Domestic abuse, 15 seconds to violence

Megan Bushell safe-home 2004. Pictured are Congressman Dennis Moore,
Stacey Mann - Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence,
Sharon Katz- safehome Executive Director, Megan Bushell with Miss
Kansas, and Julie Diekemper. 

In America, a female is beaten down by her intimate partner every 15 seconds according to D.G. Dutton in: Aggression and Violence Throughout the Lifespan. Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications, 1992. pp. 192-221. In addition, domestic violence is likely to contribute to the victim's use of alcohol and/or drugs to deal with the abuse.

According to the American Institute on Domestic Violence, (AIDV), "The health-related costs of rape, physical assault, stalking, and homicide by intimate partners exceed $5.8 billion each year."

At least $4.1 billion of that total go directly to mental health and medical treatment for the victims. Workplace costs amount to $1.8 billion annually. However, money isn't the important issue here. Victim's of domestic violence are the persons needing attention. With domestic violence reports on the rise we need to help as much as we can. Ohio is just one state experiencing a rising domestic abuse rate.

One of the problems evident now are substance abuse treatment facilities unable to cope with the victims of domestic violence because they lack understanding of the needs of survivors, and batterers. If a substance abuse counselor is treating one of these victims, or perpetrators of domestic violence, they normally have little knowledge of their client's particular needs, and would have problems with developing a treatment plan to address the areas of concern needed to deliver effective services.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, (SAMHSA), they also lack the knowledge of "when" to seek help from domestic violence experts. However, SAMHSA is trying to close that gap with TIPs, Treatment Improvement Protocol efforts. Not all substance abuse professionals lack this awareness, but many do. Of course, the same applies to domestic violence experts lacking knowledge of substance abuse related issues, and client needs. SAMHSA is addressing that as well.

The U.S. Justice Department found in 2002 that 61% of batterers, and 36% of victims in domestic violence programs have a substance abuse problem. And in a recent report by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, (NCADV), abused women are 15 times more likey to abuse alcohol, and 9 times more likely to abuse drugs than women who have not been abused.

Victims of domestic violence often turn to alcohol or drugs.
Up to 50% of perps have a substance abuse problem.

The AIDV has gathered chilling statistics about victim abuse.

* 85-95% of victims of domestic violence are female
* Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women
* 500,000 women are stalked by an intimate partner each year
* 1,232 women are murdered each year by an intimate partner
* 5.3 million are abused each year by an intimate partner
* Homicide is the leading cause of death in the workplace for
women
* Women are more likely to be attacked by someone they know, than by a stranger

The United States Department of Justice, Bureau of Statistics indicates that between 2001-2005, 42% of non-fatal intimate partner violence involved alcohol or drugs. That is a pretty high number, and bears out the importance of getting domestic violence, and substance abuse providers to coordinate with each other. At the very least, some type of guidleines, or protocols could be developed to address the gap in treatment that exists to deal with the dual problems of domestic violence, and substance abuse.

My First Day

In 2010 the Violence Against Women Act is due for reauthorization by Congress, so it is important to get as much information, and suggestions out there as possible. Strengthening the Act would seem like a good idea with the amount of victims we have each year in the U.S. Many of these violent acts are probably not even reported, a tragedy in itself.

As we approach the deadline for the reauthorization of the Act, keep in mind that there is never an excuse to revert to violence unless it is in self-defense. Women, do not deserve to be battered, nor do men. The perpetrators using physical, or psychological abuse against their partner, or spouse deserve nothing less in punishment than what the crime calls for. When a person acts like this toward another, they set back evolution a few millennia, and should remind us all that it is a sign of a very weak mind trying desperately to express itself.

Domestic violence and/or substance abuse are 2 more factors compromising the health, and well-being of those unfortunate enough to be on the receiving end of these tragedies. Let's act toward one another with respect, and honesty because all of us deserve no less ithan that in life.  

National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−SAFE (7233) or TTY 1−800−787−3224

If you or a loved one needs help with any type of drug problem, contact these sites depending on where you live. SEMCA (Wayne County residents), CARE (Macomb County residents), PACE (Oakland County residents), Drug Free Detroit (City of Detroit residents).

In the flow...

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(Photos Wikimedia Commons - Public Domain)

 Public Service Announcement on domestic violence

Domestic abuse - 15 seconds to violence by Michael Velardo, aka Crash Test Addict is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.