Domestic Violence Awareness from Stoneham Alliance Against Violence

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Stoneham Alliance Against Violence would like to share some information on how to spot signs of domestic violence, how to get help for yourself or someone else, and how everyone can support efforts to address this issue.

WHAT IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE?
Domestic violence can be physical, emotional, and/or psychological. Anyone can be a victim
regardless of age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or economic status. Whether a couple is dating, married, or cohabitating, in a same-sex or heterosexual relationship, domestic violence can occur. It may also occur in parent-child relationships, extended family-child relationships, and sibling relationships. Physical abuse can be more than causing bodily harm or sexual assault; it can include withholding basic needs such as food, sleep, or water, refusing to get help or treatment when someone is sick or injured, refusing to give appropriate medicines, or locking a victim out of their own home. While physical abuse may be more commonly associated with domestic violence, it is not the only form of abuse. Emotional or psychological abuse is when one partner yells, berates, humiliates, threatens, bullies, isolates, or otherwise tries to control his/her partner. Isolation is a way for the abuser to gain complete control over the victim by keeping them away from friends, family, and loved ones who may offer support. Financial abuse can involve preventing the victim from working, doing something to cause them to lose their job, limiting their transportation to work, keeping the victim on an allowance, not allowing them any say in or access to any of the household finances, or accumulating debt in the victim’s name. Stalking is the “persistent and unwanted pursuit of another person.” The abuser may follow the victim, break into his/her home, access their mail or email, repeatedly make calls or send texts to the victim, or send the victim unwanted gifts.

GUN VIOLENCE
According to Everytown for Gun Safety, 4.5 million women have reported being threatened with a gun by an intimate partner and access to a gun makes it five times more likely that a woman will die at the hands of a domestic abuser. If you or someone you know is at risk of being harmed by a partner with a gun, you can contact local law enforcement to ask about an Extreme Risk Protection Order. Under Massachusetts law, a person’s family or household member or a law enforcement officer may file a petition for an ERPO, which “allows courts to temporarily restrict a person’s access to guns when a person poses a serious risk of harming themselves or others.” An ERPO is designed to help law enforcement and concerned family members intervene quickly in dangerous situations.

STONEHAM STATISTICS
Stoneham is not immune to domestic violence. According to the 2022 Annual Report, 149 reports of domestic violence were investigated by the police department and 22 were deemed “high risk with the potential for lethality to the victim.” Civilian advocate Linda Leis followed up with 110 victims, offering assistance in “obtaining Abuse Prevention Orders, safety planning, finding emergency shelter, locating legal services, and providing emotional support.”

RESOURCES
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, reach out to:
National Domestic Violence Hotline: call 800-799-SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788
RESPOND: 617-623-5900; respondinc.org
Stoneham Police Domestic Violence Unit: 781-438-1215 x3106
Stoneham Alliance Against Violence: 781-438-SAAV (7228)
Boston Area Rape Crisis Center, which serves the Greater Boston area: 800-841-8371; barcc.org

WAYS TO SUPPORT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS
● Donate new items and gift cards to local shelters and outreach programs, such as Safelink
(877-785-2020) and Mission of Deeds (781-944-9797; missionofdeeds.org)
● Register for a Road Race to End Domestic Violence, which will be hosted by The Wakefield
Alliance Against Violence on October 14: https://waavonline.org/
● Join the Melrose Alliance Against Violence at their 28th Annual Walk & Candlelight Vigil on
October 22. Go to https://www.maav.org for more information.
● Attend the kick-off meeting of the new group Step Up: Men Against Violence on October 17th
at the WCAT Studio in Wakefield. A collaboration between the Melrose, Wakefield, and
Stoneham Alliance Against Violence organizations, this group will explore a wide range of
topics that promote and cultivate a culture of gender equality, mutual respect, and healthy
relationships. Join the meeting in-person or via Zoom, no experience or commitment required.
More information can be found at https://www.maav.org