Issue of Concern: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

 Our Vision:      We feel safe at home.

To Reach Our Vision:

• Families have skills to resolve conflict peacefully.
• Our community provides support for families.
• As a community we are aware of the causes of abuse of children, spouses, and elders and know some steps to take to intervene.
• All new families receive parenting education.

Island County Community Snap Shot:
     What we KNOW about domestic violence…

• In the Fall of 1995 domestic violence was rated as one of the top three health concerns of residents of North, Central, South Whidbey Island and Camano Island.(1)
• In 1995 the Sheriff’s Department responded to 412 domestic violence calls and made about 206 arrests.(2)
• In 1994 the Sheriff’s Department made 224 arrests for domestic violence; in 1993 there were 167 arrests for domestic violence.(2)
• Citizens Against Domestic Abuse (CADA) served 307 victims in 1995 and 539 victims in 1996. (3)

     What we DON’T KNOW about domestic violence…

• How many families are touched by this problem?
• How many adult and child victims need help?
• What is the best way to reach people who need education and services?
• How can we, as a community, reduce violence in our families?

     What we are doing now:

• Catholic Community Services:

Anger Management Groups, Child Advocacy Program, Children’s Day Treatment, Sexual Abuse Treatment Group, Counseling Services for Adults and Children, Parent/Family Education Classes; 1-800-298-5999

• Child Abuse Prevention Foundation:

Provides funding for child abuse prevention programs, 331-8752

• Citizens Against Domestic Abuse (CADA)

Offers advocacy-based counseling; 24-hour crisis intervention; safe shelter; emergency transportation; legal advocacy; divorce assistance; support groups for women and children; information and referral; education and training; prevention presentations; community awareness events; and volunteer opportunities. 679-7781 or crisis: 675-2232 or 321-8424

• Child Protective Service:

Investigates reports of child abuse/neglect, provides in-home service and referrals; 679-6643, 1-800-743-0117

• Law Enforcement:

Responds to emergencies, domestic violence reports, cooperates with and refers to local agencies

• Navy Family Service Centers:

Provides variety of prevention and counseling services to active duty and family members, 257-6289

• Personal Support Network:

Clergy, family, friends

Conclusions:

• Even with a lack of information about the numbers affected, Island County residents from North, Central, South Whidbey and Camano are concerned about domestic violence.
• We need education about the cycle of violence.
• In order to measure our progress toward our goal of feeling safe at home, we need to know how much violence is happening now and we need a way to measure our progress.

References:

DEFINITION: Domestic violence, as used here, means verbal, emotional, physical, and sexual abuse of children, spouses, and elderly family members.

"Every five years, domestic violence kills as many women as the total number of Americans who died in the Vietnam War." (American Medical Association)

"80% of all violent juvenile offenders and adult prisoners come from homes where domestic violence occurred." (Ohio Physicians,

Domestic Violence Awareness Handbook from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Departmental Administration Human Resources Management.