WASHINGTON – In the days immediately following the release of the Ray Rice video, a tsunami of women reached out for help.
Calls to the National Domestic Violence Hotline briefly shot up 84 percent, according to officials.
“We’ve heard from people who are reaching out for the first time, from survivors who are triggered by the violence of the video,” Katie Ray-Jones, president of the hotline tells WTOP. “From people who want to know how they can help friends and family, to people who just really want their story heard — everyone’s been really impacted.”
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There’s also been an increase in calls to domestic abuse centers and hotlines nationwide.
Fairfax County’s Domestic Violence Action Center saw a similar spike.
“We’ve been seeing an increase in requests for services, an increase in calls to our hotline, and an increase in seeking shelter,” says Sandy Bromley, Fairfax County-Wide Domestic Violence Coordinator.
The center provides a one-stop shop approach to services needed by stalking and domestic violence victims.
Bromley says the Rice’s domestic violence case has opened up a much-needed conversation about domestic violence, but that conversation needs to continue year-round.
“We want to make sure victims are reaching out. Here in Fairfax County we know domestic violence is a leading cause of homicide. And yet most of those homicide victims never reached out for help before they were murdered,” she says.
Bromley says the county has a low homicide rate, but domestic violence accounts for about half of those deaths every year.
That’s why it’s imperative for victims to know there are resources available to help them, that they are free and accessible, she added.
Domestic violence is a major issue that impacts all communities. One in four women and one in seven men suffer in silence, says Ray-Jones, noting that a safety plan is critical for those who are in an abusive relationship, regardless of whether they plan on staying or leaving.
One of the services the hotline provides is assistance developing a personal safety plan based on that person’s individual and unique circumstances. Ray- Jones says there is no cookie cutter approach to dealing with domestic abuse because each case if different.
A safety plan can include a packed bag with important documents tucked inside, ready to go if needed, plus a place a woman can go if the danger escalates, Bromley says.
The center will work with a victim regardless if they stay or leave an abusive relationship.
“It’s really up to the victim to chose what he or she wants to do,” said Bromley. “So we’re just there to support them with whatever choice they make. If they want to stay in the relationship we can talk to them about how to stay in the relationship safely.”
If you are the victim of domestic violence or know someone who is, there area number of local places that offer help. Find local resources here.
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