NORWICH – The Crime Victims Program through Catholic Charities offered a training on domestic violence last week, in an attempt to inform the community of the warning signs of domestic abuse, services offered through the program, and how, when and where to get help if one is afflicted.
April Conant, a crime victim advocate, explained that domestic violence is about power and control, and operates in a pattern. Conant said it is typical for an abused individual to go through the cycle approximately seven times before leaving.
“The three stages of the cycle are the tension phase, explosion phase, and honeymoon phase,” said Conant. She explained warning signs of possible domestic abuse, which include emotional control, coercion, threats, intimidation, looking through a partner’s cell phone, shaming, name-calling, economic control, and various additional factors.
“Outsiders, friends, or family don’t necessarily see these things,” said Conant. “The tension stage doesn’t include physical violence, that might take place in the explosion stage. The honeymoon stage is when the offender apologizes and attempts to rationalize their behavior.”
According to Conant, 85 percent of domestic violence victims are women.
“Intimate partner violence” is one of the major forms of domestic violence. Conant said Chenango County ranks 35th in the state with reported sexual crimes. Child abuse is additionally a form of domestic abuse, and Chenango County ranks 5th in the state.
In Chenango County, according to Conant, a total of 3,786 domestic violence reports were filed among the three major law enforcement agencies between 2008 and 2011.
“Domestic violence calls were more than half of the crimes reported to the local police,” Conant said. She added many who are victims of domestic violence often don’t report their abuse. “Someone may have had a bad experience with police before. Shame comes into play, too. The victim may be scared, and not ready to leave.”
The Crime Victims Program provides various services to those in need. Conant said even though they operate under the umbrella of “Catholic Charities,” one need not be Catholic, or religious in any way to receive help. The program accepts all people without regard to race, religion, education, gender, sexual orientation, or socio-economic status.
Resources available include safety planning, education on the effects of violence, criminal justice and court assistance, help filing orders of protection, safe housing, and medical accompaniment.
Conant added that if someone calls at 2 a.m., to say they’ve been raped, an advocate with the program will go to the hospital to offer support and assistance on the spot.
In 2012, the crime victims hotline received 227 calls, and advocates offered support at 20 emergency room visits.
According to Conant, someone in an abusive situation can ask for help through the program without reporting to the police, and victims need not feel ashamed to ask for help through the crime victims program.
“Leaving is not an event, it’s a process,” said Conant with regard to how to deal with a friend or family member experiencing domestic violence. “Avoid victim blaming, and try to recognize that the most dangerous time is when an individual is leaving their offender. They might be staying because it is their safest option. Let them know about the options available to them, but don’t force anything. Don’t take away the victim’s power and control.”
Conant said the victim does not have to be ready to leave the offender, nor do they have to be ready to call the police. She said making a call to the hotline is an important first step. Information is kept confidential.
Anyone in an immediate emergency situation is urged to call 911. To contact a victim advocate call 334-8244. To call the 24-hour hotline dial 336-1101.