Each October, I become obsessed with Halloween, raiding consignment shops and Goodwill for costume elements and accessories. But I also dust off one very special accessory that I wear for all 31 days of the month.
It's a purple ribbon, secured with a safety pin, and it shows my support of October being designated National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Domestic violence is broadly defined as violence against a current or former spouse, boyfriend, girlfriend or romantic partner.
It can also involve sexual assault or rape, among other crimes.The full range of behavior is better explained by the Web site of the National Domestic Violence Hotline: "Abuse is physical, sexual, emotional, economic or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person.
This includes any behaviors that frighten, intimidate, terrorize, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, injure or wound someone."
It may seem that this encompasses a multitude of behaviors, but remember that a healthy relationship should not include any of them.
Estimating just how widespread domestic violence is can be difficult. Statistics can easily be faked and falsified, and many survey respondents don't wish to divulge potentially embarrassing or incendiary facts. It is generally known that domestic violence is statistically consistent across racial and ethnic boundaries, affects people of all ages and occurs with the same frequency in same-sex relationships as in opposite-sex relationships. Most sources I consulted converged around a figure of between 22 and 28 percent of all women being abused at some point in their lives.
One very important aspect of preventing domestic violence is realizing that women are not the only victims. Men can also become victims of domestic violence, and they deserve the same amount of care and aid as any other victims.
Another critical point to clear up is that the victims of domestic violence are not to blame for the abuses they suffer. Time and time again, I have heard people say, "Well, if you're being abused, why wouldn't you just leave your abuser?"
Obviously, it's not that simple, or domestic violence wouldn't have become the epidemic it is. It's not a matter of "just leaving" someone to whom one has been married for many years or with whom one has several children. In some situations, the victim is completely dependent on the perpetrator for financial support and has no means of his or her own to get out of town and start a new life.
But the main reason most victims can't "just leave" is the threat of personal injury and danger - the perpetrators might threaten to kill themselves or the victims if the victims leave. The perpetrator might also mentally abuse the victim into believing that he or she is a worthless human being, with the logic that, "I'm the only one who will ever have you."
This encourages a devastating loss of confidence and self-esteem that keeps otherwise strong individuals from doing what's best.
Domestic violence is an extremely important and complex issue that could affect up to one of every four women during their lifetimes.
A multitude of information is available from the sources listed below, but a Google search on "domestic violence" will yield many more helpful Web sites. Resources are also available at the Counseling Center on the third floor of Lucina Hall.But if you or someone you know is in immediate danger, you should call 911 right away.
It's possible to help prevent this epidemic and make a positive difference.
http://www.endabuse.org
http://healthyminds.org/multimedia/domesticviolence.pdf
http://www.ndvh.org http://www.abanet.org/domviol/home.html
24-hour National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
Write to Marie at mmzatezalo@bsu.edu
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
