Domestic violence intolerable

It is most fortunate victims of domestic violence in Park County have Crisis Intervention Services (CIS) to provide protection, shelter and advocacy for them during and following a violent situation.

It is regrettably unfortunate such a program is necessary.

Lisa Peterman, who recently retired after serving as the program’s executive director for the last 25 years, said CIS helps about 400 clients a year  –  about 250 adults and 150 children. That number should shock and concern any reasonable, caring individual.

Peterman said what all batterers have in common is “a sense of entitlement. They feel they own their partner.”

According to Docvita, an online therapy network, “Although many factors may lead to one becoming an offender, studies suggest that domestic violence is a learned behavior.

“It can arise due to a childhood traumatic event such as witnessing constant acts of cruelty and mistreatment.

“Often, the violators have been a victim of domestic assault in the past. Hence, they tend to be controlling and resort to maltreatment to gain power over the victim,” the report said.

Alcohol and substance abuse are often major factors leading to domestic violence.

According to a report by the Connection for Abused Women and Children, a nonprofit advocacy organization, research has shown a clear link between drugs and alcohol with domestic violence. The study reports around 40-60% of reported domestic abuse situations involved alcohol or drug abuse.

And according to a recent University of Oxford study, men who are dependent on alcohol or drugs are six or seven times more likely to be involved in domestic abuse against women than other men.

Although a utopian view would envision a future with domestic violence eradicated, realistically that is not going to be the case. However, we should never perceive domestic violence as acceptable or inevitable.

If you are aware of possible domestic abuse of a friend or relative, plead with them to seek professional help. If you are the victim of domestic violence, call law enforcement or CIS immediately.

Any opportunity to prevent a case of domestic violence means one or more innocent individuals no longer has to suffer.