THE TALK Words by Kelila Ritchie As a woman, there are certain things you just can’t do or, rather, you don’t feel
“Because we’re still seeing this high level of lethality and deaths of domestic
comfortable doing like going on a run at night out of fear of being kidnapped
violence in Northeast Florida, we still need to get the word out,” Patin said,
and sold into the sex trade or not stopping at the gas station after a night out
referring to 5,000 individuals Hubbard House has helped in one year alone,
because if you reject the guy at the pump’s advances he just might stab you.
not to mention the thousands of calls to their hotline. “This is not lessening.”
These may sound like extreme examples, but unfortunately, they happen every day. And not only to women.
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN With the upcoming fall and winter, it is also important that we continue keep-
That women are the only victims of domestic abuse is a common misconcep-
ing an eye on instances of abuse. Violent cases tend to increase during
tion. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, nearly
spikes in weather such as cold temperatures or a heat wave. Stress is also a
one-third of victims of domestic violence are male. Nor is domestic violence
huge contributor to the rise in domestic violence.
always physical. Also known as intimate partner violence, dating violence and family violence, this type of abuse can range from sexual abuse to emotional
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an overall increase in women’s
abuse. Domestic violence does and can happen to anyone, and anyone can
experience of violence. Simultaneously, the effects of the pandemic left many
be the abuser.
victims of domestic violence without shelter or without many other resources. According to the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empow-
STATISTICS
erment of Women (UN Women), 80% of women whose partners do not have
Around 10 million people become victims of domestic violence in the United
any earnings reported that they or at least one woman they know has experi-
States every year. This equates to 22 people per minute experiencing some
enced at least one act of domestic violence.
form of violence in their personal relationships, making it an incredibly urgent subject that — up until 1970 — was considered a “private family matter.” Wom-
“Earning an income appears to reduce experiences of violence: Women with
en and children were considered possessions of men and, therefore, prob-
an income are less likely to perceive violence against women as a problem
lems at home should be handled within the home. I have vivid memories of my
and domestic violence as common. The exception: women who out earn their
mom having conversations with my sister and me about the dangers of being
partner perceive domestic violence as more common and feel less safe at
a woman and how to best protect ourselves. I was 10 years old. According to
home than those who don’t,” according to UN Women.
the Florida Department of Children and Families, 22%-25% of all women will experience domestic violence at some point in their lifetime. Abuse can be
With the ever-changing economy, this needs to be addressed today. The is-
physical, sexual, economic or psychological actions or threats of action that
sue of violence against women goes deeper than just one act of violence,
aim to instill fear in victims.
one time. The issue of violence against women speaks to centuries of discrimination and gender-based inequalities that continue to cause harm and
Domestic violence can extend past intimate, romantic relationships and can
forego justice. Violence against women (VAW) is a consequence of gender
also include sibling abuse and parental abuse, something many people might
inequality. Data surrounding this phenomena is constantly changing but nev-
not consider or take seriously. We think about fighting with siblings or parents
er paints the full picture, as many survivors of domestic abuse fear coming
in a way that reflects our childhood moments but rarely in a way that resem-
forward to share their story and/or feel ashamed. Marie says her experiences
bles the mainstream idea of “domestic violence.” Then there are people like
with domestic violence have made her question the human ability to love.
Marie, a survivor of domestic violence, whose stepfather would “terrorize” her household.
We, as a society, have to do our part in helping to ease the transition from having to survive to being able to live. Many times when a survivor speaks out
“Growing up, domestic violence was always a part of life. Just as barbecues
regarding their abuse, they are met with invalidating questions such as, “Well,
and family reunions were. I would see adults fighting, whether intimate part-
what did she do to deserve that?” Victim-blaming plays a huge role in silence
ners or brothers and sisters or just sisters. It was a norm in my village,” she
among survivors. Even worse, the normalization of violence against women
said.
further perpetuates this miserable cycle. Reading cases where women are brutally beaten, raped and killed is always incredibly gut wrenching.
Currently in Duval County, more than 8,000 people are injured as a result of domestic violence every year. Every October, the Hubbard House releases
Currently in Florida, not all acts of violence involving people in relationships
their Domestic Violence Fatality Review Report which looks at fatalities oc-
can make a case for domestic violence in court. For example, if you are in a
curring the previous year that were due to domestic violence. This year, the
relationship with someone but do not live together or have children, any acts
numbers have not decreased, according to Gail A. Patin, CEO of Hubbard
of violence in the relationship would be deemed criminal but not classified
House, which serves victims of domestic violence and their families.
as domestic violence. The distinction matters greatly as different safety measures are taken to protect a victim of domestic violence. Also, the penalty for those convicted are likely to be higher. There needs to be stricter laws surrounding the safety of women, no loopholes.
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