The Mary Kay Foundation conducts an annual nationwide survey about the status of domestic violence services in the United States, titled “The Truth About Abuse Survey.”
Key findings include:
- Demand is up. Funding, services and prevention efforts are down.
- 8 out of 10 domestic violence shelters nationwide reported an increase in women seeking help.
- 74% of women stayed with an abuser longer for economic reasons.
- 58% of shelters reported that the abuse is more violent now than before the economic downturn.
- 62% of survivors could not find jobs due to the economy.
- 43% of shelters had to decrease services offered.
- 86% of shelters witnessed children with negative social effects such as bullying or withdrawal.
- 87% of shelters predict their situations will be the same or worse next year.
For all the rhetoric coming out of the 1980s about getting tough on crime, we don’t seem to put a lot of social stock in getting tough on intimate partner abusers.
It’s true that self-report studies have their limits. For example, when more than half of shelters report that abuse is more violent now, is there an empirical basis? Or is that something that comes from a skewed perception from all of the criminal justice discussion over the possible effects of the economic downturn on domestic violence shelters?
But even if you set that aside, many of these figures are alarming. Shelters are decreasing services in the face of increased need. And women stay with abusers for economic reasons. That, alone, is cause for concern and even social shame.
Are we really the society that refuses to help women leave their abusers because we won’t provide reasonable access to child care, food, and housing for the abused?
Apparently so. Let’s do better than that.
R elated articles:
- The Poverty of Domestic Violence (inthesetimes.com)
- Domestic Violence and Homelessness (peacemattershere.wordpress.com)
- Interview: Uncovered Artistry Supports Survivor Empowerment Through Entrepreneurship (crimedime.com)
- Restaurant Misses the Point with Rihanna and Chris Black and Bleu Burger Debacle (crimedime.com)
- Neutrality is Not an Option in Violence Against Women Claims (crimedime.com)
Administrator
May 23, 2012
The truth about abuse is that if one person is hurt in a violent relationship, it’s one too many! Statistics and studies do not save lives.
In the last 20 years there has been an emphasis on education and awareness, but not too much has been developed to give victims and service providers new tools. Our laws are meant to be reactive to an abusive situation, not proactive, and that’s where we lose the battle. Victims have to be in control of their safety and many shelter systems are falling down in protecting them, as well as the judicial system. An order of protection is only a piece of paper that won’t stop a bullet.
Susan Murphy Milano’s book, TIME’S UP, lays out detailed, individualized safety planning and the Evidentiary Abuse Affidavit. Before announcing you are leaving a violent relationship is the time to take safety measures and make your plan…then stick to it!
For extensive information refer to the site Document the Abuse.Com http://documenttheabuse.com
Murphy Milano is available for training for law enforcement, first responders, prosecutors, attorneys and service providers. It’s time and money well spent to learn the truth about abuse and take measures to DO something about it.
CrimeCents
May 23, 2012
Thanks for stopping by, Administrator. I think we’ve learned a lot about how to help abuse victims in the last couple of decades, but we lack the political willpower to make it happen. Or, said differently, no one wants to pay for it.
Tending Weeds
May 23, 2012
Abusers have a hold on the system. The system can’t change until victim can speak up, but victim can’t speak up with a faulty system. If you are not abused enough, it’s too minor for consideration. If you didn’t call the police, it’s as if it never happened.
CrimeCents
May 23, 2012
Abusers have a hold on the system because the system lets them get away with it. No one wants to hold an abuser accountable, and the thought of believing and supporting a victim is just so scary to them.
Tending Weeds
May 24, 2012
True. Plus, it costs more to support the victim.
David Woods
May 23, 2012
Reblogged this on ThinnerBlueLine and commented:
Reblogging this in the UK interesting to see how our 2 countries compare in this time of austerity
CrimeCents
May 23, 2012
Thanks for reblogging from CrimeDime.com. Yes, we have much in common. Our VAWA fight is comparable to the serious funding cuts you are facing in the UK.
Barbara Roberts
May 25, 2012
Being aware of how dire things are for victim-survivors and their kids in the American family courts, and the perennial underfunding of domestic violence services worldwide (I’m an Aussie and I hear from UK, US and Aussie survivors, as well as from others sprinkled round the world), I have no trouble believing your report.
Keep up your outrage!
BTW, if any of your readers are Christians, they might like to check out the blog http://cryingoutforjustice.wordpress.com. It’s becoming a lively place where Christians are discussing domestic abuse, supporting each other, feeling more empowered by not feeling so alone, etc.