Victims, speak out
Paige L. Jinbo
Issue date: 10/26/09 Section: News
However, the increase in women coming forward is a sign that victims are realizing that there is help out in their community.
Elena Clariza, immigrant outreach specialist for the Domestic Violence Action Center, attributes the increase to the media.
"Since the Rihanna incident, the media has covered domestic violence extensively," Clariza said. "Because of this there's more support coming from the legislation and bills being passed to protect victims of abuse."
"We just want victims to know that it's not OK to be abused," she added. "There are many people who are afraid of coming out to talk about it; it's something that's kept quiet and it shouldn't be.
Clariza wants victims to speak out to someone before it's too late.
While data was collected to determine the number of women who will be abused in a year, it's still difficult to nail down solid statistics because domestic abuse is an underreported crime. However, every year there are women who die each year because of domestic violence. Last year there were eight deaths caused by domestic violence and between January and March of this year three people died.
"It is really hard to speak out, but there are resources and people who can help and keep you safe," Ragolia said.
Victims of abuse who call the DVAC Hotline are counseled to take action through an assessment and safety plan. This plan entails that the victim make a decision on whether to stay or leave the victim.
"We usually have a high success of safety with our victims," Ragolia said.
But, there are women who chose to stay with their abuser. According to Ragolia, there are multiple reasons for this.
"Most times the victims hope for change from the abuser; the person doing the abusing is someone involved in the victim's life and the victim doesn't want to believe that their abuser is a monster," Ragolia explained. "A big reason is fear too; fear of what's going to happen if they leave the abuser. When the woman is planning to leave her abuser, it's a crucial time for her."
Elena Clariza, immigrant outreach specialist for the Domestic Violence Action Center, attributes the increase to the media.
"Since the Rihanna incident, the media has covered domestic violence extensively," Clariza said. "Because of this there's more support coming from the legislation and bills being passed to protect victims of abuse."
"We just want victims to know that it's not OK to be abused," she added. "There are many people who are afraid of coming out to talk about it; it's something that's kept quiet and it shouldn't be.
Clariza wants victims to speak out to someone before it's too late.
While data was collected to determine the number of women who will be abused in a year, it's still difficult to nail down solid statistics because domestic abuse is an underreported crime. However, every year there are women who die each year because of domestic violence. Last year there were eight deaths caused by domestic violence and between January and March of this year three people died.
"It is really hard to speak out, but there are resources and people who can help and keep you safe," Ragolia said.
Victims of abuse who call the DVAC Hotline are counseled to take action through an assessment and safety plan. This plan entails that the victim make a decision on whether to stay or leave the victim.
"We usually have a high success of safety with our victims," Ragolia said.
But, there are women who chose to stay with their abuser. According to Ragolia, there are multiple reasons for this.
"Most times the victims hope for change from the abuser; the person doing the abusing is someone involved in the victim's life and the victim doesn't want to believe that their abuser is a monster," Ragolia explained. "A big reason is fear too; fear of what's going to happen if they leave the abuser. When the woman is planning to leave her abuser, it's a crucial time for her."
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