October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month

We all deserve safety. Triumph is bringing awareness to one area of safety in particular—domestic violence. 

Domestic violence is a serious violent crime that includes both physical and emotional abuse. It is frequently hidden from public view. Many victims suffer in silence, afraid to seek help or not knowing where to turn.

The traumatic effects of domestic violence also extend beyond the abused person, impacting family members and communities.

Here are several domestic violence facts and resources.

1) There are several ways to report abuse for both yourself and your child.

  • During the daytime, you can call the Yakima regional office of the Department of Child and Family Services at 1-866-469-6879.

  • After hours (nights and weekends), you can call 1-800-562-5624.

  • If you are not in Yakima County and you’re looking for your local regional office or resources, please call 1-866-ENDHARM (1-866-363-4276)

 

2) State law is designed to deploy many anti-domestic violence advocates.

 According to Washington state’s 2006 mandatory reporting law, social workers, medical professionals, childcare workers are the state’s mandatory reporters, meaning they are required by law to report either confirmed or suspected abuse.

 

3) Young women are the usual victims of violence. 

Data from the Domestic Violence Resource Center indicates that women comprise 80 percent of reported domestic violence cases. Of those cases, women ages 20-24 are at the highest risk.

 

4) Organizational Support for victims

Organizations like Battered Women’s Justice Program are equipping the people who most often partner with women who have experienced violence.

5) There is hope. 

Thanks to efforts from state, national and international organizations like Child Welfare Information Gateway, National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), Women Thrive and federal legislative intervention, domestic violence is declining. Since 1994, reported cases have declined from 13.5 per 1,000 to five per 1,000.

Programs With Purpose – Domestic Violence