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closeDomestic violence the focus for awareness
October events focus on educating the public that domestic violence is wrong and offenders will be held responsible for actions
Roxanne Cooke
During the month of October, local agencies are reminding the public that perpetrators of domestic violence will be held accountable for their actions.
One in four women and one in 13 men will experience violence at home, said victim advocate Nancy Shattuck, who is also the vice-chair of the Pierce County Commission Against Domestic Violence.
“If you’re not a victim of domestic violence, you probably know somebody who has been,” she said.
During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, local agencies reminds the public that they must be willing to take action against domestic violence, Shattuck said. This could mean talking about it, donating to a local domestic violence agency or learning more about domestic violence and the resources offered by the county.
Local events include proclamations at Puyallup and Sumner city halls, in which the city councils make a commitment to pay for a victim advocate.
“Purple Light Nights,” a fundraising campaign that encourages all Pierce County residents to light their porch with a purple light bulb, is another awareness event in October.
The Pierce County Commission Against Domestic Violence hosted a press conference in Tacoma last Friday to send the message that domestic violence is wrong. Local law enforcement, including Puyallup, Sumner and Bonney Lake, attended and put purple ribbons on their cars in honor of the awareness month.
Shattuck stressed that it’s very important to avoid blaming victims of domestic violence. In relationships one person with abuse will often gain and maintain power over the other and it’s not as easy as it sounds to just leave the situation. In fact, most domestic violence-related homicides occur after a victim has left the situation.
“It’s not just about having a bad relationship,” Shattuck said.
As part of her job, she educates victims and the community with the “Power and Control Wheel” to show what exactly domestic violence is. It comes in all different forms of abuse – not just physical. It can be emotional, sexual, mental and the list goes on.
Though it’s easier to spot physical abuse to a person – such as a black eye – emotional abuse isn’t quite as apparent, Shattuck said. But if a friend or family member is worried about someone who may be in a domestic violence situation, what they should remember is to be positive and realistic.
Tell the victim that it’s not their fault, but the violence is not okay, she said. Let them know it’s only going to get worse, but there is plenty of help available. But don’t expect change overnight, and don’t judge or criticize.
“Be patient and continue to offer support,” Shattuck said.
Friends and family members can feel free to call domestic violence hotlines to obtain resources for a loved one. Before leaving a violent situation, it’s vital to be prepared.
“They have to have a plan,” Shattuck said.
That includes where to go, how to support themselves and what else they can do to be safe.
Resources offered locally include counseling from Good Samaritan and the YWCA. And as a victim advocate, Shattuck helps victims plan for their safety once they leave a violent situation or home.
In Sumner and Bonney Lake, victims can visit city halls and use a domestic violence kiosk to petition for a protection order. The protection order is sent electronically to the Tacoma courthouse, where clerks will hand it to a commissioner for review.
Having a kiosk available locally is important because many victims may have a difficult time taking that first step, especially if it involves a drive from Sumner or Bonney Lake to Tacoma, Shattuck said. This is a way to make the process a little easier.
“It’s saving that first trip into Tacoma,” she said.
The protection order received through the kiosk services is a temporary two-week order, so during that time the victim must attend a hearing to obtain a permanent protection order. Those kiosks are also available in Lakewood, Gig Harbor, University Place, the YWCA and the Crystal Judson Family Justice Center in Tacoma.