Domestic Violence: an issue that may hit too close to home

PHOENIX- Imagine your sister, your mother, your neighbor and your friend. Now recognize that one in every four women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. Think of your children, your siblings, your nieces and nephews. Understand that an Arizona child will witness a violent incident every 44 minutes. The statistics on domestic violence are often found as a surprise to many being that it is an issue that goes so unnoticed in many communities, explained Lauren Mansene, the Communications Coordinator for the Sojourner Center, a womens shelter in Phoenix. Domestic violence has always had a stigma as an issue that should not be talked about, a taboo subject if you will, she explained. Many people thought that abuse in the home was a private, personal matter and not something to be shared with strangers. Whether spoken of or not, domestic violence is a more prevalent problem than most people care to notice. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence defines it as the willful intimidation, assault, battery, sexual assault and/or abusive behavior perpetrated by an intimate partner against another. Thus, according to Coalition statistics, an estimated 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner annually. Often people believe that domestic violence only happens to those people referring to those who may not have large amounts of money, an education or those that live in a less than ideal area of town, Mansene said. Domestic violence is a respecter of no one. It affects women, children, and men from all walks of life. To many, these situations seem obvious to avoid. People always ask me the question, Why doesnt she just leave? declared Mansene. The truth of the matter is women do leave, often several times but an abuser has control that reaches much further than many people realize. Mansene explained that women stuck in abusive relationships typically attempt to leave seven times before they are out for good. Often times, their abuser will threaten the lives of the womans children or other family members if she were to make an escape. It is important that when she decides to leave that there is a safe place for her to go. If there are no beds available in a shelter, that puts up a huge barrier, acknowledged Mansene. The Sojourner Center aims to give these abused women a safe haven from their tortured home lives. The Center offers 280 beds to women and children and operates a 24-hour crisis hotline ensuring that someone will always be there to listen, answer questions and provide resources for women that are truly in need. When the women and children are in our program we support their goals, whatever they may be, and offer classes and resources to help them achieve those goals, said Mansene. Domestic violence is a widespread issue that can truly affect anyone. For resources and information on how to get help in the Phoenix area, visit www.sojournercenter.org or call 602-244-0997.