13 ways to end domestic violence

HONESDALE -- October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. In recognition of this event, Victims' Intervention program invites the community-at-large to be aware of abusive behaviors and utilize non-violent methods to stop abuse.

1. Cultivate a respectful attitude toward women in your family and at your workplace. Avoid behaviors that demean or control women.

2. When you are angry with your partner or children, respond without hurting or humiliating them. Model a non-violent, respectful response to resolving conflicts in your family. Call a domestic violence or child abuse prevention program for their help if you continue to hurt members of your family.

3. If you have a friend or co-worker who is afraid of her partner or who is being hurt, offer her your support and refer to VIP's 24-hour hotline at 570/253-4401.

4. Learn about domestic violence services in your community. Contribute your time (volunteer!), resources or money.

5. Call the police if you see or hear violence in progress.

6. Talk to your friends and neighbors when they belittle women, make a joke about violence or ignore a battered woman.

7. Ask your local government to collaborate with domestic violence programs to conduct a safety audit of your community.

8. Write to music producers, movie companies, Internet businesses, video game producers and TV stations to speak out about violence against women.

9. Develop a women's safety campaign in your workplace, neighborhood, school or house of worship. Build a consensus among your colleagues and neighbors that abusive behavior and language is unacceptable.

10. Bring together parents, teachers, students and school administrators to start a discussion about developing a school-based curriculum on dating and family violence.

11. Ask that physicians and other health-care professionals receive training about domestic violence and follow the diagnostic and treatment guidelines about domestic violence, child abuse and elder abuse developed by the American Medical Association.

12. Co-sponsor a citizens' monitoring group with your local domestic violence program to insure that law enforcement officers, judges and probation and parole personnel receive training about domestic violence and enforce the law.

13. Examine your own life for violence and oppressive behaviors. Try to live a violence-free life.

Victims' intervention Program is Wayne County's sole provider of free, confidential and professional services to victims/survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse. VIP serves female, male and child clients. For more information call 570/253-4401.