DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AMIDST OLDER AMERICA
Maryann is a seventy-eight year old woman living in her home with an
abusive spouse. Maryann requires home health care during the day, and her
husband provides her care throughout the night. Maryann confides in her home
health care provider, Virginia, that her husband is abusive and that she
needs help and would like to live in a safe place. Maryann says her husband
pushes her down at night, and won’t help her get up. She has had to visit
the emergency room several times due to injuries from these episodes; but
always says she "just falls." Maryann has no income independent from her
spouse. Her children, although aware of the decades of abuse, are unwilling
or unable to assist their mother in relocating to a safe place.
This scenario is real and it is real in Fremont County. Domestic violence
does not occur only to younger, underprivileged people, or even just older,
underprivileged people. Domestic violence knows no age, sex, religious or
socio-economic boundaries. Is it reported? Are we aware? No. Estimates
suggest that 4-5 % of the population age sixty and older experience violence
in their intimate relationships. If this is in fact true there are an
estimated 200 to 250 incidents of domestic violence within this age
population in Fremont County on an annual basis. The criminal justice system
is only aware of three such incidents in 2005.
As our older population increases so does the number of victims of abuse
in this vulnerable group.
"Too ashamed or to scared to speak up, tens of thousands of 50-plus
victims of domestic violence suffer in silence." writes David France in an
article published the January-February 2006 AARP magazine. Historically,
experts have believed that intimate partner violence tapered off around the
age of fifty and that opinion became accepted as fact as fewer older victims
sought assistance through law enforcement, women’s shelters or other
services. We now know that there are unique factors that pose a barrier to
these individuals seeking assistance. The most significant factors that
contribute to non-reporting are shame, older victims feels they "should know
better." Economic dependency, poor health, they are "too old" to start over.
Until recently adult children were thought to be the most common abusers of
their older, more frail parents; however spousal abuse has recently
surpassed abuse by grown children nationwide. As in all family violence the
range of abuse that the vulnerable experience ranges from the obvious
physical and economic abuse to the less obvious social isolation and
emotional abuse.
Health care providers have the greatest opportunity to recognize and
assist older victims of domestic violence. We need to be aware that injuries
and apparent depression may not be a result of falls or declining health.
Many times we miss the obvious – ask the individual if everything is o.k. at
home, if they feel safe in their home, if they have needs that you can
assist them with; if you’re a neighbor care enough to call someone.
The Fremont County Domestic Violence Task Force has individuals available
to assist victims as well as make presentations to groups and organizations
that are interested in more information on this topic. Please call
Dee Hoza or Barb Topliss
at the Office of the District Attorney, 719-269-0170 for further information
or for help if you are a victim or you know someone that is a victim.
A public presentation by the Fremont County Domestic Violence Task Force
on domestic violence in our senior population will be held on Thursday, June
15, 2006 at 7:00 pm at the Canon City Council Chambers. The public is
invited and encouraged to attend.
What is
Domestic Violence?
Colorado law defines it as the infliction of or
threat of infliction of bodily injury or the destruction of threat of
destruction of property as a method of coercion, control, revenge or
punishment upon a person involved in an intimate relationship.
Simply put, it is physical or emotional mistreatment of you by your spouse
or companion. It can involve hitting, punching, pushing, kicking or
any action that is intended to injure or harm you. It can also involve
threats to harm you or your family and friends, pets and possessions.
Is
Domestic Violence a crime?
Domestic
violence is the most common of all unreported crimes in America.
Only one out of ten incidents is reported to law enforcement officials.
In Colorado, anyone who is convicted of a crime in which domestic violence
is involved will be ordered by the court to get an evaluation and counseling
for domestic violence. To combat the pervasive problem, we have
implemented the
Fast Track & Monitoring Program, a coordinated effort of treatment and
accountability of the perpetrator.
Commonly, victims wish to drop the restraining order that enters against the
perpetrator. We have initiated the
"A.L.E.R.T." program designed to help victims become educated about
dropping a restraining order.
What are the effects of Domestic Violence?
The
effects of domestic violence are far reaching. In half of all
relationships there is at least one episode of domestic violence.
Every year, over 2000 victims of domestic violence are killed as a result of
the abuse. It causes misery, anxiety, fear, and shame. It causes
physical and emotional pain, financial burdens due to missed work, medical
bills and psychological treatment. Domestic violence occurs in cities,
suburbs and rural areas and it occurs
among all social classes, races, religions, incomes and family backgrounds.
The
Colorado Coalition Against Violence and the
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence have additional facts.
How does
Domestic Violence hurt my children?
Abuse is a learned behavior. Children who see abuse are
emotionally and psychologically injured even if they are not physically
hurt. They learn to connect love with violence and often grow up to be
abusers themselves or involve themselves in abusive relationships.
There is a greater chance of children from an abusive home becoming juvenile
offenders and abusing alcohol and drugs.
Does the District Attorney offer
any services to victims of Domestic Violence?
We offer many services to victims of domestic violence. Victim
Compensation is explained to victims of domestic violence at their first
contact with our office. We provide help in filling out the Victim
Compensation application if you need it. We can refer you to local
resources for financial, housing, food, and legal assistance. The
District Attorney also has a privately-funded grant program whereby victims
can obtain necessities they can't buy with food stamps, such as laundry
soap, personal hygiene products, toilet paper, and diapers. We also
have stuffed animals and pillows for children of families with violence.
For more information, call 719.269.0170 and ask to talk to a victim
advocate.
Here are some other local agencies that may be helpful:
