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Violence Against Women

E. Combs, C. Huffman, A. Rmus, and D. Sohn

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Domestic Partner Violence Against women

(Forani 2020)

(Forani 2020)

Violence against women includes domestic violence, which is a “pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner.” There are multiple types of abuse that can occur: emotional, psychological, financial/economic, physical, sexual and stalking (“What Is Domestic Abuse?”). Fifty-two percent of all women killed in America are killed by either a family member or partner (AlachuaCounty.us). Reporting signs of violence in the home is extremely important, along with knowing the signs and being available for help. This blog post further examines domestic partner violence locally, services available in Gainesville, and COVID-19’s effects on domestic violence.


Local Domestic Violence

Florida has the third-highest estimated number of domestic violence victims in the U.S. (Houseman 2021). In 2019, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement reported 105,298 cases of domestic violence. Of those cases, 68,550 pertain specifically to partner violence (Florida Department of Law Enforcement). These numbers, while already devastatingly high, may very likely be even higher. Many more survivors of domestic violence do not report their abusers to the police due to varying reasons, such as shame, fear, or being prevented from doing so by their abusers.

Last year, Alachua County reported that, from the month of November until the month of December, three separate women, one who had an infant, were killed by their partners (Nelson 2020). The Gainesville Sun took a statement from Harvey Ward, the city commissioner, on the killings. Ward stated: “Tragic is the only word for it…. And I would love to (say) specifically what the city or law enforcement could do to turn things around but intimate partner violence is with us all the time” (Nelson 2020).

Domestic Violence Shelters

Domestic violence shelters serve survivors across America. In a multi-state study of domestic violence shelters, it was found that without the help of such shelters and agencies in place, many victims would likely experience “homelessness, serious losses including children, continued abuse or death, or actions taken in desperation,” (Lyon, Lane, and Menard 2008). Domestic abuse shelters, specifically ones geared toward handling the experiences of women and children, are an essential component in any survivor’s journey, which includes security, healing, and growth.

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Peaceful Paths

In Gainesville, Peaceful Paths has been a necessary component to the well-being of the community. The services offered at Peaceful Paths include programs such as “shelter and supportive housing, crisis helpline, counseling and support groups, victim advocacy, economic empowerment, legal services, professional education and training, violence prevention education, and community awareness” (Peaceful Paths). In the year 2020, over 1,000 survivors were served, 96 survivors were permanently housed, and 603 legal clients were served. Peaceful Paths has aided domestic violence victims in real and substantial ways.  


COVID-19 and Partner Violence

The Gainesville Police Department chief inspector, Jorge Campos, has explained how rates of domestic violence locally and nationally have shown signs of an upward trend since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic due to quarantine/self-isolation orders. In “A Pandemic within a Pandemic—Intimate Partner Violence during Covid-19,” stay-at-home orders, which were intended to prevent the spread of COVID-19, left many domestic violence victims helpless at home with their abusers (Evans, Lindauer, and Farrell 2020). Notably, early in the pandemic it was difficult for people experiencing abuse to report domestic violence as they were not able to get away from their abusers. This was particularly alarming in Alachua County, as there was an uptick in cases as of March 2020, given that it had been difficult for victims to report the violence they were experiencing (Nelson 2020). The increase in domestic violence due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Alachua County is tragic, and we must ensure that people have adequate access to resources during this time.

Conclusion

Overall, there are multiple clear facts about domestic violence: it is prevalent in today’s society, there has been an increase since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, and domestic violence can take place anywhere, despite socioeconomic status or educational background. When it comes to reporting domestic abuse, victims can have a hard time doing so because of fears of shame and embarrassment. There are domestic violence shelters that help victims with this among other services. In Gainesville, Peaceful Paths offers many services to help and educate.

If you or anyone you know is experiencing domestic abuse or violence, please call the Peaceful Paths 24/7 helpline at 352-377-8255 or text at 352-727-0948. You may also call the state-wide toll-free Domestic Violence Helpline at 1-800-500-1119.

  

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