October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

By Paul Denial                      
 
With so many issues plaguing our society, it’s nearly impossible for each issue to get the attention that it needs and deserves. We are facing giants: hunger, homelessness, human trafficking, child abuse, cancer and diseases like ALS, which has gained incredible awareness with the help of the Ice Bucket Challenge taking over social media.
 
In another month the focus will be on the inspiring stories of survivors of domestic violence. October – Domestic Violence Awareness Month – is the one month each year where we work to spread awareness of an issue that affects 1 in 4 women in our society.
 
The issue of domestic violence is rarely discussed honestly and openly. The issue makes people uncomfortable. When a prominent professional athlete can receive an initial punishment of a 2 game suspension after evidence of involvement in domestic violence arises, there is clearly a disconnect and the level of education about this issue is not where it needs to be. What society doesn’t yet understand is that the physical abuse is only the symptom of the true issue. Domestic violence is all about power and control whether it manifests itself physically, sexually, financially, emotionally or otherwise. Dominance and a cycle of ultimate control rule the lives of women and children who live in this reality. Why doesn’t a woman just leave? She’s been programmed, not only by her abuser, but by society, to think that any abuse she’s suffering is her own doing; that any physical or psychological scars are the result of her own actions and as such, are justifiable. How can a woman truly believe she is worth more and deserving of more when her abuser gets nothing more than a slap on the wrist and the blogosphere blows up with critics pointing fingers her instead of her abuser?
 
It’s time to put domestic violence on the grand stage. We need to make people slightly uncomfortable so that as a society we can pay closer attention. New Life Center has broken records year after year for the number of women and children served in emergency shelter and through outreach support and our crisis hotline. The truth is, the need is still there – whether or not people are talking about it. The problem still exists all around us – whether or not people want to admit it.
 
Help us spread the word about domestic violence throughout the year, but specifically beginning in October. Follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/NewLifeCtr and share updates throughout the month. Wear your purple ribbon proudly. Invite friends and family to tour New Life Center for a glimpse of what their support can do. Commit to attending our Brighter Day Luncheon in November and inviting 10 of your friends or colleagues to join you.
 
The ripple effect of domestic violence is real. This issue affects each of us. But, the ripple effect of service is equally available. If we give back, the ripple of hope and change can affect generations. www.newlifectr.org