Remembering Victims of Domestic Violence | The Signpost

By Cindy Jones October 10, 2011.

Ogden participants of the 14^th annual Footsteps to Light walked from Lester Park to the Ogden Amphitheater last Thursday to honor not only those who have died from domestic violence, but also those who have survived.

Your Community Connection of Ogden sponsored this event.

?The YCC is a non-profit community based organization that assists victims of domestic violence and rape,? said Tallie Viteri, DVVAC Manger of YCC.

Jane Bryant, a victim of domestic violence herself, and author of ?He Never Hit Me,? was the keynote speaker. Bryant described the years she spent in an abusive relationship, and how she was finally able to leave her husband. Bryant said her marriage was like ?walking daily through a minefield, a volcano that erupted spontaneously? Women typically stay in abusive relationships because of fear. Fear of being hurt, or fear for the well-being of their children. But, it is only a matter of time before they [the abuser] escalate into violence. Do not spend another five minutes in that relationship.?

She also advised women in abusive relationships to keep a journal. ?It will document everything that happens to you. It will empower you. If you don?t write it down, it is as if it didn?t happen.? Bryant told women who are in abusive relationships to get a protective order. ?This will put them [the abusers] first on the list of suspects if anything happens to you.?

?Unfortunately, Jane?s story is not uncommon; many women suffer from emotional and physical abuse. Jane?s book will help other women evaluate if they are in a healthy or an abusive relationship,? said Joel Brandley, Bryant?s therapist.

Mary, one of the many attendees, was at the event to help support the awareness of abuse. Her daughter has been in an abusive marriage for several years. Mary said that she suspected abuse immediately.

?He rushed my daughter into a very quick marriage. He would not let her see us because he said he was training her.? Mary said the signs to look for in an abusive relationship are control issues. ?My daughter?s husband controls everything from the clothes she wears, to phone calls, to what time she goes to school. Everything is completely controlled.? Mary also said, ?Abusers isolate their victims from friends and family. If you suspect abuse, call the police, it is your business.?

According to Child and Family Services, domestic violence includes emotional abuse, isolation, and sexual abuse as well as physical abuse.

The following statistics come from the YCC :

• A woman is beaten every nine seconds by an intimate partner.
• Domestic Violence is the largest, single cause of injury among women seen at hospital emergency rooms.
• One out of every four American women report that they have been physically abused by a husband or boyfriend at some point in their lives.
• Nationally, 75 percent of battered women say that their children are also battered.

Phone Numbers

Emergency????????????????????????????????????????? ? ? ? ? ? ? 911

YCC?????????????????????????????????????????????????? ? ? ? ? ? ?? 801-394-9456

Rape Crisis???????????????????????????????????????? ????????? 801-392-7273

Victim Advocates?????????????????????????????? ? ? ? ?? 801-394-9456

Child Protective Services??????????????????? ? ? ? 801-395-5911

Child/Adult Abuse 24 hour Hotline???? 1-800-371-7897

Posted by Cindy Jones on October 10, 2011. Filed under Features, Top Features. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

Source: http://www.wsusignpost.com/2011/10/10/footsteps-to-light-remembers-victims-of-domestic-violence/

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