Crescent-News.com - No place immune to domestic violence

By LISA NICELY

nicely@crescent-news.com

Unfortunately no place is immune from domestic violence, even in northwest Ohio.

October is domestic violence awareness month. According to the Ohio Attorney General's Office, there were 64,735 victims of domestic violence in Ohio during 2007.

"We recognize domestic violence as a major law enforcement problem," said Attorney General Nancy Rogers. "The damage domestic violence inflicts is serious and that damage extends well beyond the immediate victim."

Domestic violence falls into several categories of crimes including homicides, aggravated assaults, simple assaults, stalking and others.

Officials areawide stress the need for victims as well as the general public to know what can be done about the problem as well as where to get help. Several organizations in the area help women, men and children who are victims.

Locally, there are many places for victims to turn for help.

Woman & Family Services and the Center for Children and Family Advocacy have resources such as shelters, information, protection order help, emotional support and more. Some area shelters include the House of Ruth and Sarah's House.

Veria Frank, coordinator of the Rape Crisis Center at Women & Family Services, says it can be difficult for victims of domestic violence to seek help.

"People don't stay because it isn't that bad, they stay because they feel there's no place to go or they are committed to make it work," she said. "There are places to go and there are people to help them. It's never too late."

Women & Family Services handled just under 200 cases in 2007 of people experiencing some form of partnership violence. That includes all five counties the agency covers --Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Paulding and Williams counties.

"It's the majority of our cases involve domestic violence and a lot of times with domestic violence comes sexual abuse," said Frank.

"We work with men too, whether it be domestic violence or sexual assault, either case sometimes men are at the receiving end. A shelter that normally takes women in won't take men, so sometimes it's a problem for them to find somewhere to go. Sometimes they think that if a female hits them no one will believe them.

"Both men and women have the same issues on why they don't want to report. They don't want people to know, they don't think people will believe them, that applies to both genders. When you look at whose hurting you, this is someone that you know. This is someone you've committed to, it just makes it so hard sometimes for survivors of abuse to seek help in the first place."

When victims of domestic violence come forward victim advocates can help them. They not only listen and provide support, but if the victim wishes they can attend court with them as well as get paperwork started for a civil protection order.

"They do a lot of safety planning," said Frank of advocates. "That's the first thing we ask is 'are you safe now?' and if not we find some place safe for them to go. We help them replace door locks. We refer to the shelter it need be. Whatever they need we do what we can. "

Victims advocate agencies handle many cases involving all walks of life and relationships partners abusing partners, girlfriends and boyfriends, children and parents.

Another important thing to remember is that anyone of any age can be a victim of domestic violence.

Children, unfortunately, are also not immune. Women & Family Services helps individuals age 12 and older. The agency goes to school to try to prevent child abuse, however sometimes at a school they may find a child in unsafe conditions.

"We refer to counselor and sometimes child protection services," said Frank. "The same with high school programs. We have assisted teens with civil protection orders, unfortunately."

The Center for Children and Family Advocacy specializes in helping victims of domestic violence and child sexual assault.

Beth Gerken, clinical services director at the Center for Family and Child Advocacy, said the agency receives referrals for aid not only from victims, but from the courts, Job and Family Services and family members as well.

"There were 241 cases of domestic violence was reported and the victim received services through the victim advocate last year in Defiance County," said Gerken. "That's only one county in our area."

The center provides services for the six-county area. Gerken credits awareness of the problem of domestic violence on why some victims are now stepping forward.

"Women are learning what rights they do have and that there are services available to them as an escape and in order to empower them and gain the strength they need to be on their own with their children," she said.

Gerken said the services provided can very for each individual.

"We have the House of Ruth available if it is a severe scenario and if they are in need of actually housing," she said. "The victim and their children are provided services. We have available staff 24-hours a day, 365 days a year for safe keeping and crisis services."

House of Ruth, a battered women's shelter which serves victims in Defiance, Fulton, Paulding, Henry and Williams counties. House of Ruth also has a 24-hour-a-day hotline and offers individual counseling, education, a support group, referrals and much more.

In addition to the House of Ruth, victims are matched with a victim advocate in Defiance and Henry Counties.

Christine Gugel-Plummer is a victim advocate for Defiance County. She serves the county as well as the Family Justice Center. She has been an advocate for eight years.

"I meet with victims in crisis on location at the hospital, police department, residence, anywhere," she said.

Gugel-Plummer works with the victims, law enforcement, prosecutor's office and various agencies to make sure the victims' needs are being meet.

"The collaboration we have is unbelievable," she said.

Pam Hayman-Weaner, director of the Family Justice Center, keeps advocates constantly update in changes in law, while the Legal Aid of Western Ohio helps with civil protection and stalking orders to benefit victims.

While all this is going on the advocate is working with the survivors of domestic violence as a liaison between the agencies, court and prosecutor's office to let the groups know what the victim wants as well as the rights the victim has.

"Informing them of everything that is available is important," Gugel-Plummer said. "We need to make them more aware of the legal rights. We need to make sure they don't' feel alone going through this. We discuss safety options with them. We also have a program called VINE (victim identification notification everyday). That is when the offender is incarcerated, the survivor can call at anytime to make sure offender is still incarcerated. There are women that do that every day before they go to work, before they send their children off to school. It's amazing how much that makes them feel more secure."

In addition the advocates to risk assessments for domestic violence survivors to make sure they are safe.

"It's very important we keep them safe and represent all of the cornerstones of a successful advocacy and shelter program," she said. "The confidentiality equals safety. We take them back and forth from court if they need a ride. We bring them into the office sometimes. The family justice center is a comfortable place to be. We also have a food pantry to help the battered women that comes in here."

In fact, Gugel-Plummer has been asked to represent all of the Family Justice Centers in Northwest Ohio to network and come up with ideas and programs to help improve the lives of survivors.

"We (staff at the Family Justice Centers) are helping these survivors know they can live, have a life, be normal and be productive," she said. "It's all about empowerment."

Advocates also make sure survivors of domestic violence are taken care of after any court or legal proceedings are finished.

"What we do is make sure they are aware that there is counseling available for them," said Gugel-Plummer. "There is counseling for family members and anyone who really needs it. There is a victim compensation program in case they need compensation for therapy and medical bills. It's very important we are there for them when they need to talk to us."

Victims go through individual therapy to continue to work on issues that can help them. They can build self esteem, battle depression, and help improve their support systems. All of these things are to help provide and maintain stability for the victim and their children.

Many domestic violence shelters as well as advocacy centers dealing with abuse use donations from area businesses, organizations and individuals to help victims. With October being domestic violence awareness month, it is hoped more people might consider donating items to help victims of all violence.

"The community is very helpful in providing some of the things for these women to get back on their feet, said Gerken.

Throughout the year there are events to let people know about domestic violence in the community.

On Oct. 1, all of the churches were asked to ring their bells at 6 p.m. to honor victims of domestic violence and hold them in memory.

At various events, silent victims (cutouts of individuals that represent victims of domestic violence and abuse) are put on display. There is also the Clothesline Project. The project allows victims of violence, including domestic abuse, express their emotions by decorating a shirt which is then hung on a clothesline to be viewed by others.

Currently there are small Clothesline Projects on display at the Sherwood Public Library, Defiance Public Library, Chief Supermarkets and Legal Aid of Northwest Ohio. House of Ruth sponsors some of the displays.

For more information or to talk to someone about domestic abuse, call the House of Ruth at 419-782-1100 or 800-782-8555, Center for Child and Family Advocacy at 419-782-1314, Women & Family Services at 419-782-4906 or Sarah's House at 419-782-0911.