Since 1981, October has been designated as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Domestic violence is sometimes misunderstood. First, it's not just about bruises. As breakthecycle.org reports, it's widespread, affecting millions of women - and, at times, men - of every race, religion, culture and status. It's about physical violence, but it's also about yelling, humiliation, stalking, manipulation, coercion, threats and isolation.
Laws have come a long way over the past few decades, including passage of the 1994 federal Violence Against Women Act, which holds offenders accountable and provides programs and services for victims. Between 1993-2010, the overall rate of domestic violence dropped nearly two-thirds and state laws have reformed to address issues such as dating abuse in the workplace, stalking, employment discrimination and more.
Missouri has taken its own steps to curb domestic violence and protect victims. The Missouri Legislature passed a legislation that took effect in August to allow victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking to end their apartment leases by showing their landlord documents of abuse or evidence that their safety is at risk if they stay there.
It also protects victims from being evicted/terminated from their leases.
What can you do here in Mid-Missouri? One local organization that is deserving of your donations - both time and money - is the Rape & Abuse Crisis Service, or RACS.
You can send donations to: RACS, Executive Director, Rape & Abuse Crisis Service, P.O. Box 416, Jefferson City, MO 65102. Checks should be made payable to Rape & Abuse Crisis Service.
If you'd like, you can be one of the organization's network of supporters who help out with urgent in-kind needs when supplies run low. For more information, email [email protected].
Have a used cellphone? It accepts them to give to clients or to be recycled through a program that benefits domestic violence shelters.
RACS also has volunteers who help in a variety of ways. Call 573-634-8346 ext. 3 for more information, or download a volunteer form on the RACS website, racs.org.
Our community's generosity makes big differences in many ways. Supporting good domestic violence legislation and good organizations like RACS will help us to break the cycle of this ugly blotch in our society.
News Tribune