CULLMAN, Ala. – Cullman Mayor Woody Jacobs on Monday officially proclaimed the month of October 2020 Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) in the city of Cullman. The proclamation was presented to representatives of Victim Services of Cullman, Inc., (VSOC), a nonprofit organization founded in 1991 to provide emergency shelter in Cullman County for victims of domestic violence. VSOC representatives present included Community Educator Olivia Heptinstall, Court Advocate Charlotte Jones and Financial Officer Hillary Collins.
“I appreciate all that the folks at Victim Services do in Cullman,” said Jacobs. “Domestic violence does happen here, and we appreciate those who stand in the gap.”
Domestic violence is defined by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) as “willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior as part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another.” Domestic violence is prevalent in every community and affects all people regardless of age, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, or nationality. In the United States, more than 10 million adults experience domestic violence annually. Domestic violence all too often results in physical injury, psychological trauma, or even death – and it’s devastating consequences can last a lifetime and even cross generations.
The purple ribbon has been adopted as the symbol of DVAM and is used to remember and honor those who have lost their lives at the hands of a person they once loved and trusted. Purple ribbons are displayed during the month of October to raise awareness of the crime of domestic violence and to convey the message that there’s no place for domestic violence in our homes, neighborhoods, workplaces or schools.
In Cullman during DVAM, the public is invited to show their support for survivors of domestic violence through the Purple Pumpkin Project.
“Folks can drop off a decorated purple pumpkin at our office [310 Third Ave. NE) and receive a free T-shirt,” said Heptinstall. “The pumpkins will be on display throughout the month of October.”
MORE ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Intimate partner violence typically involves sexual or physical violence, psychological aggression (including coercive acts), and stalking by either current or former intimate partners. According to NCADV statistics, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner. On average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. On a typical day, domestic violence hotlines receive approximately 21,000 calls – that’s approximately 15 calls every minute! Intimate partner violence accounts for 15% of all violent crime. In Alabama, 31% of women and 26.9% of men experience intimate partner physical or sexual violence and/or stalking.
There are multiple known and suspected negative health outcomes of domestic violence. Aside from the long-term consequences of broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, and internal injuries, victims of domestic violence often develop conditions such as asthma, insomnia, fibromyalgia, headaches, high blood pressure, chronic pain, gastrointestinal disorders, gynecologic disorders, depression, panic attacks, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Children who witness domestic violence are at an increased risk for PTSD, aggressive behavior, anxiety, impaired development, difficulty interacting with peers, academic problems, and a higher incidence of substance abuse.
Without treatment, domestic violence usually recurs and escalates in both frequency and severity.
ABOUT VICTIM SERVICES OF CULLMAN, INC.
Victim Services of Cullman, Inc., (VSOC) was established in 1991 to help victims of domestic violence. In 1996, VSOC added Rape Response and Prevention programming for residents of Cullman and Winston counties. In 2019, in response to a need for longer term shelter and recovery services for emergency shelter guests, VSOC established a Transition Shelter.
VSOC provides emergency services and supportive services to victims seeking to end family violence with the stated mission to “lead the community in the prevention of and recovery from domestic and sexual violence by providing shelter, crisis response, advocacy, and education to residents of Cullman and Winston Counties, all in an effort to promote peace in every family.” Their ultimate goal is to end domestic violence in Cullman County. Some of the services VSOC provides include:
- -24-hour HELPline
- -An emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence
- -Individual counseling for survivors and their family members
- -Support groups for survivors and their children
- -Medical and legal accompaniment and advocacy
- -Risk assessments and safety planning
- -Case management
- -Children’s advocacy
- -Interpreter services
- -Empowerment classes
- -Parenting classes
- -Referrals for housing, employment, and other services
- -Education and outreach programs
To find out more about Victim Services of Cullman, Inc., or to find out more about DVAM or the #PurplePumpkinProject, call 256-775-2600, email help@victimservices.online, or visit www.victimservices.online.
If you are in a domestic violence situation, call the VSOC 24-Hour HELPline at 256-734-6100 (English) or 256-708-4769 (Español) or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
