Greater Rome Times

I have noticed recently all of the publicity that October gets as being Breast Cancer Awareness Month. There is pink everywhere. This is most definitely a worthy and most needed cause. I’m sure that everyone knows of someone that has been touched by breast cancer. I, myself, know a couple of survivors and some that unfortunately lost their battle with the disease.

My concern is that another worthy cause is being overlooked.

October is also Domestic Violence Awareness Month and has been since 1987. Unlike Breast Cancer, many victims of domestic violence don’t share what is happening to them with others. They hide it for many reasons such as fear the abuse could get worse or even fatal. Following are some alarming statistics from the Forsyth County Family Haven website.

Domestic Violence Statistics

• 25 to 45% of women who are battered are battered during pregnancy (March of Dimes)
• In 2003, Georgia ranked 9th for Domestic Violence deaths; 132 total deaths, including 11 children and 2 women from Forsyth county
• One-half of all American women report physical or sexual abuse at some point in their lives
• Every 30 minutes a child in Georgia is the victim of confirmed abuse or neglect
• Each day in Georgia, three children will die from abuse or neglect
• Half of all men who assault their wives also abuse their children

Battering is against the law!

A woman is battered every 9 seconds. An estimated two to four million are battered every year.

DV doesn’t just affect adults. Children may often witness abuse in their home which can have a negative impact on them for years to come. There are even more alarming statistics on the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence’s web site at www.ncadv.org.

Domestic Violence victims of all ages should know that there are organizations and people out there fighting for their cause. There is even a national 24/7 hotline they can call, 1-800-799-SAFE. There are 47 DV shelters in the state of Georgia and many more throughout the nation. These organizations need both the financial and volunteer support of their communities to take care of and protect the many victims that seek their help. Without continued crucial support, victims may never get help because it won’t exist.

While I do not seek in any way to undermine the importance of Breast Cancer, I simply would like to see more attention to a growing trend in our country that does not discriminate. It could be happening to your neighbor two houses down from you no matter where you live. It might even be the co-worker in the cubicle next to you. Please help spread the work for this very important cause.

Anyone interested in learning more can contact their local shelter, Forsyth County Family Haven, at (770) 887-1121, or the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence at (404) 209-0280. Together we can make a difference and stop the violence.

I am writing this personally and am not soliciting for any particular organization, only the cause itself.

Sincerely,

Lynn Murphy
Board of Directors, Forsyth County Family Haven