Domestic violence remains a very real problem in Carroll County. In 2016, the Carroll County State’s Attorney’s Office provided domestic violence services to 467 people. And that’s just the individuals who came forward. The U.S. Department of Justice estimates a little over half of domestic violence cases are reported to law enforcement, and only about a third of victims seek medical care.
Statistically, victims of domestic violence are overwhelmingly female, but it can happen to anyone — man, woman or child. The broad definition includes violence that often goes on behind closed doors and can include violence by one family member against another, physical and sexual abuse of children and rape of an intimate partner.
Violence in these cases is used as a weapon to control. And it happens everywhere, often right under our noses.
According to the National Network to End Domestic Violence, which sponsors Domestic Violence Awareness Month each October, nearly 20 people are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States each minute. That’s more than 10 million women and men every year. One in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have been victims of some sort of physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime. And intimate partner violence accounts for about 15 percent of all violent crime.
The good news is that more people are finding the strength and courage to come forward each year and report these crimes to the proper authorities. As awareness and services increase, so does prevention and prosecution of the offenders, according to the NNEDV.
Increasing awareness about the problem and the resources available in Carroll County is the goal of the GFWC Woman’s Club of Westminster and Rape Crisis Intervention Service of Carroll County, which have partnered to host a forum on domestic violence.
The event, which begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, at the Carroll Arts Center at 91 W. Main St. in Westminster, will feature a keynote speech from Terry Smack, a well-known business owner in the community and a survivor of domestic violence herself. That will be followed by a forum made up of representatives from organizations that work with survivors of domestic violence discussing what they do, what resources are available and answering audience questions. The improv theater troupe FoolProof will also perform scenes that they hope will help people recognize the signs of domestic violence. After the event, organizations on hand will be available to speak to attendees and provide additional resources.
It should be a powerful presentation, and we encourage anyone who might have or knows someone whom they think might have experienced domestic violence, or anyone who just wants to learn how they can help others to attend.
And if you are currently experiencing intimate partner violence and need help, the county’s domestic violence hotline is open 24 hours and can be reached at 443-865-8031. It can be completely anonymous, but callers can also make appointments with Family and Children’s Services for counseling and other services.
