Macon Magazine

30 maconmagazine.com | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023 n opportunity to start the conversation about this critical issue and show those impacted by domestic violence that they are not alone, Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October gives us a chance to talk, ally, and act to increase consciousness and understanding. Crisis Line & Safe House of Central Georgia, Inc. (CL&SH) works tirelessly year-round to educate our community about domestic violence, according to Sarah Schanck, Director of the new One Safe Place Macon Family Justice Center, an initiative of CL&SH. "We want everyone to know how to recognize signs of an abusive relationship, how to seek help, and what resources are right here in our community," she said. Throughout October, CL&SH staff members will be present at many community events. They will host a Domestic Violence Candlelight Vigil in partnership with the Rescue Mission of Middle Georgia on A Be part of the solution to domestic violence RAISE AWARENESS, RECOGNIZE THE WARNING SIGNS, AND SUPPORT ADVOCACY GROUPS. BY DR. LISA PRITCHARD MAYFIELD SPENCE | PAINTING BY JESSICA WHITLEY October 24th at 6 p.m. at Washington Park. Looking ahead a few short months, the new Macon Family Justice Center – One Safe Place Macon – will open, one of the first three family justice centers (FJCs) in the state of Georgia. "Research shows that cities with dynamic FJCs have reduced their domestic violence homicide rates and have increased survivor support and offender accountability," Schanck said. The center will be a central location where victims who have experienced abuse can access life-saving services from various non-profit organizations and criminal justice agencies, who will each house a representative in the center. When it opens, she said, more than 15 agencies will co- locate to serve victims and their families in this new central location. The family justice center model is considered a best practice in the field of domestic violence intervention and prevention by the U.S. Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women; outcomes include reduced homicides, increased victim safety, reduced fear, and lessened anxiety for victims, children, and others. "We hope that this will help to remove the many obstacles and barriers that o en face members of our community so they can more readily seek the help they need to lead a hope-filled and safe future.", Schanck concluded. Mounds of Healing, watercolor and acrylic on wove paper by Jessica Whitley Pendorf. See this and more works at the Macon Bicentennial Art Show. More info. on p.28 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE FACTS from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence What is domestic violence? Domestic violence is the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior as part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another. It includes physical violence, sexual violence, threats, and economic, emotional, and psychological abuse. The frequency and severity of domestic violence varies dramatically. Did you know? In the United States, more than 10 million adults experience domestic violence annually. Domestic violence is most common against women aged 18-24. If each of these adults experienced only one incidence of violence, an adult in the U.S. would experience violence every three seconds. However, because domestic violence is a pattern, many experience repeated acts of abuse annually, so an incident of abuse happens far more frequently than every three seconds. One in four women and one in ten men experience sexual violence, physical violence, §and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime, with impacts such as being concerned for their safety, PTSD symptoms, injury, or needing victim services. In 2018, intimate partner violence accounted for 20% of all violent crime. On a typical day, domestic violence hotlines nationwide CL&SH's top warning signs of an abusive relationship: Extreme jealousy Stalking behavior Partner seeks to control Emotional manipulation Unrealistic expectations Isolation from friends and family Lack of responsibility for hurtful actions or problems Cruelty to animals or children "Playful" use of force during sex Verbal abuse Financial abuse Past history of battering Use of violence or threats of violence The best way to seek help in our community: Call the Crisis Line & Safe House 24/7 crisis line at (478) 745-9292. It is always staffed and answered by a local representative. Clients will be connected with Advocates who can facilitate support and accessing other resources throughout the community.

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