Sometimes it seems we have a month for every possible cause: Women's History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, Black History Month — all worthy of commemoration. But Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October stands apart because it marks a national tragedy we cannot ignore.

Domestic violence deaths range from the horrific stories such as Shanann Watts, killed along with her unborn child and two daughters, by her husband, to those that die anonymous and alone and never make the news.

Statistics tell us that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men experience severe intimate partner physical violence in their lifetime. There are 16,800 homicides and $2.2 million worth of (medically treated) injuries due to intimate partner violence annually, which costs $37 billion.

In 2021, 91 people died in a domestic violence-related incident in Colorado — the highest number since 2016. 36.8% of Colorado women and 30.5% of Colorado men experience intimate partner physical violence, intimate partner sexual violence and/or intimate partner stalking in their lives.

The scourge of domestic abuse is difficult to address because it is deeply ingrained in our culture. In early Roman law, a man could beat, divorce or even murder his wife with impunity.

In early America, English law affected the colonies' response to domestic matters. In the 1800s, laws allowed a man to beat his family. It wasn't until the 1870s that states began to ban those 'rights'.

Prior to the mid-19th century, American law often accepted or ignored a husband abusing his wife or girlfriend. It was commonplace to see a husband toss his wife over his knee and 'spank' her for some random offense in movies and eventually on television.

Domestic violence is also often passed from one generation to the next, resulting in a cycle of trauma and violence that scars children trapped in situations they cannot escape. Being in an abusive home can lead to juveniles who take to crime, drug abuse or violent relationships.

It's time to change the narrative and address this vicious cycle. There's a belief that only women care about domestic violence and that needs to end. As a nation, we should address this shocking behavior.

Unfortunately, there is still a stigma to admitting that one is living in a violent situation. Because domestic violence typically happens behind closed doors, it is often a dark secret no one acknowledges. No one wants to talk about this issue, but those conversations need to take place.

There has been some progress in the last few years.

As today's Perspective column from Violence Free Colorado says, change and healing is possible. But we still need more resources and solutions. Colorado has several agencies that address domestic violence and family trauma:

— SafeHouse Denver serves survivors of domestic violence and their children through an Emergency Shelter, a nonresidential Counseling & Advocacy Center and an Extended Stay Program. 24-Hour Crisis & Information Line: 303-318-9989.

— Rocky Mountain Crisis Partners (RMCP) is a statewide, 24/7, year-round, community-based system of crisis intervention services from which people experiencing mental health and/or substance abuse crises can be assessed, safely and effectively stabilized, and efficiently linked to appropriate follow-up care and services. 844-493-8255 (24 hour/7 days a week).

— TESSA in Colorado Springs, offers confidential support and services for victims of Inter-Personal Violence, Sexual Assault, Stalking or Human Trafficking and their children. 719-633-3819

— Kingdom Builder's Family Life Center, offers community-based assistance to those impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. 719-247-8190.

— National Domestic Violence Hotline

Hours: 24/7. Languages: English, Spanish and 200+ through interpretation service. Learn more: 800-799-7233.

The Gazette Editorial Board

REPRINTED FROM THE COLORADO SPRINGS GAZETTE

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