Beyond the month of October: It was established in October 1981 as a day of solidarity coordinated by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, with purple acting as the designated color.
This global public health crisis will not be fixed since several partners will continue to abuse, and further victims will be reported both before and after October.
Domestic violence is a series of incidents, not a single occurrence. Almost always, what feels wrong is wrong. Domestic violence manifests itself in a variety of ways, ranging from physical to emotional to social to economic abuse.
Domestic violence does not discriminate based on
Gender
Ethnicity
Age
Socio-Economic Status
Sexual Orientation
National Origin; and it occurs at any time of year.
Anyone, regardless of their status or position, can engage in this type of behavior.
Simply put, people in positions of authority have been abused or have engaged in this type of behavior.
The reflection
I’ve been taking part in a three-mile walk in the fall for several years. This is a community event aimed not only at assisting victims of domestic violence, but also at raising awareness about his frequently unseen salient killer; participants include law enforcement officers, advocates, treatment providers, public safety officials, counselors, and other support groups.
During my annual walk, I reflect on the poor victims in poor and developing countries, as well as the many immigrant communities around the world who encounter this problem with little or no support. They may require a safe haven or an outlet to save their lives, and they may be unable to have access to a safe space
I’ve been thinking about this for a few years, and because I have a small following, I wanted to do my small part to dispel some of the myths surrounding it.
The Faces of Domestic Violence, Revictimization, and the Blame Game
Toxic relationships can be difficult to break away from because of extra fear and economic reasons, the involvement of children, and because the abusers are frequently strong and sometimes well-respected members of the community.
Many victims, unfortunately, do not come forward because they are afraid of having to defend themselves in public, especially in this day and age of social media, and of not being believed. As a result, many victims continue to sympathize with the perpetrator.
Furthermore, in many poor and developing facilities, conversations about the case begin with the victim being interrogated, in addition to a lack of adequate resources. As a result, obtaining appropriate intervention or medical assistance becomes more difficult.
Even more concerning sometimes subconsciously some individuals may engage in re-victimization as if the victim deserved it.
What was the source of her or his abuse? ….. Why didn’t she/he just leave?
In other words, it seems that no one ever asked the abuser why it happened, whether in a jail cell, a school, a church, or in the neighborhood.
As a result of this lack of training, many victims and those assigned with their care are sometimes unable to provide a safe environment for the person in need.
This is why the importance of training cannot be overestimated especially for first responders
People who are subjected to abusive treatment, such as being denied medical care or exposed to physical and verbal abuse or threats of violence and intimidation, should know that they bear no responsibility for their plight.
True victims of domestic violence?
Men and women can be victims of this kind of situation, but the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence says that women are more often the victims of this kind of abuse.
Approximately 70-80 percent of occurrences of domestic violence involve men, and if no action is taken, the women are typically slain.
Domestic violence affects anywhere from 25% to 40% of men. However, due to the stigma associated with it, this, as well as the perception of weakness, is frequently overlooked when they seek help.
A total of 50,000 women are murdered by individuals they know and should be able to trust every year; one woman is slain every 14 hours by a partner, ex-spouse, or some dating partner, according to UN statistics.
94% of women who have been raped experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress according to experts.
The following stats were included to offer an indication of this silent epidemic, and these numbers fluctuate frequently, so please check several sources for the most current information.
Data is more than a punch or slap; there are actual socio-economic numbers.
According to several academic international journals, domestic violence accounted for approximately 19% of the total burden of healthcare for women.
Victims who were unable to work cost an estimated 5.1 to $6.8 billion, which equates to approximately 32,000 full-time jobs.
Domestic violence cases are more common than robbery, motor vehicle theft, and burglary. More than half of all police calls are for domestic violence.
Research has also shown that even after the violence stops, victims still use the healthcare system more than others.
Furthermore, children who grow up in households where there is domestic violence are more likely to be abused or neglected than children who do not.
Young adults aged 18 to 30 are 2.41 times more likely to be victims of physical violence. Over three million children are exposed to domestic violence in their homes each year.
Domestic violence has far-reaching consequences that extend beyond the primary victim; it can result in child trafficking as a result of a runaway child fleeing a violent environment.
The UN estimates that around 15 million young girls worldwide become victims.
The objective here is not to merely throw out figures to get you thinking; rather, I want to push your thinking further and encourage you to view it as more than an isolated issue.
Beyond the COVID-19 Mask.
There has been an upsurge specialists say that therapeutic violence instances involving unemployed individuals who are depressed or suffer from other mental health difficulties, and in which ongoing disagreements existed prior to the violence escalating, specialists say.
Regrettase victims lacked a means of escape and were compelled to share space more frequently as a result of the pandemic.
Fear of losing solely financial support, economic status, racial intolerance, and social stratification; many victims remain silent while navigating cultural and legal complexities that further isolate them.
As I have stated, the complexity of power, image, and domestic violence, as well as what is frequently concealed to keep that image safe is a delicate balance for many families.
In many places, even when women wield more clout and influence, this does not always translate into better solutions or increased social consciousness.
Many experts also believe that it makes it difficult for people to speak out in order to protect individuals in positions of authority at times.
Recognition of victims may necessitate a careful balancing act between power and social standing. As a result, some individuals continue to linger in the shadows to maintain social acceptance.
I’ve spoken to some male victims who are afraid of losing everything and breaking the taboo, so they, too, may not have visible scars, but who are often victims of another sort of abuse, and who, in order to keep their tough-guy image, try to minimize the agony.
But for every assault that is caught on video, think how many more are abused today off-camera that social media has not captured, lack assistance, and victims who live in communities with outmoded ideologies
The shadow of a long-held belief and the struggle to break free from it.
This month has brought yet another opportunity to delve deeper into issues such as gender norms, masculinity, and sexuality, all of which can serve as roadblocks to self-observation and exploration.
Women’s roles in society are still seen as property and bearers of their children in some cultures despite increased rights and a growing shift toward gender equity, equality, and even upward mobility into leadership positions for women.
Domestic abuse is still a taboo subject in many countries, especially in what we refer to as “close communities,” or groupings of individuals who share our background, history, and heritage.
Historically, the dehumanization of black women in the kitchen may be traced back to colonialism, which was marred by slavery and still reverberates today
Some men may believe they have the right to rule over women and that females do not have the same rights as males for this very reason.
Even though many people still have psychological problems because of the colonial dark past, the mistreatment of some women can’t just be blamed on that. We need to disprove this idea.
The delicate makeup is still in place.
A lovely sunglass may mask the scars of a violent relationship, which may take the form of a day excursion to the beach, a local store, a church, or a community event.
Many of us, if we are conscious, have seen it: makeup hues, heavy clothing, and while not everyone who dresses in this fashion has been mistreated, as I previously stated, Domestic Violence is a silent killer in many communities.
It is common for people to not report it because they are ashamed, and the person who did it may be someone in the community who is well-liked.
Furthermore, while the victim may wish to project a calm and peaceful image, there is always the fear of the unknown, especially when children are involved.
As well, experts pointed out that, despite the efforts of classes and groups dedicated to domestic abuse awareness, the issue remains hidden in many underdeveloped nations, where poverty and access to resources are still a barrier.
They are understaffed, frequently close abruptly, and offenders frequently require law enforcement cooperation to ensure that they attend treatment programs.
Even when treatment programs are available, dropout rates remain high, and victims will use cultural justifications to excuse their absence.
This is a widespread problem in many of the places I’ve visited, particularly in areas with low resources. These concerns remain unnoticed until a victim case makes headlines.
As I have stated previously in other articles, some leaders, including elected ones, appear solely to assist their next political campaign. They will use these occurrences to demonstrate a high level of selective empathy in order to garner further votes.
While some people may have excellent intentions, if they lack a strategy for assisting the people they harm, I’ll leave that to you to consider.
What if politicians had to wear a few domestic violence victims on their buttons to raise awareness?
No one is immune from violence:
It has been a long and winding journey to today’s society’s acceptance of equality.
However, there are still social, religious, and political groups, however, continue to view lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender partnerships as wicked and morally abhorrent. However, they need support when they are victims of domestic violence
Because of who they are, it is more difficult for someone in these communities to get help for an abusive relationship because they don’t want to be seen as weak.
According to studies, violence and death in the LGBTQ community have been on the rise since 2010, and it’s still going on today because of ignorance and taboo.
In the past, the HIV/AIDS epidemic was a big problem. Even though medical advances made the disease manageable, many communities were able to reduce stigma through more awareness and accountability, and access to healthcare.
For these groups, you don’t need to be a member of the LGBTQ community or a victim in order to support them. I’m a heterosexual dude, and if it feels wrong, it is and it, however, ok to speak up.’
Then there’s the dance: Is it time for a fresh treatment plan?
As I previously stated, this is a reflection of simply sharing some thoughts, using the data, seeing it upfront, and lending a voice
Domestic violence establishes a pattern of psychological barriers to overcoming traumatic experiences, with long-term negative consequences.
The nonintervention mentality must end since a victim may not have a visible scar.
It should not be dependent on where you live to order to receive adequate support, whether you live in Barbados, Boston, or the United Kingdom, or gay person living under a bridge in the Caribbean, Africa, Canada, U.S. South, or Central America
A punch in Australia hurts the victim just as much as a punch in Zimbabwe.
Summers prior to COVID-19 would have seen a plethora of cultural colors gather for celebrations, dancing to the latest Soca, Rhythm and Blues, Jazz, Reggae and Latin rhythms, African Beats, or any other cultural event from around the world, but beneath the surface, who is the next disguised victim?
Despite the spectacular environment, wide-open fields, stunning shorelines, and white sand, not all victims of domestic abuse, especially offenders, recognize a safe location to seek help.
Many of these costumes and one-love vibes beat; someone is suffering as a result of the perpetrator of violence’s illogical judgments.
We must quit denial, recognize and protect victims, and hold abusers accountable for their crimes.
The first step in educating people about the importance of making a course adjustment is for you and your community to take this step together.
It’s important to think about how many stories don’t get told, and how many aren’t able to get a like on social media because they don’t have the resources or the knowledge to do so.
Please use your platform because, while we appear to be closer than ever in terms of social media awareness, we appear to be further apart when it comes to helping one another.
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