October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
#EVERY1KNOWSSOME1
Domestic violence is the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior as part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another. Frequency and severity of domestic violence can vary dramatically, but the constant of domestic violence is one partner’s consistent efforts to maintain power and control over the other.
Domestic violence is prevalent in every community, and affects all people regardless of age, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, or nationality. Physical violence is often accompanied by emotionally abusive and controlling behavior as part of a much larger, systematic pattern of dominance and control. Domestic violence can result in physical injury, psychological trauma, and even death. The devastating consequences of domestic violence can cross generations and last a lifetime.
A few statistics:
- An average of 20 people are physically abused by intimate partners every minute. This equates to more than 10 million abuse victims annually.
- 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have been physically abused by an intimate partner.
- 40.1% of Oklahoma women1 and 37.8% of Oklahoma men experience intimate partner physical violence, intimate partner rape and/or intimate partner stalking in their lifetimes.
- American Indian and Alaska Native women experience assault and domestic violence at much higher rates than women of any other ethnicity.
In the month of September Haven Program had:
- 176 crisis calls
- 77 Open cases
- Provided daily advocacy 797 times
October was first declared as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month in 1989. Since then, October has been a time to acknowledge domestic violence survivors and be a voice for its victims. Look for the HAVEN Program promotions this month including a new billboard on Highway 60, flags at the tribal offices, and special purple treats as we continue to bring awareness to this issue that affects many of our family and friends.
#EVERYONEKNOWSSOME1
https://assets.speakcdn.com/assets/2497/oklahoma-2021101912193518.pdf
https://www.nctsn.org/resources/public-awareness/national-domestic-violence-awareness-month
HAVEN advocates are here to help!
