When I was in college, I was involved in my school’s Women’s Center and during this time we had a contract with a local Domestic and Sexual Violence organization. From this collaboration, I learned so much about this ongoing issue and its prevalence amongst young people even on college campuses. For the years I was there, we created a cemetery of domestic violence in front of the office to bring attention to victims’ stories and shed light on this issue.
The month of October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and research as recent as 2021, shows 20 people per minute are affected by intimate partner violence in the U.S. alone; there are 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men affected. Also, be aware that children are victims as well, whether it’s from witnessing these events or being abused by their parent/guardian.
In this country, the ethnic group most affected by domestic violence are Blacks, followed by Hispanics, then Whites, and at the bottom Asians. This type of violence ultimately sees no color, but the disproportion between the groups is troubling. Within all groups, women are affected the most and for Black women, due to the issue of racism and discrimination in this country, many do not feel comfortable reporting to law enforcement and are often jailed for violent self-defense even when there is a recorded history. Along with this, there are religious, economic, or cultural reasons, and/or fears of deportation as to why many continue to endure the abuse without reporting.
In the end, just as when I was in college, more awareness is needed in many communities to shed light on the issue. This can be done through organizations and by hearing victims’ stories. Some of this can be done by improving the following:
- Law enforcement: increased engagement on a daily between local officers and the community to improve relationships because there is a history of people seeking help with no results or time when help comes but unnecessary force is used ending the situation violently.
- Religious officials: more acknowledgement from clergy and more support groups/initiatives to create a safe space when seeking help.
- Socioeconomics: more funding for programs that support lower income communities such as food, job programs, and education programs because the daily stress of being low income can increase violent behaviors.
- Cultural influences: more active listening and togetherness as a community to become an ally when a victim is in need instead of turning a blind eye to the violence.
- Politics: local political support to educate community members of there rights especially when non-citizens of the country of afraid to seek help in fear of being deported
So, if you or someone you know is dealing with Domestic Violence, I hope you find a way to seek help and find a good ally to help in the process of getting out of your situation.
National Domestic Violence Hotline 800-799-7233
NYS Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline 800-942-6906 or text 844-997-2121
Safe Horizon 800-621-4673
Childhood Domestic Violence Association
Hear the stories of past and current victims: