As October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, representatives of SOS are doing all they can to educate the local community on the effects of violence within the home.
SOS Child Victim Advocate Asha Potter joined KVOE’s Morning Show Friday to provide some insight and information on the topic. Potter says the first thing people need to understand is that domestic violence does not only affect the abuser and the abused.
She says violence within the home affects everyone close to you including friends, family and children. She explains that when children experience domestic violence either secondhand or directly it can lead to several physical and mental health issues throughout their life.
Potter says there are plenty of things that can be done to help quell or prevent domestic violence from occurring, she says one of the simplest options is staging an intervention.
Additionally, Potter says if there is tension in the home family members should practice speaking to one another and expressing their emotions verbally rather than physically. She also suggests seeking counseling can be a great option as it allows all members of the family to speak and be heard in a safe neutral environment.
According to Potter, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, SOS has seen a large spike in domestic violence-related calls. She explained there was very little activity during the stay-at-home orders issued at the start of the pandemic, however, as restrictions of eased calls have continued to rise.
Potter says not only has the number of calls ramped up in recent weeks, but so has the level of violence being reported which she attributes in part to the level of stress being felt across the country due to the ongoing pandemic.
Potter says if you or someone you know needs help to escape a violent relationship there are a number of avenues you can utilize. SOS has a 24-hour hotline available by calling 800-825-1295 or you can visit SOS’s main office by appointment at 4th and Commerical in Emporia.
if you would like more information on SOS or domestic violence please visit SOSKansas.com.
