Hidden Victims
Over 15 million children in our nation live in homes where there has been at least one incident of domestic violence in the past year, and seven million children live in families where severe partner violence has occurred. Data indicates that 30% to 60% of perpetrators of intimate partner violence also abuse children in the home. Growing up in abusive household can pose a threat to not only the child’s physical health but his mental health as well.
Research indicates that the non-abusive parent is often one the most important protective factors in the lives of children who witness domestic violence. All women, children, and men have the right to live in a safe environment and to conduct their lives without emotional, physical or sexual abuse or the fear of abuse.
Often, one of the greatest concerns for battered women is the affect of living in a violent home environment on children. In some instances, the domestic becomes so severe that women with children leave their homes without a place to go. Research indicates that domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness. In a 2007 report by the United States Conference of Mayors, thirty-nine percent of the city leaders who were surveyed identified domestic violence as a primary cause of homelessness among households with children.
Victims of domestic violence experience difficulty finding housing. There simply are not sufficient beds to house all the battered women and their children seeking shelter. The U.S. Conference of Mayors report indicated that city leaders turn persons experiencing homelessness away from shelters and transitional housing because of lack of capacity all or some of the time. Not only do battered women experience challenges in securing a bed in a shelter, they also often have difficulty securing a safe, decent, affordable apartment.
Domestic violence thrives on apathy. It can be eradicated with an equal amount of conscience, mind, heart, and collective action. How you can help? Advocate for increased funding for domestic violence programs and public housing.
Sources:United States Conference of Mayors. Center for Diseaese Control & Prevention (CDC), National Domestic Violence Hotline, National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. McDonald, Renee, Ernest N. Jouriles, Suhasini Ramisetty-Mikler, et al. 2006. Estimating the Number of American Children Living in Partner-Violent Families; Edelson, J.L. (1999). “The Overlap Between Child Maltreatment and Women Battering.” Violence Against Women. 5:134-154; U.S. Conference of Mayors. 2007. A Status Report on Hunger and Homelessness in America’s Cities: A 23-City Survey. Washington, DC.
Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art
Home Sweet Home?
Not all homes provide a safe haven. For far too many persons violence and danger are their constant companions. Data indicates that domestic violence continues to pose a clear and present danger to the health and well-being of countless persons. Yet, domestic violence is a subject that we, as a society, are reluctant to talk about. As a result, victims often suffer and sometimes die in silence. It is important to know: what constitutes domestic violence, how you can help, and available resources.
What constitutes abuse? Domestic violence is a pattern of assaultive and coercive behaviors, including but not limited to physical, sexual, and psychological attacks, as well as economic coercion, that people use to gain power and control over their intimate partners. Research indicates that domestic violence is common and affects people of all cultures, religions, ages, sexual orientations, educational backgrounds and income levels. Domestic violence is not a private family matter as was once thought but rather a crime against society. Abuse takes many forms.
Abuse comes in several forms and, while some define abuse as a physical attack, it can also be emotional, financial, or sexual. Physically abusive behavior can escalate quickly and have lethal consequences. Emotional abuse is considered a psychological or mental attack on another, including name-calling, destructive criticism, harassment, isolation, intimidation, or humiliation. These emotionally destructive behaviors by the abusive partner can be detrimental to the victim’s mental well-being both in the short-term as well as long-term without counseling. Emotionally abusive relationships can destroy the victim’s self-worth, lead to anxiety and depression, and make the victim feel helpless and alone. No one should have to endure this kind of pain—and the first step to breaking free is recognizing that the relationship is abusive.
Are there other forms of domestic violence? Other forms of domestic violence include but are not limited to financial and sexual abuse. Financial abuse, also known as economic abuse, results from one partner’s attempts to gain and maintain control over their partner’s finances. Taking many forms, financial abuse includes disallowing a partner from obtaining a job, purposely hurting a partner’s credit, limiting access to funds, and demanding that a partner ask for money for every expense. Sexual abuse results from one partner forcing his or her will on the other, often causing physical and psychological harm in the process. When a partner is afraid to say no, he or she suffers from abuse. Once the victim acknowledges the reality of the abusive situation, then she or he can get the much-needed help.
Is this an exhaustive list of the forms of domestic violence? Although lengthy, the aforementioned categories of domestic violence do not comprise all forms abuse. Stalking is another form of emotional abuse. With the rise of technology, many abuse their partner by stalking them with the aid of cell phones, computers, and the Internet, or using technology to monitor a partner’s activity. Research indicates that this type of abuse is especially common among teenagers and young adults. The immigration status of the victim can also afford the abusive partner an opportunity to control the victim. When the abusive partner, often a spouse, holds control over the victim’s immigration papers, threatens to call immigration authorities, or refuses to let his or her partner to learn English, among other things this behavior constitutes abuse. More than ever before, society must guard against domestic abuse in all forms, paying special attention to non-traditional forms of abusive behavior which all too often go overlooked.
How can you help? There are several ways that you can help a person in an abusive relationship. First, you must be a patient and non-judgmental listener. Respect your friend or family member’s decisions. There are many reasons why victims stay in abusive relationships. Secondly, you can encourage him or her to talk to people who can provide help and guidance. Assist your friend in locating a local domestic violence agency that provides counseling and/or shelter. If the person elects to go to the police, court or a lawyer, you can offer to accompany them for moral support. It is important to be mindful that you cannot rescue the person being abused. Although it is difficult to see someone you care about being hurt only the abused person can decide when to take the requisite steps to secure a life free from the violence and turmoil which occurs in an abusive relationship.
Every home should be a sanctuary. For victims of domestic violence, home is a place where
hearts and lives are broken. Family violence spares no one. When a family is in crisis, the partner who is battered and the children who witness the abuse, many of whom are abused themselves, all suffer. Their physical and emotional pain is devastating and can be life long without the support of a domestic violence organization in partnership with community partners such as the police, prosecutors, and family court. These organizations understand the critical need for domestic violence programs and services.
The pervasive problem of domestic violence takes everyone to make it stop. If you suspect that someone you know is being abused, keep in mind that expressing your concern for their health and well-being will let the person know that you care and may even save her or his life.
Sources: National Domestic Violence Hotline. Sanctuary for Families. National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art
TELL CONGRESS NOT TO SHORTCHANGE VICTIMS OF ABUSE
For many women violence and danger are their constant companions. Research indicates that one in four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. Indigent women are more vulnerable. The pervasive problem of domestic violence takes everyone to make it stop. This evening, the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) released an action alert which reminds us that domestic violence can eradicated with an equal amount of conscience, mind, heart, and collective action.
NCADV’s Action Alert recent reads as follows, “On February 14th, President Obama presented to Congress his budget for Fiscal Year 2012. The FY12 budget proposal, which requires congressional approval, provides $3.73 trillion in spending for mandatory and discretionary programs, including an estimated $777 million for the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA), the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) and related programs (Ms. Magazine).
On Tuesday, the House of Representatives began consideration of their own spending measure, HR 1. This bill, also referred to as the Continuing Resolution (CR), primarily provides funding for the current year, Fiscal Year 2011. The major concern surrounding HR 1 is that it is $100 billion less than the president’s FY11 budget proposal submitted to Congress last year, providing the largest budgetary cut in the nation’s history, according to a statement from Appropriations Chairman Harold Rogers (R-KY).
While the prevailing majority party in the House (under Republican leadership) justifies the cuts as fiscally responsible, Democrats in both chambers of Congress and the White House view the Republican approach as haphazard. For example, Democrats argue that reducing spending for vital criminal justice, social service and educational programs is like cutting off the nose to spite the face. Outlook According to reports from Congressional Quarterly on Tuesday, HR 1 does not have any support beyond the House of Representatives, and President Obama has vowed to veto the bill. It is likely that the House will complete work on HR 1 by February 17th. However, the endgame for the Continuing Resolution–which is temporarily funding the government at FY10 levels through March 4th–is not so clear.
Congress will need to pass another extended Continuing Resolution, a consolidated spending bill or a combination of the two by March 4th in order to prevent a government shutdown. Over the next several months, Congress will draft and amend its own spending measure for FY12 using the president’s budget proposal as a blueprint. Congress is required by law to pass an annual budget by September 30th. However, passing the budget by the fall deadline is a rarity. With a divided Congress that has yet to complete work on the current fiscal year budget, the FY12 budget-appropriations process is expected to be a grueling tug-of-war match.
But, with your help, WE CAN preserve VAWA, FVPSA, VOCA and related funding! Join the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) and other similar organizations to take action to honor the countless nameless and faceless victims of intimate partner crime. Take Action Now Through March 4th MEET in district with members of your congressional delegation who sit on the House and Senate Appropriations Committees and tell them not to shortchange victim services.
Your federal elected officials will be home from February 22-25. They need to hear from you about how beneficial VAWA, FVPSA, VOCA and related programs are to the communities they represent. Conversely, they also need to understand the impact that cuts to these programs will have on their communities. Our strength is in our numbers, so bring your friends, colleagues and fellow survivors to your meetings.” For further information, please contact publicpolicy@ncadv.org. Photo credit Microsoft Clip Art
Nichelle Mitchem Poses the Important Question, “Is Every House A Home?”
For many women violence and danger are their constant companions. Despite concerted efforts to eradicate domestic violence, data indicates that intimate partner violence continues to pose a clear and present danger to the health and well-being of countless persons. Social science research indicates that one in four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. Indigent women are more vulnerable.
On average, more than three women a day are murdered by their intimate partners in our country . Annually, women experience an estimated 2 million women injuries resulting from an abusive relationship. Women who are between the ages of 20-24 years old are at the greatest risk of nonfatal intimate partner violence. Research indicates that most incidents of domestic violence are not reported to the police. The dearth of safe, decent, affordable housing causes many poor women to confront the unenviable choice of homelessness or remaining in a home plagued by violence and turmoil resulting from domestic violence.
Over 15 million children in our nation live in homes where there has been at least one incident of domestic violence in the past year, and seven million children live in families where severe partner violence has occurred. Data indicates that 30% to 60% of perpetrators of intimate partner violence also abuse children in the home. Growing up in abusive household can pose a threat to not only the child’s physical health but his mental health as well.
Research indicates that the non-abusive parent is often one the most important protective factors in the lives of children who witness domestic violence. All women, children, and men have the right to live in a safe environment and to conduct their lives without emotional, physical or sexual abuse or the fear of abuse.
Often, one of the greatest concerns for battered women is the affect of living in a violent home environment on children. In some instances, the domestic becomes so severe that women with children leave their homes without a place to go. Research indicates that domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness. In a 2007 report by the United States Conference of Mayors, thirty-nine percent of the city leaders who were surveyed identified domestic violence as a primary cause of homelessness among households with children.
Victims of domestic violence experience difficulty finding housing. There simply are not sufficient beds to house all the battered women and their children seeking shelter. The U.S. Conference of Mayors report indicated that city leaders turn persons experiencing homelessness away from shelters and transitional housing because of lack of capacity all or some of the time. Not only do battered women experience challenges in securing a bed in a shelter, they also often have difficulty securing a safe, decent, affordable apartment.
Domestic violence thrives on apathy. It can be eradicated with an equal amount of conscience, mind, heart, and collective action. How you can help? Advocate for increased funding for domestic violence programs and public housing.
Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art
Nichelle Mitchem Discusses Working to Eradicate Homelessness
Because of the growing prevalence of homelessness in our nation, this post highlights the very necessary work undertaken by Volunteers of America to eradicate homelessness for individuals and families nation wide. An important component of their work is working with the individual or family until they have returned to self-sufficiency. Volunteers of America services for the homeless or persons at risk of homelessness include but are not limited: supportive services, emergency shelter, outreach, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing.
For further information about the services offered by Volunteers of America nation-wide, visit their website at http://voa.org/Get-Help/National-Network-of-Services/Homelessness.aspx.
Photo credit: Microsoft Clip Art
Nichelle Mitchem Teaches You How to Create a Safety Plan Against Domestic Violence
Everyone has a right to be safe. Toward that goal, it is important to create a safety plan. There are many helpful safety planning websites for adult and teenage victims of domestic as well as elder abuse victims. Because October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we will focus on the importance of creating a safety plan for victims of domestic violence in this post. If you are in an abusive relationship, it is particularly important to create a personal safety plan and to share it with others.
Research indicates that if you have been battered in your present relationship, you should understand that you are never safe. Perhaps, you may feel that the abuse has ceased and the relationship is improving because the batterer promised to change. You may even convince yourself that the abuse will end if you are the “perfect” partner. Persons who abuse their partners do not just “stop” the battering behavior. In fact, research indicates that often abusive behavior increases over time. The abusive incidents tend to occur more frequently and the level of violence escalates. As a result, it is critical to create a safety plan.
For further information on the creation of a personal safety plan for victims of domestic violence here is a list of a few very helpful websites: www.safehorizon.org; www.domesticviolence.org; www.thesafespace.org; and www.acadv.org; and www.thorpe.ou.edu.
Photo credit: Microsoft Clip Art
Nichelle Mitchem Teaches You How to Identify an Abusive Person
October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Many of the posts made on this blog will address issues related to breaking the cycles of violence and exposing myths about this phenomenon.
How do I identify an abusive person? Abusers are not easy to spot. There is no ‘typical’ abusive partner. In public, the abusive partner may appear friendly and loving to their partner. Often, abusers engage in abusive conduct behind closed doors. They also try to hide the injuries sustained by the victim by striking in areas which can and often are covered by clothing. Additionally, abusers often seek to cause injuries which will result in significant pain but do not require medical attention.
Is abusive behavior an accident or caused by external factors? Abuse is an intentional act that one person uses in a relationship to control the other. It does not occur because the abusive partner was stressed, drinking, or using drugs. Abusers have learned to engage in abusive conduct in order control the conduct of the victim. The abusive behavior may take one or several forms: physical, sexual, emotional, financial and psychological.
Research indicates that abusers often have low self-esteem. They fail to take responsibility for their actions. Often, abusers blame the victim for causing the abusive conduct. In most cases, men abuse female victims. It is important to note that women can also be abusers and men can be victims. Further, abusive conduct is not confined to heterosexual relationships. Abuse can and does happen in same sex relationships. For further information on domestic violence you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline or visit their website. Other relevant websites include but are not limited to: www.ncdsv.org, www.ncadv.org, www.pcadv.org.
Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art
Nichelle Mitchem Shares the Statistics Behind Domestic Violence
For many women violence and danger are their constant companions. Despite concerted efforts to eradicate domestic violence, data indicates that intimate partner violence continues to pose a clear and present danger to the health and well-being of countless persons. Social science research indicates that one in four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime.[i] Indigent women are more vulnerable.
On average, more than three women a day are murdered by their intimate partners in our country[ii]. Annually, women experience an estimated 2 million women injuries resulting from an abusive relationship.[iii] Women who are between the ages of 20-24 years old are at the greatest risk of nonfatal intimate partner violence.[iv] Research indicates that most incidents of domestic violence are not reported to the police. [v] The dearth of safe, decent, affordable housing causes many poor women to confront the unenviable choice of homelessness or remaining in a home plagued by violence and turmoil resulting from domestic violence.
Victims of domestic violence experience difficulty finding housing. There simply are not sufficient beds to house all the battered women and their children seeking shelter. The U.S. Conference of Mayors report indicated that city leaders turn persons experiencing homelessness away from shelters and transitional housing because of lack of capacity all or some of the time.[vi] Not only do battered women experience challenges in securing a bed in a shelter, they also often have difficulty securing a safe, decent, affordable apartment.
Domestic violence thrives on apathy. It can be eradicated with an equal amount of conscience, mind, heart, and collective action. How you can help? Advocate for increased funding for domestic violence programs and public housing.
[i] Tjaden, Patricia & Thoennes, Nancy, National Institute of Justice and the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, 1993, “Extent, Nature and Consequences of Intimate Partner Violence: Findings from the National Violence Against Women Survey,” (2000).
[ii] U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, Intimate Partner Violence in the United States, December 2006.
[iii] CDC. Adverse Health Conditions & Health Risk: Behaviors Associated with Intimate Partner Violence. 2008. Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report, February 8, 2008.
[iv] U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, Intimate Partner Violence in the United States, December 2006.
[v] Frieze, I.H., Browne, A. (1989). Violence in Marriage. In L.E. Ohlin & M.H. Tonry (eds.) Family Violence, Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.
[vi] U.S. Conference of Mayors. 2007. A Status Report on Hunger and Homelessness in America’s Cities: A 23-City Survey. Washington, DC.
Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art
Nichelle Mitchem Discusses the Importance of Safety in Our Homes, Communities, and Nation
As the month of September is quickly drawing to a close and the month of October is fast approaching, we are reminded that October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). In October 1987, the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month was observed and the first national toll-free hotline was established. In 1989, the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month Commemorative Legislation was passed by the U.S. Congress.
Each year, the DVAM activities held vary but the common themes are: mourning those who have died because of domestic violence, celebrating those who have survived, and connecting those who work to end violence. For information about DVAM activities in your area, you can contact your local domestic violence program.
Domestic violence thrives on apathy. This pervasive public health issue takes everyone to make it stop. Domestic violence can be eradicated with an equal amount of conscience, mind, heart, and collective action. During National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we should commit ourselves to halting violence within our homes, our communities, and our nation.
Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art
Silent Saviors: Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
Many of today’s grandparents have become full-time caregivers for their grandchildren. United States Census 2000 indicates that 4.5 million of our nation’s poorest children reside in grandparent-headed households and that number is escalating rapidly. Data indicates that approximately one-third of these children have no parent present in the home. The number of children in grandparent-headed households has increased 30 percent since 1990.
Research data indicates that in New York, there are 297,239 children living in grandparent-headed households which constitutes 6.3% of all the children in that state. Twenty-eight percent of these grandparents live in households without the children’s parents present. The literature on this phenomenon suggests that there are probably many more children in informal care arrangements residing with their grandparents than the data can capture.
AARP indicates that the majority of grandparents rearing grandchildren are between ages 55 and 64. Approximately 20 to 25 percent are 65 or older. While grandparent-headed families cross all socio-economic levels, these grandparents are more likely to live in poverty than are other grandparents. AARP materials also state that there are eight times more children in grandparent-headed homes than in the foster care system.
Although the phenomenon of grandparents raising grandchildren is neither novel nor new, this emerging social issue is garnering a great deal of national attention due to its impact on the welfare of an ever increasing number of our nation’s children. The rise in the number of grandparent headed households is due to serious family problems. The reasons for the increase in grandparent headed households include but are not limited to: AIDS, abandonment, child abuse and neglect, substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, death, divorce, incarceration, and the parent’s lack of employment.
Caring for their grandchildren can have life altering consequences for the grandparents. Many grandparents have not planned to raise a second family or may be retired and living on a fixed income. Having sufficient income or resources to provide housing, food, clothing, medicine, and school supplies for their grandchildren may be of critical concern. Research indicates that children raised by their grandparents are more likely than children in traditional foster care to live in poverty, to have special health and educational needs, and to lack access to health care.
While grandparents have played a significant role in the lives of their grandchildren for generations, the increasing numbers of grandparents with responsibility for their grandchildren and the rise in social factors necessitating this arrangement have created millions of vulnerable families with unique needs. For further information on the topic of grandparents raising grandchildren or to get help, please call or visit the website of: AARP’s Grandparent Information Center: 202-434-2296; and Generation’s United: 202-289-3979.
Sources: Children’s Defense Fund website, AARP’s Grandparent Information Center website, US Census Bureau, and Generations United website.
Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art
