October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and Becky Lee of Richmondâs YWCA presents information about the signs of domestic violence, services the YWCA can offer to victims, and the importance of public awareness -- so that friends and neighbors are ready to help instead of âblaming the victim.â A core aim of the YWCA is to empower of women, and domestic and sexual violence services seek to do just that. They offer a 24-hour hotline, safehousing (and some financial assistance), case management, counseling (both individual and group), and hospital accompaniment for victims. The situation of abuse is complex, and most people who report domestic violence have been abused 6 or 7 times before they decide to get help. The victim often has fewer resources than their abuser -- usually because of their abuser -- and stands to lose things that matter to them (their kids, their home). Also, abuse often has a mental component that operates through blame, shame and control, so that the victim is unclear about their agency in the situation. The Regional Hospital Accompaniment Response Team (a collaboration between YWCA Richmond, Safe Harbor, and Safe Place) provides an advocate and support for the victims during the evidence recovery process and the retelling of the trauma to authorities. Case managers provide resources, and counseling provides trauma-focused therapy. The public should be aware that unexplained injuries, behavior, and routines can be a red flag, or when a friend says that somebody âmakesâ them do something, that somebody âblamesâ them, or that they are ânot allowedâ to do something. Events for Domestic Violence Awareness Month include a Brown Bag Lunch Series every Thursday and the Remember the Names Memorial for those who have died as a result of domestic violence. For more information, visit www.ywcarichmond.org.
Elaine Summerfield, host Jay Westermann, sound engineer
![<?php echo $config['site_title']; ?>](/static/images/rp-navimg.gif)
![Support the <?php echo $config['site_title']; ?>](/static/images/support.png)
