Dear Editor,
Domestic Violence within Macoupin County is prevalent. It
is destructive and can be both physical and psychological. It can affect anyone
of any age, gender, race, or sexual orientation. It may include behaviors meant
to scare, physically harm, or control a partner. While every relationship is
different – domestic violence generally involves an unequal power dynamic in
which one partner tries to assert control over the other in a variety of ways. The
following statistics are all according to the National Coalition Against
Domestic Violence.
We can see domestic violence inside the home:
through the use and control of household pets. In one study, 85% of survivors
who experienced co-occurring animal abuse reported that the behavior of their
pets had changed. An even higher percentage of survivors who reported partners
had harmed or killed their pet, have also reported their partner for domestic
violence. We can also see an increase usage of firearms within the intimate
partner violence home. A survey of contacts by the National Domestic Violence
Hotline found (of those with access to firearms):
- 10% said their abusers
had fired a gun during an argument.
- 67% believed their
abusers were capable of killing them.
We can see domestic violence inside our schools: as
partner violence is not exclusive to the home. There are many instances of
violence between dating partners that begin in high school. Nearly 1.5 million
high school students in the United States are physically abused by dating
partners every year. Within those relationships, 13.4% of male high school
students report being physically or sexually abused by a dating partner.
We can see domestic violence inside our community:
Macoupin County provides a specific set of needs for those victims and
survivors of domestic violence. There are several complex concerns within a
violent relationship that come to light once action has been taken. Safe
Families sees a few main re-occurring concerns within the county:
- Survivors have fewer financial resources, making them more financially dependent on an abusive partner.
- The lack of rental units or other affordable housing options makes it more difficult for survivors to leave spouses or co-habiting abusers.
The Macoupin County Safe Families program provides support for residents as they journey the emotional endeavors to leave behind domestic violence. As a contributor to that experience, we will be hosting a Domestic Violence Awareness Walk on October 7th on the Carlinville Square. An event shirt will be included with a ticket sale. The online tickets will close 09/29 at 5pm. Tickets will be sold at 9am day-of event at the Safe Families booth. More information about the Awareness Walk can be found on our website at mcphd@mcphd.net. We urge Macoupin County residents to join us and rally against domestic violence together.
Juliet Wooldridge and Lilly Booth
Domestic Violence Advocate Coordinators
Community Health Worker
Macoupin County Safe Families
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