By Kayla Woody, House of Hope DVPI Prevention Specialist
Prevention is key when it comes to domestic violence. This October, staff at the CPN House of Hope made it their mission to educate those in the community during the awareness month.
With domestic violence on the rise all over the nation, education on the dynamics of abuse is needed more than ever. Nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States, per the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. With most victims of domestic violence being women between the ages of 18 and 24, the focus is on bringing education to the youth in communities.
“If we can educate adolescents and teens about what is unhealthy in relationships before they start dating, we can try to eliminate the abuse,” said Kayla Woody, prevention specialist at the CPN House of Hope.
The organization presented to public high schools and colleges in surrounding communities about red flags in unhealthy relationships, the cycle of relationship abuse and how to help a friend/loved one experiencing abuse. Staff attended community events to reach not only adolescents but adults on the issues of domestic violence.
“Everyone knows someone who is dealing with relationship abuse. We can change the culture around this violence by encouraging our communities to speak up for victims and not remain silent,” Woody said.
For prevention to work in multiple communities, the House of Hope needs your help to spread the word about domestic violence. For more details on how to help in your community, visit the new website at cpnhouseofhope.com. The website has been updated to give information on what relationship abuse looks like and what you can do as a bystander to stop the violence. It also includes a relationship quiz for visitors to decide how healthy their own relationship is and easy online applications for anyone who is seeking assistance.
If you or someone you know is experiencing intimate partner violence, stalking and/or sexual assault and would like more information, please contact the CPN House of Hope at 405-275-3176 or reach out on Facebook @cpnhouseofhope.