Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Submitted by Gisela Robles

Domestic violence is gaining more coverage in our society today. We hear about it on most news outlets and social media. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence reports, more than one in three women and one in four men will experience rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by the hands of their intimate partner.

The question that most people ask is, “What can I do to help out with this epidemic?” The most effective way to help victims of domestic violence is learning to be an active bystander in your community. Bystander intervention is a vital part of the fight against domestic violence. An engaged bystander will be able to help someone by intervening before, during or after the situation. Many people will hesitate to intervene if they do not know the proper way to handle it. Warning signs that a situation may be abusive is if the person you think is an abuser is acting excessively jealous of his/her partner, insulting or embarrassing his/her partner in public or yelling at or trying to intimidate his/her partner.

How to be an effective bystander. Depending on the situation, it may not always be safe to confront the perpetrator.

Here are some tips on how to be involved at every stage of a situation. When you witness the altercation, simply pretend to ask for directions, or act as if you know the victim and start a conversation. Confront the perpetrator. You can interfere by respectfully telling the harasser that their actions are not OK. Request assistance from others. The more people who can assist you in stopping the situation, the more likely the violence will end. Call in professionals. If the situation is a threat to your safety or the safety of others, it is best to contact law enforcement to assist. The best way to assist someone after the fact is to give them contact information to a local domestic violence shelter to seek safety and resources.

How can you make a difference? With the staggering statistics of domestic violence, we all may know someone who is affected by it. Most of the time, violent situations remain behind closed doors, but if you pay close enough attention, you will see that perpetrators will also act aggressively in public.

It is important to educate yourself on red flags to look for and spread the word in the community about helping. Recognize that domestic violence is a real problem in the community.

Recognize the warning signs of violence or the precursors to abuse.

Speak up about bystander intervention and the importance of helping others.

Do not brush off uncomfortable situations; say or do something.

Throughout the month of October your Family Advocacy Program will be providing ways to safety deliver more information about domestic violence topics and how to connect to protect your YPG family and community. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence and need immediate victim advocacy assistance, please call your YPG domestic violence hotline at 928-287-3361 or victim advocate 928-328-3350. Your YPG Family Advocacy program has many other resources available to promote healthy relationships, healthy families, and resiliency and can be contacted at 928-328-3224 or visited at Bldg. 309 on the Howard Cantonment.