Domestic violence needs multifaceted solution

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. One might ask why we devote an entire month to this issue. One could further ask why, in the 21st century, we still need to devote an entire month to this issue.

About a year ago the University of Alaska Anchorage Justice Center and the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault released their survey results for the Mat Su Borough. In the survey, 1190 adult women were asked about their experiences regarding interpersonal violence and sexual violence. The results included that 45.5 percent of the women in the Mat Su Borough have been a victim of interpersonal violence and 33.7 percent have experienced sexual violence in their lifetime.

The combined number for women experiencing interpersonal violence, sexual violence, or both is 53%. The Mat Su Chapter of the National Organization for Women continues to draw attention to this number by posting signs bearing that 53 percent figure along our roadways.

One of the underlying beliefs about why interpersonal violence continues in our society is that male perpetrators have a sense of entitlement due to their privileged status as men in our culture. This comes across in the form of misogyny: a hatred, dislike, or mistrust of women.

Perpetrators of interpersonal violence will make statements supporting their violence in terms of women “deserving” such treatment.

How does a culture make a shift away from such thinking? We can look at other shifts in attitudes and behaviors that we have made as examples. It was not until 1984 that we had compulsory seat belt requirements. Prior to that people drove without restraints. Once it was determined that people would be safer if they wore seat belts, certain actions were taken to increase the likelihood of people changing their behavior from getting in a car and not buckling up to getting in a car and fastening their seat belt.

One such action was education. Public service announcements re-iterated the need for seat belts as they improved drivers’ and passengers’ safety. Cars include buzzing sounds to remind individuals to “buckle up for safety.” Laws were enacted that drivers could be penalized for not wearing a seat belt. As the years went by it became more common for people to use their seat belts with less resistance to using them.

Another example is smoking in public places. Many people can recall being on airplanes where there was a “smoking section.” Restaurants had smoking sections and most workplaces allowed people to smoke at their desks.

In 1998 the U.S. Department of Transportation banned smoking on all commercial flights. Changes to smoking regulations have occurred across the country. Alaska is currently only one of ten states that does not have a statewide smoking ban. These changes in attitudes and behavior occurred similar to the seat belt transition. We went from viewing commercials of smoking cigarettes to educating about the health risks and especially second hand smoke health risks.

As people became educated and smokers were warned of fines for smoking in non-smoking areas, behaviors started changing. We can see the same approach applied to driving under the influence and the practice of recycling.

In order to shift a culture’s attitudes and behaviors the following has to occur:

1. Education and awareness. In the field of domestic violence this includes having a designated month to draw attention to this problem. It includes calling the National Football Association on their response to players who are violent with their partners. It also includes public service announcements, training for high school students on healthy relationships, training for other professionals on interacting and providing services to individuals impacted by domestic violence, as well as articles and other information provided to help the public have a better understanding of the problem.

2. Consequences. Just as seat belt violators, smokers, and drunk drivers face a criminal justice response, so must perpetrators of domestic violence. Perpetrators must be held accountable for their harmful actions and the victims of that harm must be validated in their experiences.

3. Change programs. Buzzers were used to help people remember to put on their seat belts. Cessation programs are offered to smokers who want to quit smoking and signs are posted to let smokers know where they can and cannot smoke. People who drink and drive are offered assessments for treatment programs to address their alcohol use. Perpetrators of domestic violence must also address their behavior through a change program. Specific programs that address the dynamics of interpersonal violence, assist perpetrators with taking responsibility, and find new ways to think and act are critical in preventing future violence.

As members of a community that would like to see that 53 percent reduced in future years, we can all participate in education, awareness, holding perpetrators accountable and supporting victims of interpersonal violence.

Judy Gette, M.S., is an adjunct professor at Mat-Su College and teaches classes regarding victimization.