WVC hosts rally for domestic violence prevention month


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WEST VALLEY CITY — Social workers say Americans are doing more to help victims report and escape domestic violence. October is Domestic Violence Awareness month and through rallies in cities like Sandy and West Valley, victim advocates are driving home the message to speak up and seek help.

"Everything from basic needs to shelter and security," said Keri Jones, Chief Program Officer for YWCA Utah. "A lot of families come to us with nothing, literally with the clothes on their back."

National statistics show 1 in 4 women are domestic violence victims and 1 in 7 are men. Domestic violence advocates like Jones say there are resources available to help victims and their families escape abuse and seek treatment.

"Whether it be shelter or just someone to talk to or the ability to trust and rely on the police force or other advocates to support you," Jones said. "We intentionally try to create a space that's beautiful and welcoming so that they were moving into a space that felt like home."

Jones said in 2012, the YWCA helped nearly 8,000 domestic violence victims, and more than half of them were children. In fact, Jones said half of her clientele are women under 30 and kids under age five. Those hoping to escape abuse can transition to safe life circumstances by staying at the YWCA from one night to two years.

"Sometimes staying at home in an abusive situation, even based on survival is easier because the unknown is quite scary," said Jones. "If it's just talking to someone, if it's finding support for a police report or legal assistance, if it's coming into shelter, we have all of those things available."

Victim advocates in Sandy are asking their residents to "Find Your Voice" and report domestic violence. In a ceremonious balloon release outside the Sandy police station, volunteers and those who help victims watched the wind carry 298 royal purple balloons into the sky, one of which was black. They represent the domestic violence assaults in Sandy in 2012, one was fatal.

There were also 538 blue and silver pinwheels twirling to represent the number of kids who witnessed violence in their homes.

Sandy Police said they have responded to fewer domestic violence cases this year. However, officers said new laws can help victims and perpetrators get the help they need.

"If we see a criminal act that has occurred, we can take the action, even if the victim wants to not be a victim," said Sgt. John Arnold, Sandy Police Department. "That way we can get the victim into counseling and try to get these actions to stop. And the person committing these acts, get them the help they need as well."


You don't want them to do anything drastic to themselves because it can really affect the people around them and themselves. But as soon as they get the help they need, it gets easier overtime for them.

–Maya Searle


In Utah in 2012, there were 29 domestic violence related deaths, according to the Utah Domestic Violence Council. Of the 29, there were six Domestic Violence Homicides, two Dating Relationship Deaths, nine Cohabitant Homicides, and 10 perpetrator suicides. Between 2010 and 2011, 2,224 women, 45 men, and 1,958 children were sheltered in 16 domestic violence shelters in Utah.

Advocates said many of the victims who don't report abuse are young kids and those who work with them consider it child abuse to allow children to remain in unsafe homes.

"They grow up and start a relationship and someone starts yelling at them, they think 'Oh, that's what it's supposed to be like,' " said Tina Brundage, Victim Advocate, Sandy Police Department. "They don't want to get out of the situation because they don't want have their children be without a parent. But I think that could be just as damaging."

Youth advocates like the Searle sisters, Maya and Beth, said they know kids who have lived with violence in the home, so they're doing their part to make sure kids feel comfortable to report abuse.

"You don't want them to do anything drastic to themselves because it can really affect the people around them and themselves," Maya Searle said. "But as soon as they get the help they need, it gets easier overtime for them."

Advocates also said we men often don't report abuse and suffer in silence as victims of domestic violence and abuse. People who work with them said they're less likely to report abuse than women. But there are resources available for all people who are living with the physical and emotional pain of domestic violence.

Advocates are also working with volunteers and others in the community on projects such as the Purple Purse campaign. It is part of an effort to raise money to help victims and their families receive the help they need.

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