VIOLENCE IS . . .
Domestic: when there is physical, sexual and psychological abuse in our homes and relationships.
Domestic violence is both a national and a worldwide crisis. According to a 2000 UNICEF study, 20-50% of the female population of the world will become the victims of domestic violence.
Domestic Violence Against Women and Girls.
— UNICEF: Innocenti Research Centre
Domestic Violence: Some Things You Should Know
When violence spills over into our schools and our streets we are often quick to view it as another isolated incident and not an extension of violence that has a much deeper root cause. And yet we know intuitively and empirically that violence has its beginning in the home. Too many children and adults are victims of domestic violence that can take the form of physical, emotional, psychological and sexual abuse. Too often that abuse escalates into violent acts of assault and even murder.
A recently released report authored by the U.S. Department of Justice: Bureau of Justice Statistics indicated that there were approximately 3.5 million violent crimes committed against family members from 1998 to 2002 and that in total, family violence accounted for as much as 33 percent of all violent crime in that period. (Family Violence Statistics, 2005). As startling as these statistics are every researcher and public health educator involved with this issue speaks confidently that these numbers may only represent the tip of the iceberg. They believe there is strong evidence that the vast majority of domestic violence and abuse cases go unreported, usually because the victim fears retribution or is a child who can not speak for themselves.
Studies show that in 50-70% of cases in which a parent abuses another parent, the children are also physically abused (Bowker et al., 1988) and are more likely to also suffer emotional, cognitive, behavioral and developmental impairments as a result of witnessing this violence in the home. (Jaffe, 1990) There is also mounting evidence that some children (especially boys) who experience domestic violence in their homes grow up to repeat the same behavioral patterns. (Hotaling & Sugarman, 1986).
SEE RED NOW in Action — Click Here.
You Can Make A Difference.
If you would like to help prevent violence please contact us.
A survey published by researchers at Alfred University in New York in 2001 indicated that over 60% of polled school children cited being the victim of or witnessing domestic violence as the reason why children perpetrate gun violence in schools.
— Lethal Violence in Schools: A National Report, Edward Gaugin et al.
A Few Things You Can Do About Domestic Violence
- Listen carefully to a child or an adult who wants to tell you about being a victim of violence at home or at school.
- Educate yourself about the issue, its causes, what's at stake and how you can get involved.
- Learn conflict resolution skills and teach them to children.
- Support women's programs, family shelters and family counseling programs.
- Provide opportunities for men to express themselves and come to grips with the impact of violence on their lives.
- Support legislation that extends support and helpful resources to the victims of domestic violence.
- Volunteer at a family shelter, community center or treatment program for victims and perpetrators of domestic violence.
- Join us at the first annual SeeRedNow Community Conference to be held on the University of Louisville Campus. For more information and to be added to the mailing list contact us here.
