18 UCW OCTOBER 28 - NOVEMBER 3, 2009
WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM
Stacey T. Hale, Contributing
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No one starts a relationship thinking they will become
a victim of domestic violence, but it happens with alarm-
ing frequency. The FBI reports domestic violence is the
leading cause of injury to women, ages 15 and 44 in the
United States. That's more than car accidents, muggings
and rapes combined! Domestic violence does not discrimi-
nate against gender, race, age or socio-economic status.
Victims of domestic violence need information about
how to stay safe, how to keep their children free from vio-
lence and available options and resources. Each of us has
a role to play in our community to provide support and
assistance to victims. She (or he) may need our help to re-
store a life free from fear in the one place where everyone
should feel safe and secure — at home.
Although domestic violence usually occurs within the
home, it carries over into the workplace in many ways.
Studies have found that domestic violence victims experi-
ence impaired work performance and require more time
off than employees who are not abused. Victims of domes-
tic violence experience a broad range of emotional consequences, including
depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem, all of which can adversely affect
productivity. In addition, 75 percent of domestic violence victims face ha-
rassment from intimate partners while at work. When considering the medi-
cal costs and diminished productivity levels incurred as a result of domes-
tic violence, it is estimated the cost to employers is between $3-5 billion
every year.
One in three Americans has witnessed domestic violence — a verbal or
physical assault. If we are to solve this national tragedy, we must start by
choosing to see the abuse and get involved. We must make it our business
to offer assistance if a friend, co-worker or relative is trapped in an abusive
relationship and doesn't know how to get help.
The National Family Violence Prevention Fund has this
advice for assisting victims of domestic violence:
Help a victim prepare a safety plan.
Ask direct questions, gently. Don't rush into providing
solutions. Listen without judging.
Explain that physical violence and other forms of abuse
in a relationship are never acceptable, at any time.
Explain that domestic violence is a crime, and there is a
way to seek protection through shelters and the justice sys-
tem. Provide information about resources.
If the victim remains in the relationship, continue to be
a friend while at the same time firmly communicating no
one deserves to be in an abusive situation.
Please remember that confidential information and
assistance is available by calling the Fort Bragg Victim
Advocate Hotline, 910-322-3418. Victim Advocates are
on call 24 hours per day, seven day a week. If you would
like more information about domestic violence, how to help
a friend or family member identify and escape an abusive
relationship, the availability of community resources or have other related
questions or concerns, Fort Bragg Family Advocacy can be reached at
910-396-5521.
Other sources of information regarding domestic violence include:
the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence at www.ncadv.org, or
the National Domestic Violence Hotline at www.ndvh.org or 1-800-799-
SAFE (7233); the Family Violence Prevention Fund at www.endabuse.org;
and Military One Source at www.militaryonesource.com or 1-800-342-
9647.
*Some information taken from the
National Family Violence Prevention Fund and
Partnership for Prevention, www.prevent.org.
Domestic Violence Is Everyone's Business
by STACEY T. HALE
