Catholic Health Initiatives creates domestic violence prevention program

CHI’s North Dakota Violence Prevention Program is honoring October 2019 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). Our dedicated staff will use DVAM as an opportunity to inform domestic violence victims and the community about available help and resources. This DVAM, we encourage everyone to do “#1 Thing” to show that violence and abuse have no place in our community.

The statistics associated with domestic violence are epidemic. On a typical day in the U.S., three women are killed by a current or former intimate partner and more than 20,000 phone calls are placed to domestic violence hotlines. According to CAWS North Dakota, the state sexual assault and domestic violence coalition, last year 5,172 new domestic violence victims received services; these included transportation, emergency shelter, safety planning assistance, information on the criminal justice system, and referrals for other services.

Domestic violence is a major health issue. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that women who have experienced domestic violence are 80% more likely to have a stroke, 70% more likely to have heart disease, and 60% more likely to have asthma. In addition, domestic violence can lead to long-lasting mental health consequences including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and issues with alcohol or drug abuse.

Eight Catholic Health Initiative facilities in North Dakota joined together to create the CHI North Dakota Violence Prevention Program. This program is working to end the stigma surrounding domestic violence in our communities by providing trauma-informed training to professionals and healthy relationship workshops to individuals. As part of our DVAM 2019 activities, our associates will be wearing purple pins and our facilities will be displaying awareness materials to honor victims and survivors of domestic violence.

Domestic violence impacts millions of people each year, but it can be prevented. It requires the collective voice and power of individuals, families, institutions and systems. CHI’s North Dakota Violence Prevention Program encourages everyone to do “#1 Thing” this month to end domestic violence. Each of these singular acts will add up to collective action that creates a strong foundation for a world without violence.

No one deserves to live in fear. If you or someone you love is in an unhealthy or abusive relationship, help and support is available. Call the national domestic violence hotline at (800) 799-7233 to talk to a trained domestic violence advocate today. To learn more about local services visit http://www.cawsnorthdakota.org/.