To the Editor:
One of the things I’ve come to appreciate through my involvement with the Women’s Resource Center is just how many assumptions we make about domestic violence — who experiences it, what it looks like, and whether it happens in our own community. The reality is that domestic violence is much closer to home than many of us realize.
That’s why this year’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month theme, “One of Us,” matters. Survivors are our neighbors, friends, coworkers and family members. Domestic violence cuts across age, race, income, education and background. It is not someone else’s problem. It is a community issue, and it affects all of us.
It’s also important to recognize that domestic violence doesn’t always involve physical harm. Abuse can take many forms, including intimidation, isolation, emotional and financial abuse, stalking and controlling behavior. The more we understand about what abuse can look like, the better equipped we are to recognize it and support those experiencing it.
Last year, the Women’s Resource Center served more than 1,100 survivors in our community, responded to more than 1,200 hotline calls and provided thousands of support services. Those numbers are sobering. And each one represents someone in our community who needed help.
October may be ending, but our responsibility doesn’t. We can all do more to understand domestic violence, challenge assumptions, listen without judgment, and make sure people know where to turn for help. If you or someone you know needs support, or if you’d simply like to learn more, visit the Women’s Resource Center at wrcnbc.org.
The message of “One of Us” is not just that domestic violence can happen to anyone. It’s also that we all have a part to play in preventing it and supporting those who experience it.
Gene Thompson-Grove
Newport. Thompson-Grove serves on the board of directors of the Women’s Resource Center.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, the Women’s Resource Center can be reached at wrcnbc.org. Help is also available around the clock through the Rhode Island statewide domestic violence helpline and the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
