Domestic Violence Awareness Month
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month – a topic that needs attention as the statistics are staggering. According to the CDC, intimate partner violence affects more than 12 million people per year. More than 1 in 3 women and more than 1 in 4 men in the United States have experienced physical/sexual violence or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime. Every minute in the US, 20 people are victims of domestic violence. According to the World Health Organization, 8,000,000 paid work days are lost every year by women because of the abuse perpetrated against them by current or former male partners. This loss is equivalent to over 32,000 full-time jobs. And 10,000,000 children are exposed to domestic violence annually.
Intimate partner violence is domestic violence by a current or former spouse or partner in an intimate relationship against the other spouse or partner. The violence can take a number of forms including physical, verbal, emotional, economic and sexual abuse. People who are victims of intimate partner violence may be working with you at your job. They may be close family, friends or coworkers. They may be seated next to you at church. They may share carpool responsibilities with you. The person who is a victim of domestic violence may be even be you.
While there can be a lot of shame felt by victims of intimate partner violence, let’s approach it from a practical viewpoint. The incidence of domestic violence is high so logically, you or your coworker or your loved one is not alone if they are a victim. It is happening to others as well. Many people convince themselves that what is happening in their relationship is “not really so bad”, perhaps they are “making too much of it” and try to place the blame on themselves rather than the partner.
There is help for people who are in abusive relationships. If you see yourself or other people in your life in the chart above, reach out for help. Talk to your doctor, pastor, chaplain or human resources professional. Call us here (901-683-5658) at the Methodist Healthcare EAP to talk to a counselor. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit their very comprehensive website at http://www.thehotline.org/.
Local resources include:
Rape Crisis Center (901) 222 4350
Exchange Club Family Center (901) 276-2200
Family Safety Center of Memphis and Shelby County (901) 222-4400
Memphis Area Legal Services (901) 523-8822
Memphis Area Women’s Council (901) 378-3866
Memphis Child Advocacy Center (901) 525-2377
Memphis Police Department Domestic Violence Investigative Unit (901) 636-3741
Shelby County Crime Victims Services (901) 222-3950
Shelby County District Attorney General’s Domestic Violence Unit (901) 222-1485
Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Domestic Violence Unit (901) 222-4400
Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (901) 578-4371
YWCA of Greater Memphis (901) 725-4277
If you are living in an abusive relationship, it is important to remind yourself that abuse is not love, it is about control. The abuse is not about you, it is all about the perpetrator. You are worthy of help and you are worthy of peace and respect. Give one of the resources above a call; talk to a trusted person and call the Methodist Healthcare EAP for free, confidential counseling at 901-683-5658.
Donna DiClementi, LCSW, CEAP is Director of the Methodist Healthcare EAP. Donna received her Master’s degree in Social Work in 1989. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Certified Employee Assistance Professional. Her experience includes EAP, hospital psychiatric and medical social work, crisis services and private practice.