IT’S EVERYONE’S BUSINESS

Start talking about domestic violence, because it’s everyone’s business

Should you talk with your friends, your family, your coworkers and even your neighbors about domestic violence? Yes. It’s everyone’s business.

Domestic violence continues to occur in our community, and the only way we can stop it is for everyone to make it their business.

Some sources estimate over 25% of all suicide attempts in women are related to domestic violence. And domestic violence is associated with a multitude of health issues, including alcohol and other drug abuse. Nearly 1/3 of women experience abuse by a husband or boyfriend at some point in their lives. Domestic violence affects everyone, and persons of any gender or age can be victims of domestic violence.

The American Psychological Association defines domestic violence as a pattern of abusive behaviors including a wide range of physical, sexual and psychological mistreatment used by one person in an intimate relationship with another to gain power unfairly or maintain that person’s misuse of power, control, and authority.

And while domestic violence is about power and control, Dawn Hoffner believes community collaboration has the power to reduce domestic violence.

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms

• Flashbacks

• Substance abuse

• Even suicidal behavior

As the director of the community liaison department & business development for Prairie St. John’s Hospital, Hoffner has had the opportunity to partner with Fargo Police Chief Keith Ternes and Rape & Abuse Crisis Center Executive Director, Greg Diehl.

Both the Fargo Police Department and the Cass County State’s Attorney’s Office have dedicated resources to investigating and prosecuting domestic violence related crimes.

“We are so fortunate to have visionary, proactive progressive leadership from our law enforcement as well as our advocacy, service provider and professional treatment community” Hoffner said.

In addition to the Rape & Abuse Crisis Center, the YWCA is the largest emergency shelter provider in the state of North Dakota and Northwest Minnesota for women and children experiencing domestic violence. And the Red River Children’s Advocacy Center exists to facilitate community response to child maltreatment for victims and their families through a team approach to investigation, treatment and prosecution in a safe child-friendly environment.

“These wonderful and essential organizations need and deserve our community’s full support as they effectively serve victims and their families and create awareness and advocacy through collaboration” Hoffner added.

But accountability to make the community a safe place for everyone isn’t the job of just one agency. It will take everyone to make our community domestic violence free. So start talking about domestic violence, because it’s everyone’s business. [AWM]