Is it possible to successfully fight domestic abuse without addressing other forms of violence that permeate our society?
We believe the answer is, “No.”
We can’t fully separate violence that occurs inside the home from other types of violence occurring outside it. The violence we see in the news every day doesn’t fit neatly into categories: Domestic abuse. Racial violence. Politically motivated violence. Violence triggered/motivated by fear of COVID-19.
Violence is a learned behavior. Without intervention, nearly 3 out of 4 boys who witness domestic violence will grow up to be abusive; girls who witness abuse are 11 times more likely to experience abuse as an adult. Nearly 20 people a minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in America – someone who most likely learned their violent behavior from someone else. (ncadv.org)
Racism and its violent expressions are learned behaviors, too. Children aren’t born racist; they can differentiate children of other races, but they don’t exhibit negative attention and actions toward them unless they’re taught that doing so is normal and expected.
Today, this learned violence is ruining a time when we all should be concerned about each other’s health. While the pandemic has brought out the best in some people, it has brought out the worst in others – people taught to express their intolerance of differing viewpoints through physical, verbal or emotional violence, whether it’s over the wearing of a face mask or the “crime” of being Black in America.
Together with you, our supporters, Sheltering Wings is an advocate for victims of intimate partner violence. Together, we work to serve survivors of domestic violence and to educate our communities in a way that will lead to its eradication.
The work isn’t finished.
Join us in advocating for an end to all violence, no matter where it is directed or what its motivation. (A good way to begin is to join us in raising awareness during October, Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.)
Thank you for taking a stand against domestic violence by supporting Sheltering Wings.
