FARMINGTON – There is no excuse for domestic abuse. Yet, it happens all too frequently. In Maine, the crime of domestic assault, as reported to the police occurs every 96 minutes. (Maine Department of Public Safety, Uniform Crime Report, 2005.)
Some people believe that domestic abuse is a private matter. It is not. Domestic abuse is a crime, and carries far too many societal ramifications to be considered private. Domestic violence affects everyone. Nationally, health related costs related to domestic violence exceed $5.8 billion annually. As long as domestic abuse is tolerated there will be economic consequences that impact everyone. Fortunately we all can be part of the solution. Help for people that are seeking to leave abusive relationships is most effective when it comes through a coordinated community response.
In Franklin County the Abused Women’s Advocacy Project (AWAP) is available to provide information and support to people affected by domestic abuse. On Oct. 1 at 6:30 p.m. the Abused Women’s Advocacy Project is holding a Vigil of Remembrance at the Gazebo in the Meetinghouse Park in Farmington. The purpose of this Vigil is to honor those who have lost their lives to domestic violence, and offer hope and support to survivors of abuse. There will be symbolic purple lighting remaining in the Gazebo for the month of October. The purple lights are part of a nationwide campaign to raise awareness of domestic violence and serve as a beacon of hope for the future.
No one deserves to be abused. Unfortunately, one of the most effective tactics that people who choose to behave abusively use to control their partner is isolation. This makes accessing services extremely difficult. Abuse takes many forms. Someone does not need to be physically hit to be abused. Domestic abuse is a pattern of coercive behavior in which one intimate partner chooses to control the other through threats or actual use of physical violence, sexual assault, and verbal or psychological abuse. Many people in abusive relationships feel shame, fear and confusion. A common observer question is “Why doesn’t the abuse victim just leave?” The real question needs to be, “Why doesn’t the abuser stop behaving abusively?”
Events such as the Vigil help to spread the message that domestic abuse should never be tolerated. We sincerely hope that this event will help those who are seeking support to feel welcome to reach out for the services that are available in our community. Please join us for this Vigil of Remembrance and do your part to help send the message that domestic abuse is not an option here in our community. For more information please contact, Jessica Dorr, community educator for Franklin County by phone at 778-6297 or by email: jdorr@awap.org, or contact AWAP’s 24 hour helpline: 1-800-559-2927.
