Anti-domestic abuse effort draws 100

Hill County Public Health Nurses

The Family Violence Stops Here 5K Walk for Awareness was held Saturday at the Saddle Butte RC Model Flying Club and Bill Baltrusch Nature Trail.

Because October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a run/walk was organized to assist in raising awareness about domestic violence-intimate partner violence and the wreckage it causes. The Awareness Walk aided the Domestic Violence program and its shelter by welcoming donations and received an amazing amount. The Havre community once again showed generosity by bringing needed donations such as clothes, diapers, food and more.

In spite of some stiff winds, approximately 100 participants came to show their support. There were contributors of all ages, from 2 months old to 72 years young, men and women alike.

Jessica Kennedy and Wanda Meredith, Hill County public health nurses, teamed up with the program director of the Domestic Violence Program Amber Thompson in hopes that an "awareness walk" will bring light to the domestic violence problem in the area and around the world.

According to national statistics, one in four women will be the victim of domestic violence at some point in their lifetime, and, on average, three women are killed every day at the hands of a current or former intimate partner.

Approximately 15.5 million children are exposed to domestic violence every year and 30-60 percent of perpetrators of intimate partner violence also abuse children in the household. Witnessing violent behavior between caregivers is the strongest risk factor for transmitting violent behavior from one generation to the next.

"We encouraged people to come out, enjoy some physical activity, some sunshine, and learn a little more about the prevalence of domestic violence in our area. Domestic violence not only affects the victim and the victims' family, but the entire community," Kennedy said.

According to the presidential proclamation - National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, 2014, "domestic violence affects every American.  It harms our communities, weakens the foundation of our nation and hurts those we love most. It is an affront to our basic decency and humanity, and it must end.

"During National Domestic Violence Awareness Month," the proclamation continues, "we acknowledge the progress made in reducing these shameful crimes, embrace the basic human right to be free from violence and abuse, and recognize that more work remains until every individual is able to live free from fear. Kennedy said. Today, one out of every 10 teenagers are physically hurt on purpose by someone they are dating."

Young women between the ages of 16 and 24 experience the highest rate of intimate partner violence.

The economic downturn has had devastating effects on local programs working to serve survivors of abuse. While a bad economy does not cause domestic violence, it can make it worse.

At the same time, there are fewer options for survivors to escape. According to the 2012 Mary Kay Truth About Abuse Survey, nearly eight out of 10 domestic violence shelters nationwide reported an increase in women seeking help, while the vast majority experienced decreases in funding. Domestic violence has been estimated to cost employers in the United States $13 billion each year.

Despite tremendous challenges, domestic violence shelters served 70,000 victims in one day alone, according to the latest National Network to End Domestic Violence report. The local domestic violence program has helped 85 individuals with orders of protection, provided emergency assistance through 446 crisis calls, provided shelter for 37 families and have processed 216 new incidents of violence since January 2014.

Throughout October, communities, such as Havre's across the country will mourn for those whose lives were taken by domestic violence, celebrate the tremendous progress victim advocates have made over the years and connect with one another with a true sense of unity to end domestic violence.

"This month, we recognize the survivors and victims of abuse whose courage inspires us all.  We recommit to offering a helping hand to those most in need, and we remind them that they are not alone," the proclamation said

People who are victims of domestic violence can call the local domestic violence crisis line at 406-265-2222 or National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE.