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The Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coaltion holds a candlelight vigil every year. This one was held last year in Grass Valley.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month is set for October, a reminder of a largely under-reported, nationwide problem.
Everyone needs to be aware of resources available to domestic violence victims, victim advocates say, and that's why city and county officials are dedicating October to Domestic Violence Awareness.
"Far too often domestic violence victims believe that living in fear and sorrow is normal and what they deserve," said Alexis Moore, a survivor of domestic violence and stalking and founder of Survivors In Action, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping domestic violence victims throughout communities of the Sierra Nevada foothills, including those in Nevada County.
"Behind closed doors in millions of homes across our nation, domestic abuse victims know that there is another world that is hidden deep within the shadows - a secret life that abusers never allow outsiders to see."
On average, four women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends in this country every day, according to statistics compiled by the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalition of Grass Valley.
Communities with the greatest success in lowering rates of violence are those in which public and private agencies work together in a collective effort to tackle the problem, Moore said.
"Victims need inspiration and support to become survivors," Moore said.
Nevada County Victim/Witness Assistance Project Coordinator Rod Gillespie agrees public awareness is crucial for helping victims find the tools they need to free themselves and their children from violence at home.
Everyone needs to be aware of resources available to domestic violence victims, victim advocates say, and that's why city and county officials are dedicating October to Domestic Violence Awareness.
"Far too often domestic violence victims believe that living in fear and sorrow is normal and what they deserve," said Alexis Moore, a survivor of domestic violence and stalking and founder of Survivors In Action, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping domestic violence victims throughout communities of the Sierra Nevada foothills, including those in Nevada County.
"Behind closed doors in millions of homes across our nation, domestic abuse victims know that there is another world that is hidden deep within the shadows - a secret life that abusers never allow outsiders to see."
On average, four women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends in this country every day, according to statistics compiled by the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalition of Grass Valley.
Communities with the greatest success in lowering rates of violence are those in which public and private agencies work together in a collective effort to tackle the problem, Moore said.
"Victims need inspiration and support to become survivors," Moore said.
Nevada County Victim/Witness Assistance Project Coordinator Rod Gillespie agrees public awareness is crucial for helping victims find the tools they need to free themselves and their children from violence at home.
"It really is important when you look at the extent of domestic violence and the children exposed to it," Gillespie said. "We need to continue to increase the awareness."
• The Grass Valley City Council acknowledged October as domestic violence awareness month at its board meeting Sept. 25.
• The Nevada County Board of Supervisors is expected to do the same Oct. 9, as well as the Nevada City City Council Oct. 10 and the Truckee City Council Oct. 4.
• The "Women's Collective" show will be broadcast on KVMR from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 1.
• The DVSAC will hold a "Take Back the Night" candlelight vigil on the corner of East Main Street and South Auburn Street in Grass Valley 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 4. A survivor of violence is expected to speak.
• Angie Trathen of DVSAC will be on www.openlineradio.com with Lila Reyna-world wide radio show 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 17 and Oct. 24.
• Cheerleaders at Nevada Union High School will have a lightstick walk and moment of silence after the junior varsity football game at 6:45 p.m. Oct 19.
• Artwork of "silent witnesses" will be on display in various locations throughout Nevada County including the Eric W. Rood Center in Nevada City and Madelline Helling Library. The artwork depicts black stick figures, each with a story of a victim of domestic violence who survived the ordeal.
• The Grass Valley City Council acknowledged October as domestic violence awareness month at its board meeting Sept. 25.
• The Nevada County Board of Supervisors is expected to do the same Oct. 9, as well as the Nevada City City Council Oct. 10 and the Truckee City Council Oct. 4.
• The "Women's Collective" show will be broadcast on KVMR from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 1.
• The DVSAC will hold a "Take Back the Night" candlelight vigil on the corner of East Main Street and South Auburn Street in Grass Valley 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 4. A survivor of violence is expected to speak.
• Angie Trathen of DVSAC will be on www.openlineradio.com with Lila Reyna-world wide radio show 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 17 and Oct. 24.
• Cheerleaders at Nevada Union High School will have a lightstick walk and moment of silence after the junior varsity football game at 6:45 p.m. Oct 19.
• Artwork of "silent witnesses" will be on display in various locations throughout Nevada County including the Eric W. Rood Center in Nevada City and Madelline Helling Library. The artwork depicts black stick figures, each with a story of a victim of domestic violence who survived the ordeal.
To contact the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalition, call 272-3467. Survivors In Action may be reached at (916) 941-7292 or by e-mail at Alexis@survivorsinaction.com. For Nevada County Victim/Witness Assistance, call 265-1246.
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To contact Staff Writer Robyn Moormeister, e-mail robynm@theunion.com or call 477-4236.
Domestic violence facts and statistics
• A woman is beaten every 9 seconds in the United States. Domestic violence is the most under-reported crime in the country, with the actual incidence an estimated 10 times higher than is reported.
• 80 percent of children who live in homes where domestic violence occurs witness the abuse.
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To contact Staff Writer Robyn Moormeister, e-mail robynm@theunion.com or call 477-4236.
Domestic violence facts and statistics
• A woman is beaten every 9 seconds in the United States. Domestic violence is the most under-reported crime in the country, with the actual incidence an estimated 10 times higher than is reported.
• 80 percent of children who live in homes where domestic violence occurs witness the abuse.
• On average, four women are murdered every day by their male partner in the United States.
• About 17 percent of women report experiencing physical or sexual violence during pregnancy.
• Almost four million women are beaten in their homes every year by their male partners. Although the first violent incident may not be severe, battering - once it begins - tends to increase in severity and frequency, sometimes leading to permanent injury or death. What may begin as an occasional slap or shove will turn into pushing down the stairs, a punch in the face or a kick in the stomach.
• Battering is not about anger or losing control. It is an intentional choice focused on maintaining power and control in the relationship. Batterers tend not to beat their bosses or terrorize their friends when they are angry.
• Violence does occur in same-sex relationships, and the issue of power and control are similar to those found in heterosexual relationships. Homophobia allows society to trivialize the violence in same-sex relationships and compounds the effects of the violence for the victim.
• Substance abuse is involved in about half of all domestic violence incidents. Although drugs or alcohol may lower a person's self-control, they do not cause violence. Batterers often use drugs or alcohol as an excuse or permission to batter and to avoid responsibility for their abuse.
• Because violence inflicted upon a woman by her partner is treated much differently than violence inflicted by a stranger, batterers are not always arrested. Traditionally, police were more likely to file a report if the offender was a stranger, rather than an intimate partner.
- Source: "Domestic Violence Information," a DVSAC publication
• About 17 percent of women report experiencing physical or sexual violence during pregnancy.
• Almost four million women are beaten in their homes every year by their male partners. Although the first violent incident may not be severe, battering - once it begins - tends to increase in severity and frequency, sometimes leading to permanent injury or death. What may begin as an occasional slap or shove will turn into pushing down the stairs, a punch in the face or a kick in the stomach.
• Battering is not about anger or losing control. It is an intentional choice focused on maintaining power and control in the relationship. Batterers tend not to beat their bosses or terrorize their friends when they are angry.
• Violence does occur in same-sex relationships, and the issue of power and control are similar to those found in heterosexual relationships. Homophobia allows society to trivialize the violence in same-sex relationships and compounds the effects of the violence for the victim.
• Substance abuse is involved in about half of all domestic violence incidents. Although drugs or alcohol may lower a person's self-control, they do not cause violence. Batterers often use drugs or alcohol as an excuse or permission to batter and to avoid responsibility for their abuse.
• Because violence inflicted upon a woman by her partner is treated much differently than violence inflicted by a stranger, batterers are not always arrested. Traditionally, police were more likely to file a report if the offender was a stranger, rather than an intimate partner.
- Source: "Domestic Violence Information," a DVSAC publication
