By: Mikaela Maloney
Domestic violence is never an easy topic to discuss. It can be sensitive and difficult to
share openly for some. Many may prefer to put the discussion far from them due to the
discomfort it causes.
However, according to The Hotline, the reality is that domestic violence, including
intimate partner violence, affects more than 12 million people yearly. One in four women and
one in seven men in the U.S. have been victims of physical violence by their partner. It must be
noted that domestic violence is not limited to intimate partner violence and can be experienced
within families or even close friends. Many experience rape, physical violence and stalking from
partners or acquaintances, as well as psychological and emotional threats.
These statistics are staggering, and yet according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, only
about half of the cases are reported. Someone you know has likely been a victim of domestic
violence in their lives. What can be done about something so horrendous? And how can we be
better sources of support?
Many domestic violence hotlines are available, with The Hotline reporting that around
1.2 million people contact them for help every year. If someone feels unsafe, they provide ways
to safely navigate the hotline website without leaving traces on one’s search history.
Southern Adventist University also provides free confidential counseling and support
services, as well as referrals for students who may need help navigating life when their ability to
function has been impacted. They strongly encourage individuals to call 911 immediately if he or
she is in a life-threatening situation. Southern also encourages students to contact campus safety
for help or to escort them if they feel unsafe at any point.
There are clear resources accessible to individuals, yet some still feel that they are not
enough, and cases remain unreported.
According to the Stepping Stone Shelter organization, the most common reasons such incidents
are not reported are fear of judgement and retaliation, not fully realizing how bad the situation is,
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a lack of faith in the justice system and self-blame.
It must be made abundantly clear that domestic violence is never the victim’s fault. This
is an idea that many victims struggle with, that they are the ones to blame for any emotional,
psychological or physical trauma. We should never perpetuate that stigma as it greatly affects
those who have endured it.
When asked if he would feel safe reporting acts of domestic violence and if he thought he
would be heard, one anonymous Southern student responded, “I would probably not feel entirely
safe reporting it, depending on the nature of the abuse. And unfortunately, I think the odds of me
being taken seriously would probably be low, given that I am a guy.”
Two more anonymous students stated, “Even if something were to happen, I don’t feel
like anyone would actually do anything about it,” and “I don’t really know… I feel like I’d be
afraid to report someone I live with. Because if I’m not believed, and there’s a chance I wouldn’t
be, the person would probably find out and make things worse.”
Alle Jackson, a psychology major with a focus on family systems said, “I probably
wouldn’t feel safe reporting, and it’s a toss-up on whether I’d be heard or not… really depends
on who’s working on the other end that day.”
Nestor Perez, a sophomore music education and voice major, said yes, he would feel safe,
but he still was not sure if he would be heard.
“I know there’s a lot going on right now,” he said, “… but I pray that as a Christian
college, an Adventist college, that we are heard and that we are protected, and that we feel safe
to go and report if something like this ever happens.”
As community, friends and loved ones, we have a duty of love to hear those around us.
We have a duty to care for them and help them get the support and safety they need to be at
peace. We are called to be compassionate and to “learn to do good; seek justice, rebuke the
oppressor; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow” (Isaiah 1:17).
We never know what someone may be facing or dealing with on their own. So let us
share the love of God to others, learn to do good and seek justice for them.
