Resources available for survivors of domestic violence
As many as 1 out of every 4 relationships will experience some form of violence
Joce DeWitt
Issue date: 5/13/11 Section: News
- Page 1 of 3 next >
Last week the Corvallis community watched in horror as coverage of double homicide unfolded in the media; a student had murdered his former girlfriend and their 1-year-old son in an episode that exposed the potentially fatal consequences of relationship violence.
Representatives of local resource centers for victims of domestic violence testified to the frequency of abuse in intimate relationships and the support that is available for survivors seeking help.
Women's Center Director Beth Rietveld said news of the murders influenced the community in dramatic ways, including the motivation of resource centers to spread awareness about domestic violence.
"It shatters feelings of safety," Rietveld said. "When something like this happens in the community you think about your own relationship."
Though not a rape or abuse crisis center, The Women's Center provides victims of relationship violence with connections to centers with legal services and psychological counseling.
"Some people think you have to be beaten up to be a survivor of domestic violence," Rietveld said.
According to experts, domestic abuse does not solely imply that the victim has been physically assaulted, but also implies verbal and emotional abuse.
Counseling and Psychological Services, located in Snell Hall, offers multiple ways in which victims can successfully seek support, including Sexual Assault Support Services in which OSU students who have experienced unwanted sexual contact can receive confidential information and counseling.
"We provide a whole range of services, including couple's counseling," CAPS Director Jackie Alvarez said.
Alvarez pointed out several statistics that illustrate the growing problem of domestic abuse, including as many as one out of every four relationships will experience some kind of violence.
Though most relationship violence reported to CAPS does not escalate to the level of homicide, it is not uncommon for them to come across cases in which victims are in grave danger.
Representatives of local resource centers for victims of domestic violence testified to the frequency of abuse in intimate relationships and the support that is available for survivors seeking help.
Women's Center Director Beth Rietveld said news of the murders influenced the community in dramatic ways, including the motivation of resource centers to spread awareness about domestic violence.
"It shatters feelings of safety," Rietveld said. "When something like this happens in the community you think about your own relationship."
Though not a rape or abuse crisis center, The Women's Center provides victims of relationship violence with connections to centers with legal services and psychological counseling.
"Some people think you have to be beaten up to be a survivor of domestic violence," Rietveld said.
According to experts, domestic abuse does not solely imply that the victim has been physically assaulted, but also implies verbal and emotional abuse.
Counseling and Psychological Services, located in Snell Hall, offers multiple ways in which victims can successfully seek support, including Sexual Assault Support Services in which OSU students who have experienced unwanted sexual contact can receive confidential information and counseling.
"We provide a whole range of services, including couple's counseling," CAPS Director Jackie Alvarez said.
Alvarez pointed out several statistics that illustrate the growing problem of domestic abuse, including as many as one out of every four relationships will experience some kind of violence.
Though most relationship violence reported to CAPS does not escalate to the level of homicide, it is not uncommon for them to come across cases in which victims are in grave danger.
According to Alvarez and the Domestic Violence Resource Center, one in four women has already experienced domestic violence in her lifetime.
"One out of every six women and one out of every 33 men will experience attempted or completed rape," Alvarez said. "So one in every six has experienced rape and one of every four has experienced violence; if we do the math we see people aren't experiencing just one."
Toni Ryan, the executive director at the Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence located in Corvallis, attested to the "startling information" on rates of domestic abuse.
"Four thousand calls total were received last year," Ryan said in regards to CARDV's 24-hour hotline. "An important thing for you to know is that from 2003 to 2009 there was an average of 18 murder deaths in Oregon due to domestic violence."
More statistics from the Domestic Violence Resource Center reveal that violence among intimate partners is not exclusive to a certain ethnicity or socioeconomic class. Women of all races are almost equally vulnerable to violence from an intimate partner.
"There is no distinction of class or race of victims, and it's not just women," Rietveld said.
The erroneous stereotype that society imposes on situations of domestic abuse is that they only occur in poor communities.
Alvarez noted, however, that the frequency and severity of violence in reported cases generally increases with higher stress, with homicide being the most severe form of violence.
Domestic abuse is not expected to happen as frequently in an educated population, but in reality "it cuts across communities," Alvarez said.
"At an organization like CARDV, who we're going to hear from are people with fewer resources and no access to money," Ryan said. "Who we see are usually of a lower socioeconomic class but by no means is that indicative of who it happens to."
As one in 10 Oregon women has experienced domestic violence and/or sexual assault in the last five years, OSU students are not exempt from the national and state-wide figures on rape and abuse.
"One out of every six women and one out of every 33 men will experience attempted or completed rape," Alvarez said. "So one in every six has experienced rape and one of every four has experienced violence; if we do the math we see people aren't experiencing just one."
Toni Ryan, the executive director at the Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence located in Corvallis, attested to the "startling information" on rates of domestic abuse.
"Four thousand calls total were received last year," Ryan said in regards to CARDV's 24-hour hotline. "An important thing for you to know is that from 2003 to 2009 there was an average of 18 murder deaths in Oregon due to domestic violence."
More statistics from the Domestic Violence Resource Center reveal that violence among intimate partners is not exclusive to a certain ethnicity or socioeconomic class. Women of all races are almost equally vulnerable to violence from an intimate partner.
"There is no distinction of class or race of victims, and it's not just women," Rietveld said.
The erroneous stereotype that society imposes on situations of domestic abuse is that they only occur in poor communities.
Alvarez noted, however, that the frequency and severity of violence in reported cases generally increases with higher stress, with homicide being the most severe form of violence.
Domestic abuse is not expected to happen as frequently in an educated population, but in reality "it cuts across communities," Alvarez said.
"At an organization like CARDV, who we're going to hear from are people with fewer resources and no access to money," Ryan said. "Who we see are usually of a lower socioeconomic class but by no means is that indicative of who it happens to."
As one in 10 Oregon women has experienced domestic violence and/or sexual assault in the last five years, OSU students are not exempt from the national and state-wide figures on rape and abuse.
Ryan said that national statistics completely apply to local demographics, so there is no reason to believe that OSU would be exempt.
"My bet is that our students aren't too unlike the population at large," Alvarez said.
With the amount of adults and teens that will experience sexual or domestic violence in Linn and Benton Counties this year reaching more than 5,000, CARDV maintains a 24-Hour Hotline, confidential emergency shelter and transportation for survivors of violence.
In collaboration with Willamette Neighborhood Housing Services, CARDV is currently undergoing construction of Permanent Supportive Housing, which will be provided to low-income survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
"It's about that second-level response," Ryan said. "We want to emphasize prevention and partnerships that will bring other services to our location."
The Permanent Supportive Housing, which is not to replace the currently available emergency confidential shelters, will break ground this spring with goals to promote education and long-term self-sufficiency of survivors of violence.
In light of the local tragedy that rattled the entire community, anti-violence resource centers are inclined to alert students of their own relationships.
For students seeking counseling, safety and/or legal action regarding violent relationships, CAPS can be reached on campus at 541-737-2131 as well as CARDV's 24-hour hotline at 800-927-0197.
"There are a lot of resources and people who care. When they are ready, and only when they are ready, there are a number of different access points." Reitveld said. "Healthy relationships are our goal."
Joce DeWitt, staff writer
737-2231 news@dailybarometer.com
"My bet is that our students aren't too unlike the population at large," Alvarez said.
With the amount of adults and teens that will experience sexual or domestic violence in Linn and Benton Counties this year reaching more than 5,000, CARDV maintains a 24-Hour Hotline, confidential emergency shelter and transportation for survivors of violence.
In collaboration with Willamette Neighborhood Housing Services, CARDV is currently undergoing construction of Permanent Supportive Housing, which will be provided to low-income survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
"It's about that second-level response," Ryan said. "We want to emphasize prevention and partnerships that will bring other services to our location."
The Permanent Supportive Housing, which is not to replace the currently available emergency confidential shelters, will break ground this spring with goals to promote education and long-term self-sufficiency of survivors of violence.
In light of the local tragedy that rattled the entire community, anti-violence resource centers are inclined to alert students of their own relationships.
For students seeking counseling, safety and/or legal action regarding violent relationships, CAPS can be reached on campus at 541-737-2131 as well as CARDV's 24-hour hotline at 800-927-0197.
"There are a lot of resources and people who care. When they are ready, and only when they are ready, there are a number of different access points." Reitveld said. "Healthy relationships are our goal."
Joce DeWitt, staff writer
737-2231 news@dailybarometer.com
No comments:
Post a Comment