Fri 21 Dec 2007
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Although moving from one city to another may present new opportunities, it also creates an unstable atmosphere where there is an increased risk for domestic violence.
Domestic violence is considered to be an abuse of power between intimate partners, where the victim is controlled, threatened or harmed by the abuser.
“The reason leaving is the most dangerous time is because the abuser feels like he [or] she is losing control. The only way an abuser maintains control is with more violence,” explained Elizabeth Lopez, a case manager
at The Rise.
Domestic violence is considered to be an abuse of power between intimate partners, where the victim is controlled, threatened or harmed by the abuser.
“The reason leaving is the most dangerous time is because the abuser feels like he [or] she is losing control. The only way an abuser maintains control is with more violence,” explained Elizabeth Lopez, a case manager
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Services for victims of domestic violence
The Rise is a transitional living program for women who may need shelter or other protective services. Its mission is to create “a supportive, nonviolent community that provides individuals and families with opportunities to grow and prosper and the power to determine the shape of their own future.”
Because domestic violence is one of the least reported crimes in the United States, men and women must be better educated on what constitutes this type of abuse and what the legal ramifications are for the abusers.
A common myth equates domestic violence with physical violence; however, this is not true. It can also be in the form of emotional, psychological or sexual abuse.
Understanding what resources are available within the community can help victims to cope with these issues and to better understand their legal rights.
Middle Way House, Inc., a local nonprofit organization, offers support to abused women and children. Each year the center provides shelter, child care services, education, 24-hour crisis intervention, legal advocacy and prevention programs to the residents of Monroe County.
According to the organization’s 2006 annual report, it received 215 crisis calls, 370 information/referral calls and 339 requests for shelter. Middle Way House also monitored 1,673 court cases and filed 106 protective orders.
Reports conducted on domestic violence
However, the number of women being abused is estimated to be much higher, which is why the Bloomington Commission on the Status of Women launched an investigative report in 2001.
The commission’s goal was to measure the status of women within the community in regard to social, economic and gender equality. It sought information from various sources such as Middle Way House, the Monroe County Domestic Violence Task Force and the Bloomington Police Department.
Yet it found that information was difficult to obtain, especially when the crimes were classified as some form of victimization.
In the report, the commission documented that there was “no effort in place to gather and analyze data of this kind” and that outside of Middle Way House, the task force has not received reports from the prosecutor’s office or the Bloomington Police Department for over five years.
Although the commission could not find a large amount of data regarding domestic violence, it concluded: “Bloomington may be a community more free of gender-based bias and its manifestations than others in the state and country, but the data collected for this study do not suggest that violence against women and the local response to it are issues the community can ignore.”
For this reason, organizations like Middle Way House participate in community outreach programs.
According to its 2006 annual report, it “made 97 presentations about DV [domestic violence], rape/sexual assault, and/or other issues to 5,594 attendees.”
However, the number of women being abused is estimated to be much higher, which is why the Bloomington Commission on the Status of Women launched an investigative report in 2001.
The commission’s goal was to measure the status of women within the community in regard to social, economic and gender equality. It sought information from various sources such as Middle Way House, the Monroe County Domestic Violence Task Force and the Bloomington Police Department.
Yet it found that information was difficult to obtain, especially when the crimes were classified as some form of victimization.
In the report, the commission documented that there was “no effort in place to gather and analyze data of this kind” and that outside of Middle Way House, the task force has not received reports from the prosecutor’s office or the Bloomington Police Department for over five years.
Although the commission could not find a large amount of data regarding domestic violence, it concluded: “Bloomington may be a community more free of gender-based bias and its manifestations than others in the state and country, but the data collected for this study do not suggest that violence against women and the local response to it are issues the community can ignore.”
For this reason, organizations like Middle Way House participate in community outreach programs.
According to its 2006 annual report, it “made 97 presentations about DV [domestic violence], rape/sexual assault, and/or other issues to 5,594 attendees.”
Domestic violence and the Bloomington community
By providing educational presentations, Middle Way House hopes to empower victims within the community and dispel myths that often deter them from seeking help.
By providing educational presentations, Middle Way House hopes to empower victims within the community and dispel myths that often deter them from seeking help.
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| Danielle Dravet |
| Middle Way House, a nonprofit organization, provides shelter and counseling to victims of domestic violence. |
Because domestic violence is not limited to any one group, outreach services must be able to connect to a wide variety of people from a plethora of different backgrounds.
“It [Bloomington] is a very diverse community. It broadens the range of people that you’re working with,” said Sara Huntington, outreach coordinator for Middle Way House. “We have to make our services accessible, especially for people who aren’t from this country or who don’t speak this language.”
In addition to cultural and language barriers, thousands of new students from around the world come to Bloomington each year. Liz Hannibal, crisis intervention services coordinator for Middle Way House, explained that although students may be aware of domestic violence, they still possess the “it can’t happen to me” mentality.
Huntington agreed. “Every fall is particularly an issue because a lot of people come to Bloomington.”
She went on to explain that perpetrators often prey on college towns where students may be naïve or new to the area. Students are also the group least knowledgeable about services specific to the Bloomington community, which puts them at a greater risk for violence.
Although Middle Way House only provides services to women and children, Huntington reiterated that domestic violence crosses all borders. It is not limited to any one gender, age group, race, income level, sexuality or educational background.
“It [Bloomington] is a very diverse community. It broadens the range of people that you’re working with,” said Sara Huntington, outreach coordinator for Middle Way House. “We have to make our services accessible, especially for people who aren’t from this country or who don’t speak this language.”
In addition to cultural and language barriers, thousands of new students from around the world come to Bloomington each year. Liz Hannibal, crisis intervention services coordinator for Middle Way House, explained that although students may be aware of domestic violence, they still possess the “it can’t happen to me” mentality.
Huntington agreed. “Every fall is particularly an issue because a lot of people come to Bloomington.”
She went on to explain that perpetrators often prey on college towns where students may be naïve or new to the area. Students are also the group least knowledgeable about services specific to the Bloomington community, which puts them at a greater risk for violence.
Although Middle Way House only provides services to women and children, Huntington reiterated that domestic violence crosses all borders. It is not limited to any one gender, age group, race, income level, sexuality or educational background.
National statistics on domestic violence
However, national statistics show that women are five times more likely to be victims of domestic violence than men, according to a report by the Bureau of Justice Statistics.
The same report also found that people with lower annual incomes were more likely to experience domestic violence than those with higher than average incomes.
Yet this could be because higher-income men and women are not reporting the crimes as often because of the resources available to them.
“We tend to see women who don’t have as much money, since women who are capable of making more money don’t need our services as often,” explained Mandi Priest-Redden, child care coordinator for Middle Way House. “They can afford a hotel room or go to a family member’s house. They can afford to move out.”
But many times, victims return home even after seeking shelter and legal assistance. Reasons vary, but many times it has to do with dependence — social, emotional or financial.
“There are high emotional costs for people who are experiencing domestic violence. In fact, the emotional scars are the ones that tend to last the longest,” explained Priest-Redden.
Because domestic violence is a multifaceted problem, it is difficult to pinpoint the origin of the violence.
“In some cases, the violence may be a means to control the other person. In other cases, the violence may be a result of poorly regulated emotions,” explained Dr. Zoe Peterson, a former research fellow of the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University.
Although domestic violence is linked to a number of different factors, researchers agree that it is generational. “Someone who is abusive has probably been treated poorly as a child … [and] not taught good boundaries about communication and relationships,” said Priest-Redden.
Sgt. Jeff Canada of the Bloomington Police Department agreed. He explained that many problems stem from the same families year after year and that substance abuse tends to play a significant role.
“A majority of the time the main factor is alcohol,” said Canada, reflecting on his experience as a police officer.
However, alcohol cannot be blamed for domestic violence; rather, it acts as a catalyst.
“Alcohol and drugs do not cause domestic violence. They might add to it. They may make it easier, but they don’t put the beliefs in their [the abusers’] heads,” explained Huntington.
However, national statistics show that women are five times more likely to be victims of domestic violence than men, according to a report by the Bureau of Justice Statistics.
The same report also found that people with lower annual incomes were more likely to experience domestic violence than those with higher than average incomes.
Yet this could be because higher-income men and women are not reporting the crimes as often because of the resources available to them.
“We tend to see women who don’t have as much money, since women who are capable of making more money don’t need our services as often,” explained Mandi Priest-Redden, child care coordinator for Middle Way House. “They can afford a hotel room or go to a family member’s house. They can afford to move out.”
But many times, victims return home even after seeking shelter and legal assistance. Reasons vary, but many times it has to do with dependence — social, emotional or financial.
“There are high emotional costs for people who are experiencing domestic violence. In fact, the emotional scars are the ones that tend to last the longest,” explained Priest-Redden.
Because domestic violence is a multifaceted problem, it is difficult to pinpoint the origin of the violence.
“In some cases, the violence may be a means to control the other person. In other cases, the violence may be a result of poorly regulated emotions,” explained Dr. Zoe Peterson, a former research fellow of the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University.
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Sgt. Jeff Canada of the Bloomington Police Department agreed. He explained that many problems stem from the same families year after year and that substance abuse tends to play a significant role.
“A majority of the time the main factor is alcohol,” said Canada, reflecting on his experience as a police officer.
However, alcohol cannot be blamed for domestic violence; rather, it acts as a catalyst.
“Alcohol and drugs do not cause domestic violence. They might add to it. They may make it easier, but they don’t put the beliefs in their [the abusers’] heads,” explained Huntington.
Rehabilitation
But this isn’t to say that abusers cannot seek treatment on ways to better control the way they respond to and treat others.
Nonviolent Alternatives Counseling Service is an organization dedicated to helping abusive men and women find ways to better control their emotions while promoting “healthy thinking habits.” Services are available in Franklin, Shelbyville and Lafayette, Ind. The Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence has certified this organization.
There are online quizzes, resources for abusers seeking help and a referral information center found on its Web site. There are additional services that deal with substance abuse as well.
“As a human being, I have to believe in rehabilitation,” explained Priest-Redden. “I have to have faith that we have the capacity to change.”
But this isn’t to say that abusers cannot seek treatment on ways to better control the way they respond to and treat others.
Nonviolent Alternatives Counseling Service is an organization dedicated to helping abusive men and women find ways to better control their emotions while promoting “healthy thinking habits.” Services are available in Franklin, Shelbyville and Lafayette, Ind. The Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence has certified this organization.
There are online quizzes, resources for abusers seeking help and a referral information center found on its Web site. There are additional services that deal with substance abuse as well.
“As a human being, I have to believe in rehabilitation,” explained Priest-Redden. “I have to have faith that we have the capacity to change.”