-------------------------------------------------
The public needs to know 2.1
Dayrel Hill
February 10, 2014
English 105
Professor Dettmann
February 10, 2014
English 105
Professor Dettmann

Introduction

This handout was created to inform people about the seriousness of domestic violence, and the services available. To let people know that there is help out of a nightmarish situation and that you don’t have to feel alone, because you are not alone. We will discuss the economic situation at hand, why the programs are needed, and the process of services and the benefits of the program.
Economic situation
When any of physical form of violence occurs, the intent is to cause harm, usually mild to severe bodily injury. But, domestic violence can also cause emotional damage as well. Such damages incur costly medical expenses. These cost can exceed a little over 4 billion dollars per year. (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 2007) Some of these victims don’t have the medical insurance to cover the cost. Not only does acts of domestic violence cost us in medical services. The emotional and physical tolls that the victim suffers can have an effect on the community around them. Whether, it be family, friends, neighbors, co-workers. These injuries can cause victim to miss work, school and other activities.
Domestic violence is much more than just a male/female (usually intimate) violence encounters. Domestic violence is a much more diverse and broad problem. Domestic violence affects all age, race, genders, religion and sexual orientation. It also comes various forms, sexual, emotional, physical, psychological and even economical. Like a cancer it spreads and affect the abused as well as the people around them. According to the National Coalition against Domestic Violence, not all case are reported and only 85% are female victims. (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 2007) So, with that statement, one can only imagine if the 15 percent of the victims who could be man and children is a little more than to be believed? Well, studies show that domestic violence although can occur anywhere to anybody, it’s has a higher rate of frequency among poverty stricken to middle class homes. (Renzetti, 2009) But Why? Why aren’t people reporting this crime at the time it happens? Why the middle class is affected so much? And why is the rate of women so high?
Why it is needed?
There are a lot of variables to each case of domestic violence. But, fear seems to be the cause of why people are not reporting these crimes. The biggest problem we face is that most victims won’t call for help and report the crime done to them for a number of reasons. But this handout’s purpose is to let you know that there is no need to fear and that you don’t need to feel ashamed. There are service here to help you cope and protect you from further harm. This is the message we want to get out to the people. You are not alone.
The Process
There are a variety of programs to help with each situation of domestic violence. The act of physical domestic violence does not have to occur for you to use the services. If you fear it could escalate to placing you and /or you family in danger it can be used. Most domestic violence programs and hotline are available 24/7. The National Domestic Violence Hotline has coalitions in each state including the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. It even has a prompt that gives up a special number to call if you fear that your internet is being monitored. (The National Domestic Violence Hotline , 2014) The DCADV (Delaware Coalition against Domestic Violence) offer a wide variety of local programs and legal remedies to get you the help you need and keep you safe. There are also shelters, intervention programs and other agencies at your disposal. For children and adults, both men and women.
The biggest benefit of using the programs is safety and a sound piece of mind. Being in a situation where you do feel safe at home or fear the actions of a loved one, can weigh heavy on one’s soul. It’s an emotionally, physically and spiritually draining situation and a hard one to cope from afterwards. All of the services are free of charge and anyone, from any background can use these services. Even if you are not a victim, just a concerned citizen can call the hotline to help stop or prevent a crime is a huge benefit to the community. It lets offender know that people are aware, in hopes to deter the crime.
In hopes that this information will make more people aware the domestic violence can happen anywhere, at any time, to anyone, and given the variety of services available. Either more people will report the crime and get the help needed or this information will deter the crime from happening all together. In any case, domestic violence is a big problem. A problem where anybody and everybody can become a solution to. Please, if you come across someone in need or you need help yourself. Know that you are not alone it this fight against domestic violence.

References
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. (2007, July). Retrieved from www.ncadv.org: http://www.ncadv.org/files/DomesticViolenceFactSheet(National).pdf
Renzetti, C. M. (2009, Sept). Retrieved from National Online Resource Center on Viloence Against Women: http://new.vawnet.org/Assoc_Files_VAWnet/AR_EconomicStress.pdf
The National Domestic Violence Hotline . (2014, February). Retrieved from http://www.thehotline.org/.