October is domestic violence awareness month
It was conceived out of a day of unity led by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) in October 1981 with purple as the official color.
For several years, I have participated in three miles walk/run in support of victims of domestic violence with members of the law enforcement community, advocates, treatment providers and other support groups.
During my annual walk, I frequently think about the victims in poor and developing countries and especially the migrant communities globally.
There are plenty of definitions of domestic violence regardless of the type of relationship.
It is not about a single fight. If it feels wrong, it is!
It is never the victim’s fault.
Before this year’s pandemic [COVID-19] many cultural colors would have emerged in the summer for celebrations, dancing to the latest soca, reggae, and Latin rhythms; but beneath the costumes, and one loves vibes. Someone is hurting from irrational decisions by perpetrators.
Violence Data
Youth and young adults between the ages of 18 and 30 years old are 2.41 times as likely to experience physical violence. More than three million children witness domestic violence in their homes every year. Children who live in homes where there is domestic violence equally suffer abuse or neglect at a higher rate.
According to the National Collation Against Domestic Violence, one woman is killed by a partner, ex-spouse, or some dating partner every 14 hours.
And every 20 minutes an intimate partner abuse someone. Several academic international journals have noticed that domestic violence accounted for about 19 percent of the total burden of healthcare for women age 15-44.
Domestic violence is beyond an immediate victim. There is an established link to domestic violence, and child exploitation trafficking from run-aways where some are forced into marriages and the UN further reported that about 15 million young girls are victims yearly.
The month of October is more than a walk
Despite COVID-19 pandemic that has caused anxiety, and perhaps frustration from the unknown; for many, this month’s focus will be on the raking falling leaves or checking windows and roofs in anticipation of winter. In a few tropical spectacular coastlines; beautiful sunglasses may hide the scar from a violent relationship and thus seen as day at the beach, a corner ship or in church, but talking this walk with me for awareness could deliver a positive and lasting impact
Regrettably, some of these communities that share part of roots, culture, and heritage, domestic violence remains a taboo. Despite the breathtaking backdrop and wide-open fields, beautiful shorelines lines, and white sand, often not all victims recognize a secure place to go for help even for the perpetrators.
Domestic violence tends to mask in the shadows in many of these communities. Experts noted despite a few groups’ interventions; classes tend to stay in the shadow. They lack proper staffing, frequently closed abruptly afterward, and offenders frequently require the cooperation of law enforcement to make sure they attend treatment programs.
Numerous victims still struggle to receive help and especially those who immigrated. Every so often a victim’s immigration status plays a crucial role in pursuing help. The fear of losing purely financial support, being deported coupled with racial intolerance social stratification; many victims stay silent navigating the cultural and legal complexities that cause more isolation.
When treatment programs are available, the dropout rates stay high and victims frequently use cultural reasons as an excuse. The lack of resources choked off by poverty sometimes can be difficult to connect family or victim to programs throughout many Latin American and Caribbean communities according to the experts.
This issue will not stop through the world as many domestic panthers will continue to abuse beyond this October.
The historic struggle
Though society has been modernizing, the challenge is that some perpetrators who carry that 16th-century mentality that some still sees women’s role in society as property; and their roles are in the kitchen and bearer of their children remain an unresolved issue
Scholars have noted not only in the Caribbean but anywhere masculinity tied to European colonization from the 17th through the 19th centuries and where slavery’s tragic period cannot be ignored the dehumanization of black females who were relegated to the kitchen. Today’s struggle for women’s rights and equality, those scars still that lingers for countless women.
This October has provided another chance to look deeper beyond gender-stereotype, masculinity, and sexuality that can hinder self-observation. Even if one chose the colonial tragic past for today’s terrible behavior, it must be debunked and it is merely a minimization.
No one is immune from violence
Domestic violence also takes place same-sex relationships. Men are victims of nearly three million physical assaults each year according to experts.
Violence and death inside the LGBTQ+ community have increased since 2010 and the Caribbean continues today from ignorance and taboo; even by straight offenders who may have their own struggles with homosexual tendencies, as studies have shown.
Though society becoming more accepting, hostility remains in some social, religious, and political groups that nevertheless see lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender relationships as a sin and morally wrong. This identity makes it rather difficult for a victim therein community to seek and get help in an abusive relationship.
Many old laws throughout the Caribbean and other poor and developing regions are outdated and need to represent more current ideological shift that will support all victims and move society forward.
These communities must move from merely seeing the symptoms and not the cause. Though the church is important, dear pastor alone cannot solve these issues. First responders are key to the survival of these victims, and nonintervention because of the lack of a visible scar is problematic.
This violence creates a pattern of a psychological barrier in overcoming traumatic experience that suffers long-term critical consequences. Domestic violence victim continues using the health care system more than others do, and for several years after, the violence has stopped.
I hope to see you at the next walk or run in purple, or even standing under a banner for victims’ rights. Searching for survival, creating awareness to change course, it starts with you and your community.
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