Domestic Violence Awareness Month

For Immediate Release

OCTOBER IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

Senator Huntley: Say’s look out for yourself and loved ones; help is out there.

State Senator Shirley L. Huntley (D-Jamaica) today noted that in times of economic troubles, domestic violence often increases dramatically. According to a recent report by the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation, 75% of domestic violence shelters reported an increase in women seeking help since this time last year because of the economy nationwide.

The Ripple Effect of the economic crisis has multiplied in ways that many of us could never imagine: banks folding, stock markets diving and an astronomical government bailout. For victims of domestic violence, the impact of this downward economic spiral could be deadly.

Domestic violence programs report that victims experience an increase in abuse in part due to out-of-work abusers. There is more time, as well as opportunity to batter. Rhode Island, for example has recently seen a 25 percent increase in felony-level domestic violence crimes. Victims end up with fewer opportunities to contact programs for help, thus leading to an increase in abuse. Senator Huntley would like to remind her constituents that October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and is also hosting a Victims of Domestic Violence forum:

Thursday, October 29, 2009
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
The Harvest Room
90-14 160th Street
Jamaica, New York 11432

“Help is out there, It is so important that both those who are victims as well as those who are concerned for someone they know maybe abused, to be aware and educated about where they can turn to for assistance,” Senator Huntley said, “We all play a role in ending domestic violence-whether this means seeking help for ourselves or just paying closer attention to the messages that our loved one s or neighbor maybe sending our way.”

Abusers use a variety of tactics to manipulate and exert their power: Dominance, they have to have the power, Humiliation, making the victim feel humiliated and ashamed about what is happening to them. Isolating you, keeping you away from family, friends and generally anyone who may be able to help and/or educate or befriend you. They may also threaten to take away your children. Often, victims of domestic violence are difficult to identify. Warning signs include injuries, absence from work or school, low self-esteem and personality changes.

In October 1987, the United States Congress officially designated October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month after being unofficially observed for several years. The same year marks the initiation of the first National Domestic Violence Hotline www.ndvh.org or (800) 799-SAFE.

To learn more about domestic violence and how to prevent abuse, Senator Huntley encourages people to visit:

• The New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence at www.opdv.state.ny.us or (800) 942-6906
• Safe Horizon – www.safehorizon.org or (212) 577-7700
• The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence – www.ncadv.org or (303) 839-1852