Domestic violence often goes overlooked
Time to focus on improvements
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a national observance designed to create an avenue for community awareness about the issue and to honor women who have been injured or killed as a result of domestic violence. It provides an opportunity to remember the victims of domestic violence and think about what can be done differently, says Rita Smith, media director for the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence in Denver.
There are many ways to increase awareness about domestic violence. The clothesline project is a popular event where victims and/or their family members of domestic violence create T-shirts to hang on a line. Often the T-shirts have a photo of the victim scanned onto them with information about her life and what happened to her or a poem. "It gives a human feel to the damage that is done by violence," says Smith.
Some communities organize walks that bring people together talking about the issues. In addition to raising awareness, these events provide opportunities to distribute information, but educational materials should be tailored to fit the needs of the community, says Smith. They would include resources that are available in the community, what people should do if they know someone who is a victim of domestic violence, and information for victims.
"The best way to get materials is to connect with a shelter in your area. We have material available, but it is more generic and doesn’t have particular local information in it," says Smith. Patient education managers who need local contacts should call the National Coalition office in Denver.
Local information is important because battered women often remain in a violent environment due to lack of resources, according to the coalition. Many have dependent children, are not employed outside the home, and have no access to cash or bank accounts.
Social issues also keep them bound in conditions that are bad for their physical and mental health. For example, some women have become isolated from friends and family members by a jealous possessive abuser. Other women isolate themselves to hide the abuse. Women often rationalize the behavior of the abuser attributing it to stress, alcohol, or other factors.
To escape the violence, women need information about local support services. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence recommends making information available in the following categories:
• Crisis intervention:
— crisis hotlines and emergency residential facilities;
— medical services and transportation networks.
• Emotional support:
— self-help support groups;
— assertiveness training;
— parenting skills courses.
• Advocacy and legal assistance:
— financial support;
— access to custody of children;
— restraining orders;
— public assistance benefits.
• Supportive services.
— housing and safe accommodations;
— child care;
— access to community services.
"Local shelters would know the community, so your event could be tailored to what is currently happening, what kinds of things are working and what is not, and where the resources are outside the actual physical shelter because sometimes other kinds of support systems are needed," says Smith.
For more information about Domestic Violence Awareness Month or domestic violence in general, contact:
• Rita Smith, Media Director, National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 1201 E. Colfax Ave., Suite 385, P.O. Box 18749, Denver, CO 80218. Telephone: (303) 839-1852. Web: www.ncadv.org.
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