When you think of the perfect home, what comes to mind? Unconditional love, a nurturing environment, a safe and secure place.
Unfortunately, this American dream does not always exist. There is a flip side, a domestic nightmare in which violence occurs with unsettling frequency.
According to the Family Violence Prevention Fund, as many as 4 million American women reported being physically abused by their husbands or boyfriends last year. Of women who are murdered in this country, one-third are killed by their husbands or boyfriends.
In 1999, 6,084 domestic violence-related calls were reported in Ventura County, 2,729 of them involving weapons. And yet, domestic violence is one of the most under-reported crimes.
Women are the victims in 95% of reported domestic violence incidents. For women living in these situations, home is where they are physically, verbally and sexually assaulted. They are beaten down not just by hands but by words. And many people say: "It's a private matter, a family matter. It's none of our business."
They are wrong. Domestic violence is our business. If we remain silent, our silence will breed even more fear and continue creating a community in which abuse is considered acceptable.
During this Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence joins the Ventura County Domestic Violence Task Force, law enforcement and public officials in efforts to educate people about this deadly social epidemic that plagues our mothers, sisters, daughters and friends.
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This campaign reinforces the fact that violence in homes contributes to violence in our streets; therefore, we must take action by educating ourselves and others.
The coalition works with task force members including the Ventura County District Attorney's office and its Victim Services Division, the Family Violence Prevention Coalition, Interface Children Family Services, Point Mugu / Port Hueneme Naval Base Victim Advocates and others. There are also groups, such as the Ventura County Medical Assn. and Partners for Peace, physicians concerned about ending violence. These agencies assist survivors and their families through intervention and prevention efforts.
The business community also contributes by providing information such as safety plans to customers. Marshall's Department Stores, Longs Drug Stores, Total Woman health spa and Camarillo Premium Outlets are distributing the pocket-size cards to customers during October.
