What You Can Do to Help Stop Violence

After the Boston Marathon bombings in 2013, I wrote a post Reducing Violence/Reducing Chronic Disease: The Solution is the Same . If you haven’t read it, the post outlines the link between chronic conditions and violence.

This week, following the mass shootings in California, El Paso and Dayton, as well as the stabbing deaths in Southern California, I thought it useful to revisit the issue of violence from a slightly different slant.

While considerable emphasis is placed on gun control, it’s important to recognize that weapons are only one part of the story. Attitudes, emotions, and reactions are just as important. Without working on all aspects of the issue, only limited progress will be made.  This is particularly concerning when the data for sexual and domestic violence, as well as work place violence, far outstrips the mass violence that grabs the headlines.

• Two million Americans report suffering from workplace violence every year, making it the second leading cause of work-site deaths in the country, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Many incidences go unreported. People in the caring professions (e.g. nurses, home health aides, social workers, hospital employees) and those who handle cash experience a much greater proportion of these incidents.

• One in five women and one in 71 men will be raped at some point in their lives. 91% of the victims of rape and sexual assault are female, and 9% are male. National Sexual Violence Resource Center

• Women with disabilities have a 40% greater risk of intimate partner violence, especially severe violence, than women without disabilities

• Most cases of domestic violence are never reported to police. Men who are victimized are substantially less likely than women to file a report.

• On average, 24 people per minute are victims of rape, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner in the United States — more than 12 million women and men over the course of a year. National Domestic Violence Hotline

What you can do to stop violence in their homes, workplace and communities.

Stop the Hate: By expressing tolerance and acceptance you send a positive message. Slurs and negative comments harm so be conscious of what you say and to whom. Learn more at Ten Ways to Fight Hate: A community Response Guide. 

Role model & Take Responsibility for your  behavior: Actions speak louder than words. Those around you, including children, see how you handle things. They watch how you deal with others and observe your reaction to challenging situations. Whether we are aware of it or not, we are role models for one another. If you preach respect and tolerance but then make comments about people in the news, neighbors etc. you send a very mixed message. None of us are saints, so if you screw up, own it and make amends.

Know the signs of Violence: Whether it’s in the workplace, home, a relationship or some other venue, people who exhibit these behaviors are or have the potential to be violent.

-       Jealous, controlling, hypersensitive or explosive mood, blames others for their feelings, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (rapidly switching between being explosive and being nice)

-       Isolates you from friends, family and resources

-       Threats, insults, breaking objects

-       Bullying

-       Violence or use of force during sex

-       Cruel to kids or pets, past history of abuse

-       Unrealistic expectations

-       Verbally abusive

-       Rigid sex roles

-       Physically forceful during an argument

Studies show the perpetrators of mass violence are often suicidal and more than half will talk about their plans for a violent act.

Don’t ignore it: Call 911 if you feel that you or someone else is in imminent danger.

• If this happens at work, report it immediately to your supervisor. You can help prevent workplace violence by attending personal safety training programs that teach you to prevent and diffuse violent situations. Talk with your employer about implementing zero-tolerance policies on workplace violence and, if not in place, work with your employer on a workplace violence prevention program. For more information: Workplace Violence 

• If this is a domestic violence situation, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline 1−800−799−7233 or TTY 1−800−787−3224 or use their secure website. They can help you outline a safety plan, help you assist someone who is in an unsafe situation, legal assistance, help for survivors and much more. This is free and confidential and available 24/7. Another Resource is the National Network to End Domestic Violence  If you are in danger, please use a safer computer, or call 911, a local hotline, or the U.S. National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 and TTY 1-800-787-3224. Libraries are good places to use a computer that can’t be traced.

• If this is sexual assault contact the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline-800-656-4673 or use their website. This is free and confidential and available 24/7.

If you know someone who is discussing violence to themselves or others, get them help immediately. Unfortunately, many active shooters have been reported to authorities prior to their shooting. Because information is often not passed on, it’s important that you consider contacting multiple sources-state police, local police, FBI, social worker, school counselor etc and ask for a behavioral risk assessment.

People are accountable for their behavior. Don’t make excuses for them or blame yourself for their behavior.

Be part of a group that works at ending violence in your community. Learn more at the following:

• Ten Things Adults Can Do to Stop Violence 

• Cure Violence 

 

Be a mentor. Attachments to others is key. Being a mentor to a child can make all the difference. See that your own children are surrounded by supportive and good role models.

If you are a gun owner, be a leader in responsible gun ownership and practice Firearm Safety at all times.