#DomesticViolence #dv Albany, NY-This weekend, its likely you will hear or read someone stating a commonly accepted fact that more incidents of domestic violence are reported on Super Bowl Sunday than on any other day of the year. It will be stated with great authority and youll likely think, How awful. But thats a myth, and one that needs clearing up because it puts the focus in the wrong place. Reports of domestic violence do increase as January turns into February, but for other reasons. Credit card bills for holiday purchases are arriving, just as heating costs are increasing due to colder weather. Bills are a stressor in any household and in a family facing violence they also become a reason for the abuser to exert the control thats at the heart of domestic violence. Other financial stressors also occur at this time of year. Tax filing deadlines are approaching and conflicts arise over who can claim the children as dependents. W-2 statements that arrive from employers become a source of friction as it becomes obvious who contributed to household earnings. Some victims of domestic violence made a choice not to leave a violent situation — and have children leave their home — through the holidays. But now, six weeks later, they are willing to make the call to a domestic violence hotline. The flip side is also true. Batterers who were on good behavior for the holidays have let that go and the violence has resumed. These issues, not football or beer or even testosterone, are what account for the increase in domestic violence at this time of year. Super Bowl Sunday is not a significantly different day for those of us who run domestic abuse hot lines and staff domestic violence shelters. What could make Super Bowl Sunday important to victims of domestic violence? We could make this a day to dispel the myths and face the facts. We encourage everyone watching the game to cheer and speak up for safety for all families. Burke is CEO of Unity House, which provides services to victims of domestic violence and operates a 33-bed shelter. timesunion/opinion/article/Domestic-violence-Super-Sunday-myth-5193957.php -J
Posted on: Sat, 01 Feb 2014 15:12:43 +0000
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