With the approach of Domestic Violence Awareness month in October, Jill Donnenwirth, Director of Community-based Services for the Domestic Violence Shelter, highlighted some upcoming events related to this topic during the Richland County commissioners’ meeting on Tuesday morning.
On Tuesday, Oct. 1 at noon, the shelter will be hosting the annual kickoff to Domestic Violence Awareness Month with the appearance of speakers from the community, including commissioner Tim Wert. Donnenwirth explained the event is meant to rally support for those affected by domestic violence and to raise awareness on this issue. The event will begin at noon at the gazebo in Central Park and refreshments will be provided.
That same day, community members are asked to leave their outside lights on all night to demonstrate their support for domestic violence victims.
On Thursday, Oct. 17 at 6 p.m., there will be a candlelight vigil at The Ohio State University at Mansfield/North Central State College campus in front of the Ovalwood building. This vigil is meant to honor the survivors and remember the victims who have lost their lives to domestic violence, explained Donnenwirth.
“This discussion [on domestic violence] has to do with changing behavior, and you have a much better chance of changing younger peoples’ behavior than people who are just beyond redemption,” affirmed commissioner Ed Olson.
Donnenwirth noted that the average age someone is involved in an abusive relationship is 15 years old. “I went to a training session last year and the average age a girl expects to have a boyfriend is nine years old, so what we’re seeing is they are getting into relationships at younger and younger ages and, unfortunately, there are unhealthy relationships. So the more young people we can reach, hopefully education will lead to prevention,” she said.
Other startling statistics Donnenwirth revealed at the meeting include that every day, 10 women lose their lives to domestic violence in the U.S., one in four women will be a victim of domestic violence during their lifetime, one in nine men will be a victim, and one in three teens will be a victim.
Olson mentioned, “We’ve talked about in the past why someone would stay if they’re in an abusive relationship, and when it comes to women, women are more economically vulnerable than men, usually. And if there’s a separation, women are left as care providers for the children, so it limits their options on what they can do.”
Narrowing in on his point, Olson stated, “My strong recommendation is that we need a close liaison with staff at the domestic violence shelter and job and family services.”
If victims of domestic violence could be connected with a liaison, Olson said, and the victims are able to absorb a certain amount of information, making them highly employable, then they can migrate into their own living space and become self-sufficient.
“Economic independence is key in any human being,” Olson stated.
“We’ve talked about in the past why someone would stay if they’re in an abusive relationship, and when it comes to women, women are more economically vulnerable than men, usually,” stated Ed Olson.
