Written by Nicole Willner, Chief Operations Officer.
October is Domestic Abuse Awareness Month
Since 1989, October has been established as National Domestic Awareness Month. It is a time to acknowledge domestic violence survivors and be a voice for its victims. Domestic violence is prevalent in every community, and affects all people regardless of age, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, or nationality. Physical violence is often accompanied by emotionally abusive and controlling behavior as part of a much larger, systematic pattern of dominance and control. Domestic violence can result in physical injury, psychological trauma, and even death. The devastating consequences of domestic violence can cross generations and last a lifetime.
Approximately 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men in the United States have experienced rape, physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
Despite adverse mental health consequences associated with Domestic Violence, the mental health needs of survivors often go unmet. Lack of universal screening, stigma, and fear of retaliation by intimate partners may prevent survivors from disclosing their situations to mental health providers. Survivors often have immediate needs for safety and resources to improve their ability to cope, establish independence from their abusive partners, and engage in treatment.
CBHS IPA is a network of Behavioral Health Providers in the Hudson Valley with array of Mental Health, Substance Use, Physical Health, and Social Determinants of Health related service and supports available to individuals and families throughout the Hudson Valley.
Family Services, Inc., one of the CBHS network agencies located in Poughkeepsie, NY, will be hosting a “Walk A Mile” event on October 23, 2021, to shine a light on domestic violence and sexual assault. If you are interested in participating in this event, please go to https://familyservicesny.org/events/wam2021/ to obtain additional information.
Other things that can be done to Raise Awareness include the following:
1. Share Resources (NYS Resources shared below).
2. Attend a Candlelight Vigil and/or wear purple on Purple Thursday (10/21/21).
3. Don’t Judge, Just Listen
4. Get Educated
5. Support a Local Domestic Violence Agency
Resources include:
· New York State Domestic Violence 24 Hour Hotline (English & Español/Multi-language accessibility): 1-800-942-6906 or 711 for Deaf or Hard of Hearing
· New York State Chat/Text Hotline:
Text: 844-997-2121
Chat: https://opdv.ny.gov/chat.html
· National Domestic Violence 24 Hour Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY)
· National Deaf Hotline Videophone: 9am-5pm M-F 1-855-812-1001 or deafhelp@thehotline.org
· NYS Domestic Violence Program Directory:
https://www.nyscadv.org/find-help/program-directory.html
References:
https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/cultural-competency/education/intimate-partner-violence