So, this month as we look at Domestic Violence in Northwest Arkansas, I thought it was important to share some of the staggering statistics that might just put context to the need for a megaphone.
As you read through these, let me challenge you to continue breathing. This issue is not racist, sexist, or choosy about a specific economic class. Anyone is fair game. And its all staggering.
- 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will be a victim of domestic violence in their lifetime.
- In Northwest Arkansas, the number of victims is estimated to be around 125,000. To
put that number into context, it represents all the residents of
Bentonville, Berryville, Huntsville, and Springdale combined. – stats from Northwest Arkansas Shelter website - “1 in 5 women and nearly 1 in 7 men who ever experienced rape,
physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner, first
experienced some form of intimate partner violence between 11 and 17
years of age.” – stats from Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence study - A victim’s chances of being killed or seriously injured increase by 75% when leaving a violent relationship – stats from Junior League NWA website
- 35% of all emergency room calls are a result of domestic violence – stats from Junior League NWA website
- Domestic violence is the No. 1 cause of loss of employment to women in the United States – stats from Junior League NWA website
Imagine if someone asked you questions….
- every time you went to get in your car
- every time you dressed up, fixed your hair or put make up on to leave the house
- about what you were cooking for dinner and wanted something different
- you browsed and looked for things on the computer – questioned what websites you had been on and what you were doing while you were there
- when you went to hang out with your friends…who are you meeting with? where are you going? What are you doing?
- about covering up the marks on your body left from a violent night
- kept you at home, away from a job, because they didn’t want you interacting with others who would “know”
- sent you to work so they could have your money to spend on things they want
I know, its hard to swallow, right? Keep breathing……..
Things to consider:
- Abuse can take on many different forms – physical, sexual, mental, emotional and financial.
- Victims and survivors need to be heard. Listen to them. Believe them. DON’T blame them. This is not a situation for fault or reasoning. LISTEN.
- According to the Power of Control wheel – the behaviors are a cycle that occurs over and over based on action and response.
- Abuse costs families, communities, and employers.
- Victims/Survivors and witnesses to abuse (children/friends/roommates) are at a higher risk to be an abuser.
- The barriers to restart one’s life can be daunting, emotionally, logistically and financially.
- Like most things, the way to stop is education. Teach yourself what to look for and how to help someone in your life.
This post is part of the #NWArkCares
series by the Northwest Arkansas Bloggers group. To view other posts,
visit the Northwest Arkansas Bloggers Pinterest Board or follow
#NWArkCares through social media.
