DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS

We are entering in October, the month of Domestic Violence awareness.

As our organization is dedicated to contribute together for better tomorrow for all of us and to support, educate and work on prevention.

This awareness month, we will support through a short course, prepared by Mrs. Sanela Nikolic, Police Officer, Crime Analyst, General Director of IPO HQ & IPO LED - Law Enforcement Department

October was first declared as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month in 1989. Since then, October has been a time to acknowledge domestic violence survivors and be a voice for its victims. Domestic violence is prevalent in every community and affects all people regardless of age, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, or nationality.

Physical violence is often accompanied by emotionally abusive and controlling behavior as part of a much larger, systematic pattern of dominance and control.

Domestic violence can result in physical injury, psychological trauma, and even death.The devastating consequences of domestic violence can cross generations and last a lifetime. Although there has been substantial progress in reducing domestic violence, an average of 20 people are physically abused by intimate partners every minute.

This equates to more than 10 million abuse victims annually. 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have been physically abused by an intimate partner, and 1 in 5 women and 1 in 7 men have been severely physically abused by an intimate partner. Millions of Americans live in daily, silent fear within their own homes. In addition, every year millions of children are exposed to domestic violence.

Domestic violence incidents affect every person within a home and can have long-lasting negative effects on children's emotional well-being, and social and academic functioning.

Unfortunately, domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women, more than car accidents, muggings, and rapes combined.

Every 9 seconds in the U.S. a woman is assaulted or beaten.

Every year, 1 in 3 women who is a victim of homicide is murdered by her current or former partner. Studies show that living with domestic violence can cause physical and emotional harm to children and young people as much as the victim. It encompasses all physical, sexual, emotional, economic, and psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person.

This is one of the most common forms of violence experienced by women globally.

How you can help?

- You can play an important role in helping a friend, co-worker, neighbor, or family member that is being abused by an intimate partner or somebody they are dating. Learn the facts about domestic violence and ways you can help or support a friend.

- Tell your friend or family member that you care and are willing to listen.

- Do not force them to talk about anything they don’t want to talk about but allow them to confide in you at their own pace.

- Assure them that it is not their fault and they should never be treated that way.

- Take your friend’s concerns seriously.

- Honor the need for confidentiality unless there is immediate danger.

- Always respect their choices and avoid judgment.

The IPO Education and Crime Prevention Department prepared this short course to support "Domestic violence awareness month" and to contribute to raising awareness among the community, with the goal to help all victims of violence, but also their friends and family to courage victims to go out from violence wheel and cycle and help them to return in normal life.

“ Love should not hurt “

“ Domestic violence awareness “ should not be only in October, but every day.

To support and help victims of violence, IPO is preparing a project which will include all our members who want to contribute to the community.

If you would like to become one of us, join us over the link: https://www.interpolice.org/membership

IPO News Room