2008 Woodie Awards
HOPE Brings discussion to EIU
Courtney Bruner/Online Reporter
Issue date: 10/26/07 Section: Sexual Abuse Awareness
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October is Domestic Violence Awareness month. Monday was the first of many events scheduled this month to bring awareness to this.
On October 2, a panel discussed domestic violence that was composed of Lisa Taylor, an FCS professor at EIU and Jim Walters, a worker from HOPE.
Many people wondered, "What is domestic violence?" The panel agreed that it is the loss of control over one's life by a significant person in that person's life.
This includes everything from child abuse, spousal abuse, and abuse of the elderly. There are many types of abuse including verbal and physical. Many people do not even realize that they are being abused.
"If the first relationship is abusive, they [the abused] will always think that this is the way it's suppose to be," said Taylor.
It is also counted as abuse even if it is not an everyday occurrence. Many people do not understand that what has happened to them until it gets to the point where the person can not handle any more and need help to get away even if the crime was not illegal.
"It does not have to be a crime to be abuse," said Walters.
HOPE, located 701 6th St., tries to help people with this abuse. It uses counseling, support groups, legal advocacy, and an emergency shelter to help both men and women with abuse.
"It is more help to get advice from people that are going through this, too," stated EIU student, Brittany Gundlach. HOPE helps victims get protection orders and get safely out of their homes.
Taylor said that 75 percent of women are killed when they attempt to leave an abusive household. This can hinder a person from leaving their abuser if they feel that their life or the lives of their children are in danger. This is why many people do not leave their homes, tell their families, or get help. The panel also explained what to do if a friend is in an abusive relationship.
"You cannot help the person by trying to control another part of their life," said Walters.
The panel discussed how a friend must be supportive of the person being abused. Just telling them to leave might make the person defensive. Then, they are less likely to get help in the end. A friend should encourage the abused to seek out resources, such as HOPE, to get help and to never give up the support and love that the abused needs.
On October 2, a panel discussed domestic violence that was composed of Lisa Taylor, an FCS professor at EIU and Jim Walters, a worker from HOPE.
Many people wondered, "What is domestic violence?" The panel agreed that it is the loss of control over one's life by a significant person in that person's life.
This includes everything from child abuse, spousal abuse, and abuse of the elderly. There are many types of abuse including verbal and physical. Many people do not even realize that they are being abused.
"If the first relationship is abusive, they [the abused] will always think that this is the way it's suppose to be," said Taylor.
It is also counted as abuse even if it is not an everyday occurrence. Many people do not understand that what has happened to them until it gets to the point where the person can not handle any more and need help to get away even if the crime was not illegal.
"It does not have to be a crime to be abuse," said Walters.
HOPE, located 701 6th St., tries to help people with this abuse. It uses counseling, support groups, legal advocacy, and an emergency shelter to help both men and women with abuse.
"It is more help to get advice from people that are going through this, too," stated EIU student, Brittany Gundlach. HOPE helps victims get protection orders and get safely out of their homes.
Taylor said that 75 percent of women are killed when they attempt to leave an abusive household. This can hinder a person from leaving their abuser if they feel that their life or the lives of their children are in danger. This is why many people do not leave their homes, tell their families, or get help. The panel also explained what to do if a friend is in an abusive relationship.
"You cannot help the person by trying to control another part of their life," said Walters.
The panel discussed how a friend must be supportive of the person being abused. Just telling them to leave might make the person defensive. Then, they are less likely to get help in the end. A friend should encourage the abused to seek out resources, such as HOPE, to get help and to never give up the support and love that the abused needs.
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