 |
| Stop Violence Against Women |
So, what is domestic violence?
Domestic violence is the power and control of one partner over another in a dating, marital or live-in relationship. Domestic violence doesn't always begin in physical violence but may initially present itself in a more subtle pattern of coercive behavior to intimidate and destroy the self-esteem of another partner.Who are the victims of domestic violence?
According to the U. S. Department of Justice, 95% of domestic violence victims in America are women, although men may also be victims.How often does domestic violence occur?
According to a National Violence Against Women Survey, 22% of women are physically assaulted by a partner or date during their lifetime and nearly 5.3 million partner victimizations occur each year among U. S. women ages 18 and older, resulting in 2 million injuries and 1,300 deaths.Who are the abusers?
Men who abuse their partners fall into no specific categories and come from all backgrounds, races, religions and walks of life. They be unemployed or highly paid professionals. The abusers may be good providers, upstanding members of their community, and respected members of their church congregation.What are the types of domestic violence?
- Physical Assault
- Sexual Assault
- Psychological Assault
- Attacks Against Property and Pets
Misunderstandings of domestic violence
Domestic violence is not a marital conflict, a lover's quarrel or a private family matter.Domestic violence in the workplace
Domestic violence affects the workplace when an abuser harasses an employee who is on the job, when a victim is absent because of injuries or less productive due to stress, or when violence occurs at the worksite. According to the Family Prevention Fund, homicide is the leading cause of death for women in the workplace.Now that we are more aware of just what domestic violence is and how it affects all of us, what can we do to help prevent domestic violence and bring it under control?
What can every citizen do?
1. Speak out against domestic violence and refuse to accept violence in your own life.2. Learn the facts about domestic violence.
3. Listen to a victim of domestic violence and never be judgmental.
4. Call the police if you witness a domestic violence incident.
5. Make domestic violence a part of your community watch program.
6. Ask your pastor to hold a special service for domestic violence victims and survivors.
7. Encourage your local Parent Teacher's Organization to sponsor a presentation on domestic violence.
8. Put domestic violence on the agenda of your business or professional organization.
9. Write your state senators and let them know your feelings about domestic violence.
10. Support your local domestic violence programs and hold fund raising activities to support the fight against domestic violence.
Help for victims of domestic violence
First of all, you must understand the violence is not your fault even though you probably have been told that many times. If you desire help in a violent relationship it is available and you do not have to continue to live in your current environment.There is a National Coalition Against Domestic Violence and every state has its own coalition, most of whom have a 24-hour hotline for you to call for assistance. If there isn't a domestic violence safe house in your community, there is one very near by. If you will call one of the coalitions, I'm sure they can direct you to the right place.
If you will "Google" - "coalition against domestic violence XX" (substitute your state for the XX), you will find your state's coalition. You must understand that no matter how hard you try, you are not going to change your partner's violent behavior and you can get some protection from him by calling your local police or sheriff's office first. Also, your friends and family do care, but they won't know you need help until you ask them.
Domestic violence prevention
We can all make a difference in the lives of some 4 million women who suffer the devastating affects of domestic violence each year in the United States by simply getting involved. If our combined efforts save only one life, would that have not been worth it?Laws must be established to address domestic violence "specifically" and not just thrown in with all the other "assault" statutes. These laws must mandate strict punishment for domestic violence convictions. When an Order of Protection is violated there must be more punishment than a slap on the hand. The place for any man who abuses his partner is behind bars, period.
Until we stand up in one clear voice and tell our local, state and federal lawmakers that domestic violence will no longer be tolerated in a free society, it will continue and women will still be abused and murdered. We must stop accepting alcohol, stress, or drugs as justification for any man to commit violent acts against his partner.
No woman deserves to be physically, sexually or emotionally abused in her own home and domestic violence, like any other epidemic, must have priority and we must totally understand that it is the abusive partner who is solely responsible for violent behavior. Domestic violence hurts all of us and it must be brought under control.
=================================================================
If you are a business owner and haven't adopted any particular cause or campaign, why not get involved in promoting domestic violence awareness? When businesses work together, great things can happen. The only way we can help stop domestic violence is to talk about it. There is someone in your community who is living in a violent relationship. Please join me on LinkedIn and Google+.--Ken
