EDITORIAL: More dialogue needed on domestic violence

Published 9:44 am Monday, October 21, 2024

You may have seen splashes of purple dotting the Baldwin County Courthouse Thursday. The color symbolizes support for domestic violence awareness, letting victims of this often silent issue know that they are not alone.

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence:

— Every nine seconds, a woman is assaulted or beaten in the United States.

— An average of 20 people are physically abused by intimate partners every minute in the U.S.

— There are more than 10 million abuse victims across the U.S. annually.

— One in three women and one in four men have been physically abused by an intimate partner.

— One in five women and one in seven men have been severely physically abused by an intimate partner.

— One in seven women and one in 18 men have been stalked. Stalking causes targets to fear they or someone close to them will be harmed or killed.

— On a typical day, domestic violence hotlines nationwide receive approximately 20,800 calls.

— The presence of a gun in a domestic violence situation increases the risk of homicide by 500%.

—Domestic violence accounts for 15% of all violent crime.

— Domestic violence is most common among women between the ages of 18-24.

— Nineteen percent of domestic violence involves a weapon.

— Domestic victimization is correlated with a higher rate of depression and suicidal behavior.

— Only 34% of people who are injured by intimate partners receive medical care for their injuries.

Domestic violence within families is something no one wants to discuss. However, it is a conversation that must take place. The culture needs to be changed and the cycle needs to be broken.

We encourage more public dialogue and more conversations among families, especially children, to make it clear that violence is not a solution to problems in relationships and is never the right way to express frustrations or anger.

Find ways to support efforts for victims of domestic violence — in your neighborhood, through a church, a local nonprofit, on local college campuses or throughout the community. Adults should also be mindful of the signs of teen dating violence and talk to their teens about healthy dating relationships.

And, if you are in an abusive relationship, know that there are solutions and help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800 799-7233, the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673, the National Teen Dating Abuse Hotline at 1-866-331-9474. In Georgia, the 24-Hour statewide hotline is 1-800-33-HAVEN (1-800-334-2836).

Call a friend. Call a loved one. Call someone for help.