Victims' needs go beyond a month

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, although of course the scourge of domestic violence occurs each month, each day, of the year.

That’s something to keep in mind as attention is paid to Turning Point and other organizations around Indiana and across the nation as they embark on annual fundraising campaigns and present their annual awards. The need continues throughout the year. The work of volunteers and others is needed around the clock and throughout the year.
 
Dr. T. Neil Moore, director of the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, reported the National Coalition against Domestic Violence identifies domestic violence as the “willful intimidation, physical assault, sexual assault or other abusive behavior by an intimate partner or family member against another.” 

Moore said, “While variables such as stress, mental illness and substance abuse may exacerbate domestic violence — they are not the cause.”

Moore added the “decision to batter is often a matter of control and a calculated choice,” resulting in physical injuries, psychological trauma and all too many times death.
 
As in the case of child abuse, the violent acts of domestic abuse are often generational and last a lifetime.

Moore reported that Indiana is making progress but cautioned the problem persists for Hoosier families.

According to the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, from July 1, 2008, through June 30, 2009, 51 people died as a result of domestic violence:

-- 28 females died by acts of violence.

-- 14 males, one of whom was a child, died by intimate partner violence, other family member or by the former husband or boyfriend of a female victim of domestic violence.

-- 1 female committed suicide after killing her husband.

-- And 8 males committed suicide after killing or attempting to kill a wife/girlfriend.

While domestic violence-related deaths are down 27 percent in comparison to the same time last year when 65 deaths were reported, the statistics remain discouraging. And a 2009 report by Mary Kay Inc. offers more disturbing news — 74 percent of domestic violence shelters in the Midwest such as Turning Point have shown an increase in the number of women seeking services since September 2008, possibly the result of the sour economy, loss of jobs and loss of homes.

Among the goals of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month is to bring together advocates and volunteers who work to help the victims of abuse and to encourage victims to report their abuse and to seek help.

If you’d like to become such a volunteer, perhaps you could become a court appointed special advocate to help youthful victims of domestic abuse or perhaps you could volunteer with Turning Point. For information, call CASA at (877) 604-9402 or Turning Point at 523-3472.