{"id":22471,"date":"2022-10-24T19:00:18","date_gmt":"2022-10-24T19:00:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/updates-www.mccdn.io\/vitals\/?p=22471"},"modified":"2024-01-22T17:08:58","modified_gmt":"2024-01-22T17:08:58","slug":"headline-domestic-violence-action-month-learn-the-warning-signs-and-support-survivors-with-compassion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/updates-www.mccdn.io\/vitals\/headline-domestic-violence-action-month-learn-the-warning-signs-and-support-survivors-with-compassion\/","title":{"rendered":"Domestic Violence Action Month: Learn the warning signs and support survivors with compassion","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"

In honor of Domestic Violence Action Month, we asked the YWCA Spokane\u2019s<\/a> community engagement coordinator, Jemma Riedel-Johnson, MSC, to walk us through their Domestic Violence (DV) 101 course and show us how we can take action ourselves.<\/p>\n

Domestic violence can and does impact people from every walk of life, which is why this free DV course is open to anyone in the community, says Riedel-Johnson. With a focus on how to help survivors, learn about their experiences and prevent future incidents, the training is an opportunity to be part of the solution.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a lot of misconceptions floating around in the community. I don\u2019t think people realize how common and pervasive it is, and how complicated it is,\u201d she says. \u201cWe\u2019ve come a long way from thinking DV is a private matter. \u2026 [But] there\u2019s a stigma, especially to come forward as a survivor.\u201d<\/p>\n

YWCA Spokane focuses on providing resources to survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV), which falls under the larger umbrella of DV, Riedel-Johnson explains. The key differentiator is the distinct relationship and\/or attachment between the perpetrator and survivor of IPV.<\/p>\n

What is intimate partner violence?<\/h2>\n

\"Power<\/p>\n

The YWCA Spokane defines domestic violence as a pattern of controlling behavior used to maintain power in a relationship by one partner over the other.<\/p>\n

\u201cA lot of times, people won\u2019t come to us until after it becomes physical,\u201d Riedel-Johnson says. \u201cBut oftentimes, we uncover other things have been going on for some time.\u201d<\/p>\n

To illustrate how IPV can present itself, Riedel-Johnson refers to the Power and Control Wheel (pictured). Physical and sexual violence are on the outside because it\u2019s what people often think of first, but the others within the wheel are much harder to recognize and prove.<\/p>\n

For example, what could begin as one person being \u201cbetter with numbers\u201d and handling the finances can cross the agreed-upon line into economic abuse when requests to change the arrangement are denied and resources are withheld.<\/p>\n

Internal and external warning signs<\/h2>\n

While there will never be two identical scenarios, there are common IPV indicators both survivors and outsiders can recognize, says Riedel-Johnson.<\/p>\n

To those in the relationship, indicators include the use or threats of violence; taking\/withholding money; monitoring phone or social media; controlling appearance; isolating from friends and family; showing feelings of jealousy, possessiveness and insecurity; insulting\/demeaning\/shaming; or forcing sex.<\/p>\n

Those looking from outside the relationship may be able to pick up on these signs: frequent and unexplained injuries; appearing anxious or on edge; always being on the phone; changes in work performance or behavior; arriving late\/leaving early; being overly apologetic; or losing interest in hobbies\/activities.<\/p>\n

Riedel-Johnson says depression and domestic violence often go hand-in-hand, and some of these warning signs can be indicators of one or both.<\/p>\n

\u201cEven with all these listed as potential warning signs, sometimes we will never know what is going on at home,\u201d she says. \u201cPerpetrators are master manipulators and can hide the abuse.\u201d<\/p>\n

Why not just leave, then?<\/h2>\n

Just as perpetrators won\u2019t change unless they want to, many survivors won\u2019t seek support until they are ready or feel safe enough to do so, Riedel-Johnson says.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a long list of reasons someone may stay or return to their relationship:<\/p>\n