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The Reality of Violence
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No matter how "violent" the violation, the pain and disruption to one's life does not stop with the act of violence or crime. The trauma that results after experiencing such an act can last a lifetime.
The impacts of violence run so deep and extend so far, they continue on like ripples in a pond.
After more that 30 years of providing direct victim services and community education and outreach, CVVC knows first-hand, there is hope, there is help. We know that when victims receive the help and support they need, something wonderful can happen: Healing.
| When one factors in all the forms of violence and crime, one begins to recognize that anyone can become a victim. |
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When we hear the word "violence", most times images of leading TV news stories and front page headlines with all their shock and sensationalism race to the forefront of our minds. All too often, we believe that violence is something that happens to someone else, somewhere else. We may even rationalize that in some way the victim must have done something to cause their victimization, maybe their lifestyle, the community they live in, their race or ethnicity…something that sets them apart from us.
The reality is that no one is immune. Violence can exist in any home, community, workplace or school. You do not have to look very far to find a person who has experienced violence either directly, or indirectly. When one factors in all the forms of violence and crime, one begins to recognize anyone, regardless of economic status, educational achievement, religion, ethnicity or race can become a victim.
According to the Surgeon General, each year many thousands of people become the victim of violence. In a single year, more children die of gun violence than from cancer, pneumonia, influenza, asthma and HIV/AIDS combined (Children's Defense Fund). Family violence accounted for 11% of all reported and unreported violence between 1998 and 2002. About one in five persons murdered in 2002 was killed by a family member (Department of Justice, 2005). Imagine what our response would be if such a disease existed that ravaged our society to the extent that violence does? We would declare that we have a public health issue putting us all at risk. We would spare no expense. We would invest heavily in basic and applied research. We would devise systems to identify those affected and provide services to treat them (Rumburg, 2003). Yet identifying violence as a public health issue is a relatively new idea. Traditionally, when confronted with the circumstances of violence, society has deferred to the criminal justice system. Over the years, we have mistakenly and naively believed that violence was to be addressed and eradicated by the police, the courts and the penal system (Koop, 1991). Addressing violence as a public health issue is an awesome challenge for all of us, but its scope and reality can no longer be ignored.
Oftentimes, suburban or affluent communities internalize the notion that crime or violence does not happen in their communities, does not happen to them. At least that is the reality they may be tempted to project or believe. Not so. Throughout the state of Pennsylvania, 26 of every 100 citizens report victimization (Pa Crime Victim Survey, 1999). Closer to home, in 2003, 30% of the homicides occurred outside the city limits of Pittsburgh. The same can be said of rapes (48%), burglary (46%), vandalism (56%), and family violence (62%) (Allegheny County Police, 2003). Behind the closed doors of countless homes, as well as on the streets of many communities rages a struggle that must be brought to light. The cost for denial is simply too high.
Victims and witnesses of crime and the close circle of family and friends around them are impacted on numerous levels and at various degrees. We often are tempted to rank the severity of a crime, making some crimes "worse" than others. However, no matter how "violent" the violation, the pain and disruption to one's life does not stop with the act of violence or crime. The trauma that results after experiencing such an act can last a lifetime. Trauma impacts one's mental, physical, emotional, financial and spiritual health in deeply profound and devastating ways. What can appear as a simple home invasion, where theft and the replacement of materialistic goods is at worst an inconvenience, can in contrast result in the victim feeling unsafe and subsequently unable to continue living alone, independent of parental help; or for our elderly population, without the live-in support of family members. The sudden loss of independence contributes to depression, fear and an overall mistrust of society. When a family experiences a homicide, often they are suddenly thrust into the news. Their life and the life of their loved one are up for public scrutiny. The ongoing media attention and challenges of the justice system can prolong the process of closure and healing, long after their loved one has been laid to rest. Meanwhile, survivors of all types of violence or crime are left to struggle with the unanswerable question of "why?" Their lives are often disrupted by a combination of self-blame, guilt, shame, despair, depression, hopelessness, isolation, fear, aggression, disruption in faith and belief systems, or financial burdens that can last any number of months, weeks or even years.
The impacts of violence run so deep and extend so far, they continue like ripples in a pond. Statistics tell us that once an individual has experienced, witnessed or lived with violence, their likelihood of being victimized again, or becoming a perpetrator themselves increases significantly. After becoming a victim of violence or crime, it is not uncommon for someone to doubt their ability to keep themselves or their loved one's safe, increasing the likelihood of isolation, mistrust or misreading a situation that might result in being unusually aggressive in an attempt "to get them before they get me!" Being abused or neglected as a child increases the likelihood of arrest as a juvenile by 59 percent, as an adult by 28 percent and for violent crime by 30 percent (National Institute of Justice, 2001). Among female delinquents, an estimated 70% have a history of sexual assault (Office of Juvenile Justice and Prevention). The cycle of violence continues as violence perpetuates more violence. Once victimized, a person's sense of normalcy, safety and positive self-perceptions have been distorted, damaged or lost.
The economic impact of violence on society is astronomical. Crime is estimated to create $105 billion in medical expenses, lost earnings, and costs for victim services. Factoring in the hidden costs, such as pain and suffering, and a reduced quality of life, brings the total estimated cost of crime to $450 billion annually (National Center for Victims of Crime, 2004). In 2000, 36 percent of rape and sexual assault victims lost more then 10 days of work after their victimization (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2002). Of battered workers, 96% experience problems at work due to the abuse, 56% are late to work, and 54% miss entire days of work (American Institute of Domestic Violence, 2001).
Other costs to community are not always apparent. On any given day, we can witness or experience a colleague, neighbor or stranger who appears to be intolerant, non-communicative, edgy, unable to concentrate on the given task, or just plain miserable. How often do we stop and take inventory of their circumstances and ask what factors in their life might be contributing to their state of being? When a community is impacted by violence, subtle or otherwise, collectively the community experiences the trauma which leads to isolation, a heightened awareness for survival and a commitment to "protect your own!" Such impacts on the community make it more difficult to live together peacefully, contribute to community events, attend children's school functions, or invest in homes, businesses and relationships.
The scope and prevalence of violence leaves us with many questions: What can be done? How can we change what's happening? Where do we go for answers?
After more that 30 years of providing direct victim services and community education and outreach, CVVC knows first-hand, there is hope, there is help. First, we know that when victims receive the help and support they need, something wonderful can happen: Healing. They can reconnect, find meaning within the context of their life story, and be unburdened enough from the violence or crime to live fulfilled lives. To facilitate healing, CVVC provides a full continuum of services to victims and witnesses of any type of crime including sexual assault, homicide, simple and aggravated assault, robbery, home invasion, and child and elder abuse. Trained Counselor Advocates provide crisis intervention, counseling, accompaniment through the criminal justice and medical systems, jail notification and victim compensation assistance to help victims cope and begin healing.
Second, we know education and intervention works. Every major public health or safety issue like smoking, breast cancer, drunk driving, etc. has required and benefited from education and raising public awareness. Awareness is a proven method to bring about desired and needed change. CVVC offers violence prevention, education and training programming to schools, businesses, allied professionals, faith-based institutions and other community groups on a variety of topics. With increased knowledge and skills people are effectively equipped with the tools they need to break the cycles of violence and create safety, well-being and peace in their own lives, families and communities.
Finally, no one person or entity can do this work alone. Everyone has a part to play in making a real change, a real difference. CVVC has created a vehicle through which we all can join together to help put an end to the violence that's hurting and destroying so many. CVVC's Peace-It-Together Community Initiative invites you to educate yourself and others, make a financial contribution to CVVC, or volunteer your time to help CVVC achieve its mission by inviting us to your workplace, school and community or faith-based group. Through our collective efforts, the citizens of Allegheny County can share the joy and satisfaction of knowing they are making a difference in the lives of people. By addressing the violence that hurts all of us, we can instead create the peace that will benefit…us all.
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| Click here for more information, or to join CVVC's Peace-It-Together Community Initiative. |