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By: Deni O'Brien  Domestic violence itself is a threat to the safety of a victim, but some aggravating circumstances increase their risk of being greatly harmed or murdered. It's important to recognize these warning signs and educate victims on the threat this poses to them and the importance of fleeing. A couple of main indicators of a high lethality risk in abusive relationships are strangulation incidents and weapons in the home.
When a victim of domestic violence calls our crisis line for help, there are typically several things they are trying to solve at once. Often, they call about resources for shelter, long-term housing, employment, childcare, financial support, or filing for a protection order. Because a victim's health is often the last thing on their mind when fleeing and trying to tackle so many other things, we, as Victim Advocates, must take the time to address this with victims and assess for any health needs. When discussing the different types of abuse a victim has experienced, we listen carefully for any disclosure of strangulation or head injuries. Any history of strangulation puts a victim at higher risk of homicide at the hands of their abuser. Of women who experience intimate partner violence, 68% will experience near-fatal strangulation (Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention). The chance of homicide increases by 750% for victims who have experienced strangulation, compared to victims who have never been strangled (Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention). Strangulation means the obstruction of airflow and blood vessels in the neck, meaning loss of consciousness can happen within seconds, and death can occur in minutes. When a victim survives an incident of strangulation, they may experience damage to their throat tissue, memory loss, vision issues, psychosis, brain damage, and even death weeks after the incident due to respiratory complications or blood clots. Typically, victims and their loved ones are unaware of just how seriously strangulation should be taken and that their lives are at risk. Assessing if a victim has experienced strangulation from their abuser and educating them on the impacts can be a matter of life or death. A second thing Victim Advocates are on high alert for is if there are any weapons in the home. As Victim Advocates, we are not just asking if the abuser has threatened the victim with weapons. We want to know if the abuser even owns or has access to firearms. The presence of a gun in domestic violence situations increases the risk of homicide for women by 500%. More than half of women killed by gun violence are killed by family members or intimate partners (National Domestic Violence Hotline). Even after a victim has successfully fled abuse, people willing to commit homicide against their victims often will not be stopped by a protection order. Once we hear any mention of a weapon, safety planning is of utmost importance to protecting the lives of victims and their loved ones. A victim is not able to address something they are unaware of. The more knowledge they have, the better they can understand what this means for their health and safety. If you or somebody you know is experiencing domestic violence, we highly encourage you to reach out to our crisis line and connect with a Victim Advocate. We are here to educate victims, assist with their needs, and change the course of their lives. We want to see every victim we encounter become safe, healthy, and self-sufficient. By: Cheyenne Taylor and Savannah Archer  Trauma-informed care describes an approach in health care and social sectors that reviews a person's life experiences to provide the most effective outcomes. At Beacon of Hope Crisis Center, we understand that each victim is different and unique and has varying preferences for how they would like to be supported. We recognize that we will not hear every detail of a victim’s background and that every person we encounter has their own story and history of trauma. We let victims lead and never force them to do anything. Victim advocates show up to help victims learn about abuse, identify options, and make personalized plans that meet their needs. We do our part to give them the tools to empower them to make the best decisions for themselves. Victim advocates also do their part to engage in continued training and education to help victims in whatever they face. For example, victimization from an intimate partner increases a victim’s risk for depression, PTSD, substance use, and suicidal ideation (National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma, and Mental Health). The effects of domestic violence and sexual assault can be more complicated by factors including mental health, addiction, ability, race, immigration status, cultural beliefs, and more. Keeping these things in mind encourages us to check in with victims physically and mentally. This is also why we’ve enhanced our adaptability to serve all victims. Beacon of Hope Crisis Center has translated materials to raise awareness, interpreters are readily available, and our website has integrated Recite Me assistive technology to enable our web visitors to customize their digital experience to suit their needs.
The impacts of COVID-19 have also put additional stress on victims and their families. Victims are struggling to find housing, employment, and healthcare. These are all essential to maintaining independence and alleviating mental health crises. We are grateful to offer victims free domestic violence and sexual assault counseling. However, some victims need mental health resources with treatment for different conditions, medication, and an approach with a healthcare team. Victim advocates have also strengthened healthcare referral options, including helping victims obtain insurance, connect with a primary care doctor, access emergency healthcare, and, when necessary, connect to specialists for head, neck, and strangulation injuries. We help victims find affordable housing and new and better employment, learn about credit, and work toward their financial goals. To do those things, mental and physical health come first. Many victims are used to ignoring or pushing their own needs aside. Through the intake and follow-up process, we encourage victims to care for themselves, as it is an essential part of their healing journey. We could not make progress for those in need without building rapport, listening, and recognizing there is always more to learn. We often see that when a victim contacts us for help, it is not the first time they experienced victimization. Children who witness violence have a higher chance of experiencing abusive relationships or becoming abusers themselves. Additionally, people who have experienced abuse previously in relationships have a higher risk of revictimization (National Library of Medicine). Asking about their history of violence can help us identify solutions, which might help them process current and past trauma. No matter how long it has been since the abuse occurred, victims deserve access to confidential support, free services, and help navigating the next steps without judgment. There are no timeline criteria for victims seeking our services. Whenever they are ready, we are there to listen and believe them. By: Cheyenne Taylor and Savannah Archer  Victims of domestic violence endure a high percentage of stalking and harassment victimization during and after a relationship ends. Beacon of Hope Crisis Center saw a 47% increase in victims who experienced stalking and harassment from 2020 to 2022. Specifically, technology-facilitated abuse has been on the rise. Victims have reported abusers tracking their phone activity and location through apps, tracking their physical location with the use of Tile Trackers and Apple Air Tags, improper use of other GPS devices, monitoring inside their homes with hidden cameras, misuse of doorbell cameras for surveillance, and other devices manipulated to perpetrate abuse. Our agency can now assist with checking a victim's vehicle for tracking devices; if found, that information can be reported and added to a protective order request for the court's consideration. We are also seeing victims report that abusers are using different apps to send messages when phone numbers or emails are blocked. Stalkers use apps such as social media platforms, banking, school sites, and other sites that don't always have traditional means of blocking content. Victim advocates complete training to help victims create technology and social media safety plans. There is no time to waste when it comes to securing accounts.  Technology abuse is prevalent in our increasingly digital society. When abusers cannot access victims in person, they often use technology to monitor, harass, and stalk the victims. This gives abusers more access to perpetrate harm without disrupting their own lives and responsibilities. In one study, the National Network to End Domestic Violence reported that 71% of abusers monitor victims’ device activities, and 54% download stalkerware onto their partners’ devices. It is debilitating for a victim's mental health and affects their ability to utilize technology how the average person does: to take a break from their stressors. When the victim spends significant time at home, like following a medical procedure, working remotely, or during a global pandemic, abuse can become more pervasive. Reports show that the pandemic increased the rate and severity of technology abuse experienced. The pandemic also impacted abusers’ free time due to the loss of employment and working from home, which allowed them to modify or explore technology in new ways to harm victims. Technology abuse has been on the rise, and as technology develops and changes, so will the methods that abusers use to cause digital harm. Commonly, technology abuse can look like tracking devices, harassing messages, demands for intimate pictures or photos, and publishing private information about the victim. Spoofing is another example of technological abuse where the abuser disguises their messages or phone number to impersonate someone or to get around blocked contact settings. We are focused on enhancing prevention and safety planning for all victims at risk of technology-facilitated abuse. Senate Bill 161 passed, and Indiana now has a new law, unlawful surveillance. This bill adds a prohibition against using a tracking device to the list of conditions a court may impose when issuing a protection order. It also increases the penalty for stalking to a Level 5 felony if the offense is committed using a tracking device. A person who knowingly or intentionally places a tracking device on an individual or the individual's property without the individual's knowledge or consent commits unlawful surveillance, a Class A misdemeanor, unless certain exceptions apply, and increases the penalty to a Level 6 felony if the person is the subject of a protective order or has certain prior convictions. This change in the legislature establishes sentence enhancement if a person uses a tracking device to commit or facilitate the commission of a crime. Beacon of Hope Crisis Center will continue to advocate for victims, adapt to the changing times, and request improvements in the legislature to hold abusers accountable.
By: Savannah Tipton  We all know someone who has experienced domestic violence, but we may not know who that is in our lives. Survivors walk among us and are often people we are close with including friends, family, and coworkers. It’s difficult to accept this reality but essential to raise awareness that anyone can be impacted by domestic violence. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, “1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner.” However, domestic violence is not limited to physical abuse. Other types of abuse include emotional, psychological, spiritual, financial, sexual, and digital. Domestic violence happens daily, and survivors often feel silenced and alone. We want all survivors to know that free and confidential resources are available.
We can all act as an ally to survivors by educating ourselves about domestic violence warning signs and red flags. If you identify warning signs or red flags of domestic violence in your network or your own life, reach out to a local domestic violence agency to discuss next steps and the resources available to you. Talking about domestic violence saves lives. It’s important that we speak up when something does not feel right. Warning Signs of Domestic Violence
Perpetrators of domestic violence are often likable and charismatic. There is no single description for all abusers. They are not always lurking in the shadows or threatening to the outside world as movies might portray. Many abusers get along well socially at work and in their personal lives. Their behavior typically shifts behind closed doors when they are alone with the victim. Most abusers are only violent with their current or past intimate partners (1). They are also extremely manipulative. This includes minimizing the seriousness of the violence, blaming others for their abusive behavior, and breaking down the victim’s self-confidence. Abusers can threaten a victim directly and indirectly including threats of homicide and suicide. Threats and acts of violence are used to take control over the victim. Threats are often made towards friends, family members, children, and pets. A victim might stay in a dangerous situation out of fear for themselves or those they love. “Abusers repeatedly go to extremes to prevent the victim from leaving. In fact, leaving an abuser is the most dangerous time for a victim of domestic violence (2).” Red flags of an Abuser (1)
At Beacon of Hope Crisis Center, we are committed to breaking the cycle while empowering victims and survivors to take back their life. From providing emotional support to safety planning, let us be your advocate. For more information, contact our Confidential Crisis Line: (317) 731-6140. If you are in a life-threatening situation, call 9-1-1 immediately. SOURCE: By: Katie Schneider  Domestic violence and sexual assault can cause lifelong negative impacts on a victim’s mental and physical health. Victims that are in marginalized communities face more barriers to accessing services than those who do not. A marginalized community is a group of people who for whatever reason are denied involvement in mainstream economic, political, cultural and social activities. [1] They tend to be underserved when it comes to receiving services for domestic violence and sexual assault. People who are living with trauma from domestic violence and sexual assault within these communities may be scared to turn to those that can help them (community resources or law enforcement).
Beacon of Hope Crisis Center breaks down barriers by offering services to everyone that walks through our door or calls our crisis line. We work alongside community partners to provide language services, refer clients to free legal assistance, safe housing, and much more. Training our advocates to be culturally aware and helping to make survivors feel as comfortable as possible in times of healing. Beacon of Hope Crisis Center also provides services at no cost to any of our clients. Free and completely confidential. This way there is no economic barrier to receiving services either. Our Economic Sustainability Program aims to empower survivors to become self-sufficient and financially independent after experiencing abuse. Domestic violence and sexual assault alike do not discriminate against race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, citizenship status or any other demographic. It can happen to anyone. No one deserves to live in the grip of domestic violence or sexual assault. Abuse is never the victim’s fault. Beacon of Hope Crisis Center serves ALL individuals seeking assistance after domestic violence or sexual assault victimization. Call our confidential and toll free crisis line to speak with an advocate. Crisis Line: (317) 731-6140. [1] https://yali.state.gov/five-ways-to-be-an-ally-to-marginalized-groups/ -groups/ By: Savannah Tipton  Society has typically associated feelings of grief to the death of a loved on. We can understand that someone may have difficulty processing the death despite the circumstance (illness, accidents, etc.). When we expand the definition of grief to include other things that are lost, society gives less acknowledgement or validation. Survivors of domestic violence may experience grief over lost self-esteem, loss of their home and the life they knew, or even the future they once planned for. They may experience this grief during and after the relationship has ended. There are many reasons survivors do not disclose abuse (humiliation, fear, guilt, shame) and this can further complicate feelings of grief. Survivors need access to support as they start their healing journey. Some may find support from friends and family while others turn to professionals.
To better understand the connection between grief and domestic violence, we must first look to all that a survivor of domestic violence may lose or leave behind after being victimized (see below). Together we can become more educated and give survivors validation to grieve or mourn all that they have lost. Advocates are available to validate feelings of grief and connect clients to supportive services and free counseling. Confidential Crisis Line: (317) 731-6140 Losses Which Are Grieved
By Savannah Tipton  Domestic violence is present in all communities regardless of age, race, gender, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, religion, or nationality. Despite its prevalence we still have a hard time talking about it. We cannot begin addressing the problem if we cannot have a conversation about it. What can you do? It’s simple, you can start by learning more about domestic violence today.
Domestic violence is a systematic pattern of power and control in any intimate relationship. Abuse can be physical, emotional/psychological, verbal, financial, spiritual, or sexual. There may be no physical marks that someone is abused and each situation is unique. Since the effects of domestic violence can be hidden, we need to stand together and speak up against domestic violence. The cycle of abuse helps us to understand the patterns of domestic violence. It starts with tension building, a period that might include verbal abuse as the abuser becomes agitated or critical. That is followed by a violent outburst. After the outburst, the abuser is very apologetic and may ask for forgiveness. The cycle is not set on any designated time frame and can change over the course of a relationship. Understanding the cycle of abuse can help victims along with their families and friends identify abuse. Victim Advocates at Beacon of Hope Crisis Center are here to help. If you are a victim of domestic violence or sexual assault Contact Us today to get help. If you are in a life-threatening situation, call 9-1-1 immediately. Share statistics, resources in your area, stories, and more to help the victims in your life. |
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This blog is about our domestic and sexual violence crisis center, Beacon of Hope. We hope you find it full of helpful information, motivation, creativity, serious facts and positivity. We hope that it will help you know what is happening in our center, in our community and with our events. We hope you follow our blog in support of our organization and our mission. Archives
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