Tu Casa: Take a stand against domestic violence

VALLEY — People often think of a home as a safe place. It’s the place where someone can go to take off the pressures of the world, literally and metaphorically.

But imagine if this was actually a war zone. Imagine it was a place where someone waits for their partner to walk through the door each night; their anxiety rising as their partner gets closer and closer to the door. The person tries to analyze the sound of the footsteps, even the way the door is opened; as if they will be able to better prepare them self if they can figure out what’s coming next. But they don’t know. They never know if today they will be greeted with the partner that is kind and loving, or if they will see the one that degrades them, makes them feel worthless, or hits them.

This might sound like a nightmare, but it is a mere glimpse of what reality can be like for so many that are experiencing domestic violence. According to a statistic published by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, on average, about 20 people experience Intimate Partner Violence every single minute. This adds up to more than 10 million people experiencing domestic violence every year in the United States alone. This equates to 1 in 4 women and 1 in 25 men experiencing domestic violence in their lifetime. And that one could be someone you care very deeply for; it could be your best friend, your sister or brother, your child — or it could even be you.

These statistics can be hard to hear, but it’s important to realize what a huge issue domestic violence is, and that it can happen to anyone. Intimate partner abuse can occur no matter someone’s race, gender, age, or socioeconomic status. It can happen and it does happen.

It is understandable why anyone would like to deny that this would happen in their life or in the lives of people around them. When people believe this way, they are trying to separate themselves from a world of violence; it’s a way of coping with these horrible things. But unfortunately, denial does not protect anyone. The only way to truly eliminate a problem is to first acknowledge the problem, then make actions toward a solution.

Tu Casa, Inc. is actively making steps toward solutions with the work they do every day; however, they cannot do it alone. They need your help. This year, the theme of DVAM is #1 thing. What #1 thing will you do to end domestic violence?

There are many different things anyone can do to help raise awareness and combat this issue. If you are interested in social media avenues, you can wear purple ribbons or replace your porch light with a purple one, and post the picture to Tu Casa, Inc.’s Facebook page to show support for survivors. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence has many sample posts that anyone can copy to their social media account to generate conversations and spread awareness. One of their examples includes “1 in 15 children are exposed to intimate partner violence yearly; and 90% of these children are eyewitnesses to this violence. With #SurvivorsSpeaks, we hope all survivors will be strong enough to come forward. Learn More: www.NCADV.org/SurvivorSpeaks.”

If you want to find ways in your community to make a difference, you can take some suggestions from Tu Casa, Inc.’s community action cards, such as volunteering at a local non-profit, having a conversation with a young person about healthy relationships, or even challenging any victim blaming you hear. And always, if you recognize domestic violence happening to someone in your life, let them know you are there for them and encourage them to reach out to Tu Casa, Inc. These are all just a few opportunities that Tu Casa, Inc. hopes you will take advantage of to help end the shame, isolation, and the silence of domestic violence. If you would like more information on how you can combat Domestic Violence, feel free to reach out to Tu Casa, Inc. and talk to someone about what you can do to make a difference.

If you need help or know someone who does, call our local 24 hour crisis/assistance hotline at 719-589-2465.