0101; http://www.emergecenter.org/
- The National Domestic Violence Hotline for 24-hour assistance. 1-800-799-SAFE; http://www.thehotline.org/
- Raise awareness: Support education initiatives and events that help raise money for community-based domestic violence programs.
- Support a safe workplace environment. Support and help put policies in place that assist victims in obtaining information, resources, services and legal remedies.
- Recognize that teaching peace and healthy relationships begins at home. Teach your children and grandchildren healthy communication, respect and to reject violence, especially in the face of peer and social pressure. Encourage boys to be nurturing and girls to be strong. Help children develop knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs that lead to healthy relationships.
References
“Violence Against Women, A Majority Staff Report,” Committee on the Judiciary, United States Senate, 102nd Congress, October 1992, p.3.);
JCADA (Jewish Coalition Against Domestic Abuse)
CORA (Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse). General Statistics on Domestic Violence. http://www.corasupport.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/dv-statistics.pdf
Break the Cycle, http://www.breakthecycle.org/
Safe Horizon. Domestic Violence: Statistics & Facts. http://www.safehorizon.org/page/domestic-violence-statistics–facts-52.html
Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence, http://www.dcadv.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/15-Ways-You-Can-Help-Stop-DV-102109.pdf
