October not only brings candy, tricks, and cute costumes but also Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Just because Domestic Violence Awareness Month happens in October doesn’t mean that the issue goes away once the Halloween costumes go back in your closet. Domestic Violence is a topic that needs to talked about from New Year’s to Christmas Day.
For starters, do you know WHAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS?
- It’s a pattern of behavior used to establish power & control over another person through fear and/or intimation
- DV is also the willful intimation, assault, sexual assault, or other abusive behavior by an intimate partner
Domestic Violence Facts
Crimes are underreported (so we as a community need to stand together and look out for the signs)
Witnessing violence is the strongest risk factor of transmitting violence to the next generation (we need to educate ourselves on how we can help those in need)
Domestic violence does occur in LGBT relationships as well
Male victims experience many of the same psychological reactions as women (this is not a one sided crime)
Warning Signs
- Extreme Jealousy
- Possessiveness
- Bad Temper
- Unpredictable
- Verbally abusive
- Financial control
- Puts downs & humiliates
- Uses violence to solve problems
- Destructive
- “Does the person make you afraid”
Resources (For yourself or a friend)
Police
911
National Domestic Violence Hotline
1 (800)-799-SAFE or visit www.ndvh.org
Equinox
24 Hour Domestic Violence Hotline (518)-432-7865
Equinox offers shelter, counseling, outreach, advocacy, and case management for victims of domestic violence.
CRIME VICTIM and SEXUAL VIOLENCE CENTER
24 hour Hotline: (518) 447 – 7716 or visit http://www.albanycounty.com/cvsvc
Albany County CVSVC provides domestic violence counseling to crime victims.
LGBT Domestic Violence Support Line
(518) 432-4341 [Monday-Friday 9AM to 5PM] or visit http://www.inourvoices.org
Unity House
24-Hour Domestic Violence Hotline (518) 272-2370 Collect calls accepted.
New York State 24-Hour DV Hotline (800) 942-6906 [English] 6908 [Spanish]
Unity House in Troy, NY provides 911 cell phones, counseling, victim assistance programs, shelter, a medical clinic, stalking assistance, teen dating violence awareness/prevention, case management, and community outreach.
On – Campus Resources
Public Safety Emergency Number – (518) 783-2999
Public Safety Non-Emergency – (518) 783-2376
Public Safety Online Anonymous Tip Form
Bowman Center for Women (518) 782-6109
Health Services – (518) 783-2554
Center for Counseling and Student Development – (518) 783-2342
Residential Life – (518) 783-2919
Dean of Students – John Felio – (518) 783-2328
Title IX Coordinator – Michele Paludi – (518) 782-6673
Chaplain’s Office – (518) 783- 2332
What you can do if domestic violence is happening to you…
- Everyone deserves to be safe so if you feel like you might be in a DV relationship then trust your instincts
- Tell someone you trust (any of the resources listed above are good options!)
- Whether it’s with someone you trust or with one of the resources listed above…create a safety plan in order to get to a safe place
Ways to Educate Ourselves & Our Communities On Domestic Violence
Even though October is coming to an end that doesn’t mean that we have to wait for a whole year to pass before we can learn more about domestic violence. Here are a few ways we can educate ourselves and those around us!
Documentaries
Literature
- Tornado Warning: A Memoir of Teen Dating Violence
- Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls
Volunteering
- Unity House, Equinox, hotline volunteer? Donating your time won’t just eduacate you on the topic but it will also help those in need!
The Bowman Center for Women
- Whether you want to find out how you can help the cause or simply feel like you are in need of more information then there is really no better place on campus than the Bowman Center for Women located on the ground floor of New Hall right here at Siena.