National Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Case Manager, Megan Kee describes the cycle of violence.
Each year, since 1987, October is proclaimed National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Some wonder why – after all these years – we still need to raise awareness about a crime so prevalent and notorious.
Yes, for the most part, we all seem to know that violence is occurring behind closed doors of homes in every corner of our communities and our country. Where we falter, and often fail, is in knowing what we can do personally and collectively to help those families living with the violence and dying at the hands of those they once loved and trusted.
While it’s true – domestic violence is a complex problem with no simple solutions – the fact is there are countless steps we can take in our daily lives to stop a batterer… to support a victim… to save a life.
First though, let’s be clear about what not to do…
· Don’t assume that someone else is helping a battered woman and her children. Chances are no one is. Even if someone is, keep in mind there’s strength in numbers.
· Don’t assume that just because a battered woman doesn’t ask for help, she doesn’t want nor need help. Sometimes in a home where threats and violence are a way of life, fear can cripple and paralyze. She may not be able to reach out for help.
· Don’t assume that safety and justice for a battered woman could ever be possible unless and until we all become part of the coordinated community effort to end domestic violence.
Don’t Wait To Act
It shouldn’t take the deaths of an entire family as the result of domestic homicide/suicide before a neighborhood stops turning a deaf ear to the sounds of violence on their street.
It shouldn’t take a woman being gunned down by her abusive husband on the steps of the church, before a congregation reaches out to those who are battered and holds batters accountable.
It shouldn’t take the murder of a woman before public servants recognize the lethality of domestic violence and enforce the laws that are in place to protect victims and sanction offenders.
It shouldn’t take a woman being pronounced DOA at the hospital before healthcare practitioners stop sending patients home without questioning the origin of injuries or inquiring about their safety.
And it shouldn’t take the stalking and shooting of a battered woman at her job site before employers implement workplace violence safety plans.
Every day, in some way, make it your business to play an active role in your community to end domestic violence. And what better time to begin than now, during National domestic Violence Awareness Month.
If you suspect family members or friends are being battered…
· ASK if they’re safe at home… in need of help.
· TELL them about the free and confidential support services that are available through The Fayette Cares Journey Center hotline at (901) 466-0015.
· SUPPORT them by offering a ride to service agencies or babysitting while they’re accessing help.
· CALL the police if you hear or witness an assault in progress.
· CONTACT The Fayette Cares Journey Center to find out more about what you can do to stop domestic violence.
If you suspect family members or friends are batterers…
· ASK if they know domestic violence is a crime and that they could lose their children, friends, homes and jobs if it doesn’t stop.
· TELL them there are no excuses for abuse and you intend to hold them accountable for their unacceptable behavior.
· SUPPORT their efforts to locate and obtain appropriate batterer intervention treatment.
· CALL the police if you hear or witness an assault in progress.
· CONTACT The Fayette Cares Journey Center to find out more about what you can do to stop domestic violence.
Please know that you hold the power to bring about the social change necessary to enhance the safety and reduce the fear of families living in violent homes.
You hold the power to end domestic violence – one community at a time, one home at a time, one life at a time.
