Men must act to stop domestic violence

In an Oct. 8 Anchorage Daily News article headlined “Intervene to protect children from abuse,” Gov. Sean Parnell calls on the residents of Alaska to assist in ending domestic violence.

Alaska Family Services has been responding to and working toward preventing domestic violence in the Mat-Su Valley for 32 years. Our agency is home to more than 23 programs that provide services for families from all walks of life. Since domestic violence touches so many families in the Valley, one of the core services we provide is an emergency shelter for women and children, the primary victims of domestic violence.

Alaska Family Services operates a 32-bed, nationally accredited emergency shelter located in Palmer that provides a safe place for women and children to escape domestic violence situations. Once in shelter, survivors are provided with an array of services to help them get back on their feet.

Our agency also offers a state-certified batterer’s intervention program that provides education and rehabilitation for perpetrators of domestic violence. In addition, AFS provides a specialized domestic violence program for mothers who are in need of behavioral health services.

Gov. Parnell calls on us to intervene to protect the children. Alaska Family Services has been doing that for years, providing services for children, as well as their parents. Our children’s outreach advocate is in the schools and out in the community providing domestic violence education at many different levels.

Additionally, our shelter advocates provide one-on-one support for the children in residence at the shelter. They lead a teen domestic violence support group and children’s group to help kids cope with what they’ve experienced. Our groups are well attended, and at any given point can have as many as 20 children participating.

Studies show that children who come from homes where domestic violence is perpetrated grow up to continue the cycle. By educating children in the schools, the community and the shelter, we are working toward ending the cycle of violence.

Unfortunately, most of what AFS does as an agency is designed to provide relief from a traumatic situation.

As a man, and as a director of a domestic violence program, I know there is much more that can be done to prevent domestic violence in the Mat-Su.

Men need to be more proactive in addressing the issues. They need to be role models for their sons and daughters, and “choose respect” rather than looking the other way. Yes, men who commit domestic violence are breaking the law, but they did not start that way. It is a learned response and therefore respect can also be learned.

Donn A. Bennice, Ph.D., is the President and CEO of Alaska Family Services.