Domestic violence victims need community support Domestic violence victims need community support
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and Oklahoma has reason to preach awareness.
Research shows intimate partner violence occurs in one of every six Oklahoma couples. Just recently in eastern Oklahoma, four lives were lost to domestic violence in the form of murder-suicides.
Today’s Sunday Extra gives an in-depth look at the issue and the toll it takes on our communities.
Unfortunately, many women — and women are usually the victims — remain in abusive situations for a variety of reasons, and that’s the reason for October’s campaign. Victims almost always must be persuaded to exit abusive situations, and like with many people who have emotional problems, abusers don’t often look for help. Often the problem is related to or aggravated by drug and alcohol abuse or poverty.
Our community must do everything it can to support domestic abuse victims.
We must provide safe homes for women and children. We must provide counseling for victims and abusers.
We also must recognize that domestic abuse is just one expression of the problem in this country with violence, which invades not only our homes, but our schools, workplaces and streets.
Too many times, people are unable to deal with their problems and differences and resort to violence in frustration or with the mistaken idea that violence provides a valid solution. It doesn’t. It only causes more suffering and pain.
That’s the message we must preach loud and clear.Online
For information about National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, go to www.ncadv.org on the Web.
http://www.muskogeephoenix.com/opinion/local_story_287194152.html?keyword=topstory
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