Most days this blog is dedicated to easy-breezy topics like decorating and recipes. So I guess having “this talk” is a little off my topic and is way more serious than usual. I hope you’ll indulge me, dear reader. I value your time and your thoughts. But those of you who know me, and shop at my store, know that preventing domestic violence and supporting victims is something I am passionate about. It’s that role that got me thinking about today’s topic and a thing that I think you will find to be a surprising fact about domestic violence.
A Surprising Fact About Domestic Violence
I serve on the board of my local domestic violence resource center (see links below) and in this capacity I have learned so many things. One of the most surprising things that I’ve learned about domestic violence is this: domestic violence affects men. In fact, according to The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), “1 in 4 men have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner.” I learned this fact when the director of the DVRCSC approached me about becoming a board member. I was honestly embarrassed that I hadn’t even considered this surprising fact about domestic violence. When people said the term domestic violence, I thought women. And the numbers are staggering there. In Fact, 1 in 3 women experiences domestic violence, in one form or another, in the U.S. Beyond these shocking numbers, I also learned that:
- Men are less likely to report abuse
- Many men don’t recognize certain forms of abuse
- Men fear of what abuse says about their masculinity and that’s a reason for not reporting
- Most communities have less resources for abused men
- Healthcare professionals don’t think to ask about injuries or issues of abuse with men
- Many men fear that if they bring up the abuse, they will be accused of wrongdoing themselves
So What Can You Do?
If you suspect that you, or someone you care about, are the victim of domestic violence call The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233. You can support prevention efforts and victims in Southern Rhode Island at DVRCSC.org. You can also support the cause indirectly through purchases in the charity room at Consignments Ltd.
For more information on the topic of domestic violence, check out my previous blog: Signal For Help From Domestic Violence. Thanks for indulging me, dear reader.
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