PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Teri Stoddard
Telephone: 301-801-0608
Email: tstoddard@saveservices.org
SAVE Encourages Domestic Violence Groups to Warn At-Risk Victims
WASHINGTON / October 29, 2013 – Stop Abusive and Violent Environments, a leading domestic violence advocacy group, is urging anti-abuse service organizations to update their websites and training materials so persons at high risk of partner violence are warned to take necessary protective measures.
SAVE has identified three risk factors that dramatically multiply a person’s chance of injury and death:
- Separated: Persons who are separated face a risk of partner violence that is 50 times higher than the rate of married individuals: Married: 0.9/1,000. Separated: 49.0/1,000.
- Mutual violence: A CDC survey found that injury is more than twice as likely when the violence is mutual — 28.4% — compared to unidirectional violence — 11.6%.
- Female-initiated violence: Female initiation of violence is the leading reason for the woman becoming injured by her partner, according to research by Dr. Sandra Stith.
A review of existing online Fact Sheets reveals some groups, such as the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, do warn persons about the first risk factor.
But SAVE’s analysis has failed to identify a single group that is warning persons about the risks of mutual or female-initiated violence. As a result, at-risk persons do not take special precautions to deter violence. And policymakers may be unaware of the need for programs designed to address these worrisome situations.
To date, SAVE has reviewed Fact Sheets produced by the National Network to End Domestic Violence, Futures Without Violence, New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, NY City Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence, and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. SAVE evaluated their statements according to 10 objective criteria of accuracy, balance, and completeness: http://www.saveservices.org/camp/truth/
In the future, SAVE plans to review the educational materials of other organizations
“SAVE applauds the work of domestic violence groups that warn persons about the risks of separating from an abusive partner,” notes SAVE spokesperson Sheryle Hutter. “But why aren’t these groups also highlighting the risks of mutual and female-initiated abuse?”
Each year, approximately 1,200 Americans were killed by their intimate partners.
Stop Abusive and Violent Environments is a victim-advocacy organization working for evidence-based solutions to domestic violence and sexual assault: www.saveservices.org