There is a nationwide organization called Safe Horizon that may not be familiar to you. They are the nation’s leading victim assistance organization. Their mission is to provide support, prevent violence and promote justice for victims of crime and abuse, their families and communities.
Domestic violence is a blight on the landscape of the United States. In today’s article we will take a look at some proven ways that it can be ended provided by Safe Horizon.
- First among them are domestic violence shelters which have been found to reduce the frequency and intensity of ongoing violence and to decrease depression.
- Second are restraining orders that are likely to decrease the likelihood of repeat abuse.
- Another is legal representation and advocacy which has been shown to decrease the abuse experience.
- Not to be overlooked is economic empowerment to include an understanding of financial matters such as credit scores and managing bank accounts.
In our story about Domestic Violence we got a definition of domestic violence from the Department of Justice which defines Domestic Violence “as a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize, coerce, threaten, blame, hurt, injure or wound someone.” Many people believe that domestic violence is a learned behavior passed down from generation to generation.
Now there’s a new category of domestic violence-cyber abuse which is gaining traction through the use of social media and has become a formidable area of spousal abuse.
In Charleston, West Virginia the local YWCA Provides Support for domestic violence victims by providing shelter, services and programming for victims through the annual “girls night out with a purpose.” Through that activity they have raised more than $1 million to assist in domestic violence programs.
In Louisville, Kentucky law enforcement officers with the Metropolitan Police Department typically get 3600 cases of domestic violence a year and have a new Checklist Of Potential Threats to use for domestic violence cases. The checklist enables them to be more thorough in their investigation.
If you are a domestic abuse victim have some self-defense weapons with you at all times. We recommend Keychain Pepper Sprays or a powerful Stun Device that is also on a keychain. Self-defense weapons will protect you from assault and can disable an assailant long enough for you get away to seek help.
I bet you have your own thoughts on domestic violence. Do you? Have you ever been a victim of domestic violence? We would love to hear from you!