In my class, COMM 456, we were asked to research domestic violence for a class project we are working on. My first thought was to get all the statistics on the issue. I learned that domestic violence was also called intimate partner violence, that females between the ages of 16-24 were at the highest risk for abuse and that 1 in 4 women experience violence by a current or former boyfriend or spouse in her life. The more I researched the more I was shocked, there is an estimated 1.3 million women that are victims to intimate assault per year, but it is believed that the number is closer to 5.3 million because most assaults are never reported. In fact only about 25% of all assaults perpetuated by partners are ever reported. In South Carolina alone there were 37 known deaths caused by domestic violence in 2010. I read more storied by these women who are not called victims, but survivors, and I can see why. These brave women got out of their abusive relationships before it was too late. Some were abused mentally, some physically but most both. They found people who could help change their life for the better. I will share a link that I found t be inspiring and courageous.
http://www.heart-2-heart.ca/women/page6.htmA few questions I asked at the meeting with Safe Harbor were 1. What protection do you offer males that are being abused?
The response was all the same things they offer women except the safe house, that is for women and children only. They can refer them to another facility that can give them a safe place to sleep or put them in a hotel.
2. How is it possible to convey a feeling of safety to the women and children there?
The response was there are certain curfew hours that must be kept, when they are expected to return, the location is kept private and there is a fence around the house.
