Ending the Cycle of Violence in West Virginia

The YWCA of Charleston, WV is proud to once again take part in the “A Better West Virginia Challenge” in celebration of West Virginia Day. In last year’s post, we discussed stereotypes in West Virginia and how our organization’s mission of eliminating racism was (and still is) and integral component to redefining these stereotypes of the Mountain State. This year, we want to discuss the issue of domestic violence – a horrific problem that continues to plague West Virginia at alarming rates. Our challenge is to identify an obstacle that hinders West Virginia; therefore, today the YWCA of Charleston is stepping up to start a discussion on ending the cycle of domestic violence in our state.

The YWCA of Charleston believes that all people – women, men and children – have the right to live their lives free of violence, oppression, and intimidation. Our very nation was founded on this premise. However, domestic violence directly violates these rights and makes the home a place of terror instead of a place of peace.

According to the West Virginia State Police Crime Statistics Report, there were 14,315 reported incidents of domestic violence in the state in 2006 (most recent data). Of these, 10,530 of the victims were female and 3,518 were male. The report noted 38 domestic violence homicides statewide that year – an average of one every 9.5 days. Our state’s judicial system defines domestic violence as any of several acts between family or household members, including: causing, attempting to cause, or placing another in reasonable apprehension of physical harm; creating fear of physical harm by harassment, psychological abuse or threatening acts; committing sexual assault or sexual abuse; and holding, confining, detaining or abducting another person against their will.

As a whole, the state of West Virginia is taking a step in the right direction to eliminating domestic violence and making our state a safe place beginning in the home. On April 2, YWCA representatives joined other domestic violence advocates for Domestic Violence Prevention Day at the state capitol to educate lawmakers and the public about this ongoing horrific problem in our state. They showed their support for House Bill 2739 which, among other things, calls for Emergency Protective Orders to be served faster. We are also encouraged by the Supreme Court of Appeals’ initiative to have a new statewide Domestic Violence Registry up and running by this fall, which will facilitate communication about domestic violence protection orders so law enforcement can always access up-to-date information about domestic violence cases.

Although these are steps in the right direction, it will take far more than government, law enforcement, and service providers like the YWCA to fully combat this issue. It takes the entire community to look after our friends and neighbors and be positive role models to our children and students. It was only a matter of weeks before our community fell back into complacency after a young woman was violently murdered by her boyfriend in broad daylight at a Charleston Taco Bell. Where is the outrage now, when domestic violence incidents continue to rise?

Working with statewide organizations like the West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the YWCA of Charleston hopes to set an example to other domestic violence programs across the state through the YWCA Resolve Program by offering secure shelter and emergency services to all domestic violence victims regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or socioeconomic status. Equally important are the classes we and other organizations provide to help male and female perpetrators end this cycle of violence by identifying abusive behaviors, recognizing the effects of violence on others, accepting responsibility for their behavior and developing healthier relationship skills. Our free counseling, victim support groups, court advocacy and monitored child visitation & exchange further move us toward our goal of breaking this horrendous cycle.

While these are important steps in our objective to eliminate domestic violence in our community and our state, far more work lies ahead. Most importantly, funding for domestic violence programs is critical and we thank the legislature and the governor for providing a supplemental appropriation of $1 million to fund these programs. Please join us in rising up as a community and saying “no more” to the cycle of violence.