October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Greencastle Mayor Sue Murray signs a proclamation declaring October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month locally. Witnessing the recent signing at City Hall are officials from Putnam County Family Support Services, along with friends and other supporters, including (seated, from left) Lori Shuck, Elizabeth Butts, Mayor Murray and Tammy Page. Standing (from left) are Jena Welker, Natalie Yaipen, Tracy Bridges, Charlie Bridges, Carmen Bridges, Sally Fowler and Matt Welker. (Photo by ERIC BERNSEE)

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Family Support Services' Domestic Violence Program as well as other domestic violence programs all over Indiana and across the country join together to raise awareness about family violence.

Domestic violence is an epidemic that not only affects survivors and their families, it affects an entire community.

Being abused affects a person's mind, body and spirit and has severe emotional ramifications. As human beings, we have a right to live free from fear and threats; however, many do not, including many children who are witnessing the abuse daily. These threats take the form of bruises, black eyes, cuts and scrapes, strangulation, and deaths at the hands of an abuser.

Domestic violence is about one person in a relationship using a pattern of behaviors to control the other person. Abuse is not an accident. Stress, drinking or drug abuse does not cause abuse.

People who abuse others have learned to abuse so they can get what they want. We are all affected by it, too. Domestic violence does not only occur in low-income family households but all socioeconomic classes. Its frequency in rural areas is high. Those abused come in all genders, shapes, sizes, sexual orientations and personality types.

There is a misconception about domestic violence and it is that domestic violence only happens in "big cities." The reality is that it does happen here in Putnam County.

The cycle of violence continues from generation to generation and we need to break it. Domestic violence is a community issue and calls for an urgent response. Though domestic violence is a difficult problem to confront directly, there are many ways that individuals and community groups can involve themselves to help diminish the problem significantly.

Family and community members who are aware of domestic violence happening should not ignore what they know, but rather, must impose negative social consequences on the abuser as a result of the behavior as well as sending a consistent, clear message that domestic violence is not tolerable. Family, neighbors, friends and co-workers of domestic violence victims must be alert to the potential danger and must be supportive of the victim and make appropriate referrals to local social service organizations that can help. In addition, each one of us can have a hand in helping break the cycle of violence by:

* Educating ourselves about domestic violence.

* Through monetary donations or donations of used cell phones to your local domestic violence program.

* Volunteering at a domestic violence shelter or your local domestic violence outreach program.

* Writing your state and national political representatives and asking them to support funding for domestic violence victim service programs.

Family Support Services' invites you to join the effort to combat domestic violence. This is not only a one month awareness issue but an epidemic that occurs in our community every day.

Family Support Services is a not-for-profit agency determined to stop family violence and prevent child abuse and neglect. Please contact PCFSS at 653-4820 to learn more. Your support and involvement is welcomed and appreciated.