october: domestic violence awareness month

Be safe.  If you are not safe, reach out.  No one deserves to be abused.

​Facts:

• On average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. During one year, this equates to more than 10 million women and men.1
• 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have been victims of [some form of] physical violence by an intimate partner within their lifetime.1
• 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men have been victims of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime.1
• 1 in 7 women and 1 in 18 men have been stalked by an intimate partner during their lifetime to the point in which they felt very fearful or believed that they or someone close to them would be harmed or killed.1
• On a typical day, there are more than 20,000 phone calls placed to domestic violence hotlines nationwide.9
• The presence of a gun in a domestic violence situation increases the risk of homicide by 500%.10
• Intimate partner violence accounts for 15% of all violent crime.2
• Women between the ages of 18-24 are most commonly abused by an intimate partner.2
• 19% of domestic violence involves a weapon.2
• Domestic victimization is correlated with a higher rate of depression and suicidal behavior.2
• Only 34% of people who are injured by intimate partners receive medical care for their injuries.2

 
Notice the people around you.  If the statistics quoted here from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) are accurate (unfortunately they are, and they have not changed in 20 years), there are people all around you who are or have been victims of intimate partner violence(IPV).  IPV does not discriminate based on socioeconomic status, race, educational level, sexual orientation, gender, or religious background.  The victim or survivor may be you.  Your friend.  Your child's friend.
People should be able to feel safe in their own homes.  Don’t you agree?

It would be great if you can volunteer time or donate money to help in this cause.
What would be even better is if you act:
Call the police if you hear something suspicious or if you see someone being hurt.  Interfering on your own in a violent situation can be dangerous, but you can call the police. 
Help by changing the cultural norms: don’t turn a blind eye, don’t buy into excuses that someone made him or her act violently.  Don’t tolerate this behavior.  Don’t glorify violence in our society.  
To borrow the common quote “if you see something, say something”.  You can be the change you want to see and help stop domestic violence. 
If you suspect family members or friends are being battered ...
GET INVOLVED!
ASK if they are safe at home? Are they in need of help?
TELL them FREE and CONFIDENTIAL counseling, support and shelter are available through the YWCA. SUPPORT them by offering a ride to the shelter or babysitting while they’re accessing help. CALL 911 or the local emergency number immediately if you see or hear someone being hurt.
If you suspect family members or friends are batterers ...
GET INVOLVED!
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. There are programs available through the YWCA.  CALL 911 or the local emergency number immediately if you see or hear someone being hurt.
 
Here on Kauai, we have the YWCA:          http://ywcakauai.org/domestic-violence
24-hour CRISIS hotlines: 
Domestic Violence
808.245.6362
Sexual Assault
808.245.4144

To honor victims and survivors of domestic violence and sex assault, the YWCA hosts a Candlelight Vigil –
“I Can See the Light” – October 18th, 5-7pm at St. Michael’s & All Angels Church.
Childcare provided from 5:45-7pm. For more information call 245-8404 or visit the website.
Emergency Family Violence Shelter Donation Wishlist:
Various Gift Cards: (examples, but not limited to) *Walmart *Kmart *Costco *Longs *Gas Cards 

Statistics quoted are courtesy of the National Coalition on Domestic Violence 
www.ncadv.org
If you click next to the foot notes it will give the link to the source.

Thank you.  Be safe.  If you are not safe, reach out.  No one deserves to be abused.