A month to stem domestic violence

Five American women are beaten by their partners every minute of every day. Four women in the U.S. are killed by members of their family each day. These grim statistics are a prime reason that October has been designated Domestic

Five American women are beaten by their partners every minute of every

day.

Four women in the U.S. are killed by members of their family each

day.

These grim statistics are a prime reason that October has been

designated Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Nancy Peterson has worked

with victims of domestic violence on Kaua`i for 13 years. She is now the

program director for the YWCA Family Violence Shelter.

As part of Domestic

Violence Awareness Month, the shelter will stage its annual candlelight vigil

Oct. 11 from 5 to 7 p.m. at St. Michael’s All Angels Church on Hardy Street in

Lihu`e.

“We always have food, entertainment and speakers. This year we are

targeting violence against women,” Peterson said.

On Oct. 19, the YWCA and

the shelter are also sponsoring Swim against the Tide of Violence at the Kaua`i

Athletic Club. Participants will raise money through pledges for laps swum

instead of miles walked.

The swim “goes on all day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

People can come in and swim laps,” Peterson explained.

She said the battle

against domestic violence, although far from over on Kaua`i, has

progressed.

“Domestic violence affects all races, cuts through all economic

classes,” she said. On Kaua`i, “segments of the population have historically

kept quiet. It was a shame issue, and there was a thing about talking about

domestic violence.

“But now we are seeing more people who are Japanese and

Filipino come forward for services. People ask me if it’s getting worse (in

those communities). I don’t think so. I think the message (about domestic

violence) has gotten out.”

Peterson said an average of four families

islandwide stay in the shelter residential program, and another 15 or 20

families are requesting counseling or seeking restraining orders.

“Requests

for restraining orders are up. We did maybe 60 a year (a decade ago) and now we

do 140 a year,” Peterson said.

She said the assistance domestic violence

counselors get from local law enforcement has also increased.

“Certainly we

need more education for our police. But things have changed dramatically.

There’s been a tremendous change for the better,” Peterson said. “I remember

years ago, a previous police chief said to me, ‘You know, Nancy, it’s really

hard to make these changes. We’ve always treated it (domestic violence) like a

family problem. It’s hard to make that leap (to make an arrest for domestic

violence).’ That has changed. I tell police officers now it’s a personal

liability (for them) if they do not make that arrest.”

Despite 13 years

helping the victims of domestic violence, Peterson maintains a positive

attitude and sees solutions.

“Domestic violence is a learned behavior which

is reinforced by cultural and social beliefs. I firmly believe that the men who

batter do not have good self-esteem,” she said.

In addition to the

shelter-sponsored events, Oct 16-20 has been designated YWCA Week Without

Domestic Violence. A big part of the observance is the Purple Ribbon Campaign,

a national effort to reduce domestic violence in our communities.

Purple

ribbons for people to wear or attach to automobile antennas will be displayed

at businesses across Kaua`i. A small poster explaining the campaign and

listing participating businesses will also be available.

The campaign is