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Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Nationwide October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

One out of Four females will be a victim of violence sometime in her life.

One out of Four people.

Why is that acceptable? Why are we allowing women to continue to be victimized by someone who claims to love them?

In a single day last year, domestic violence programs served more than 53,000 adults and children in the United States.

On September 27, 2007 the National Census of Domestic Violence Services (NCDVS) collected a national, unduplicated count of adults and children who received life-saving services from domestic violence programs across the United States. During the 24-hour survey period 53,203 adults and children received services, including:

  • more than 16,000 Americans sough refuge in emergency shelters;
  • over 8,600 who lived in transitional housing facilities; and
  • nearly 28,000 who received non-residential services such as counseling, legal advocacy and children's support groups.

In addition, more than 20,000 calls were answered by local, state and national crisis hotlines in that 24 hour period, amounting to more than 14 calls a minutes.

All of these life saving services were provided despite almost 70% of domestic violence programs operating with less than 20 paid staff. Although, there were more than 7,700 requests for services that were unmet because of lack of funding or lack of staff.

The agency I work for participated in this survey last year and again this year. Our numbers for that 24 hour period were up, I suspect when the report comes out in January 2009 we will be seeing a tremendous increase nationwide.

When are we finally going to say enough is enough?

8 comments:

Avitable said...

I'm asking this seriously - what does it mean by "a victim of violence"? Does that mean that they've been physically assaulted by someone they have a relationship with who is reacting with anger, or does it even include when I punch Britt?

Not a Granny said...

Avitable-the 1 out of 4 I refer to is domestic and sexual violence. I guess I should have included those two.

You punching Britt!! Pffttt, can't see that happening. You're too much of a softy!

Mrs. "Smith" said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mrs. "Smith" said...

You sure do ask hard questions. Even after 10+ years, I have no idea why I stayed with my ex for so long. I'm just glad I got out when I did.

Mrs. "Smith" said...

P.S. In my family, it's 4 out of 4...go figure.

Practically Joe said...

Serious stuff.
There is way too much unreasonable violence.
More understanding would help.
Pure love would cure all.
Forty years together and we have never touched each other in anger.
But she does yell at me alot.

Not a Granny said...

mrs "smith"-leaving an abusive relationship is very hard. When we look back we always wonder why.

practically joe-thanks for stopping by. We women do like to yell, don't we!

BlondeBlogger said...

Oh weird...I just left a comment at my friend's blog who survived a physically abusive marriage and has made a new life for herself and her son. It can be done. She is an inspiration. And so are you for posting this!