Centre officials declare Domestic Violence Awareness Month
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BELLEFONTE -- In the United States, over 10 million adults experience domestic violence every year.
Jennifer Pencek, Executive Director at Centre Safe, and Ena Foreman, Outreach and Education Manager at Centre Safe, were in attendance on Tuesday to thank the Centre County Commissioners for honoring October as Domestic Violence Awareness month and to explain how Centre Safe can help.
"If each of those adults experienced only one incident of violence, an adult in the U.S. would experience violence every three seconds. However, because domestic violence is a pattern, many experience repeated acts of abuse annually, so an incident of abuse actually happens far more frequently than once every three seconds," said Pencek.
Domestic violence occurs regardless of race, age, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, mental or physical ability or religious background, and abusers are not easily identifiable.
"Domestic violence is one of those issues that’s just incredibly pervasive in all of our communities," said Pencek, "Every single town, every nook and cranny of every single town is absolutely touched by domestic violence."
Centre Safe, previously known as the Centre County Women's Resource Center, is ideally a safety net for anyone who is impacted by domestic violence. It provides free, professional and confidential support for those in Centre County who are impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking.
The theme of Domestic Violence Awareness month is "Everyone knows someone."
"We all do know someone. We might not think that we do, but we absolutely do. In 2022 alone we supported more than 900 victims of domestic violence across the county," said Pencek, who then clarified that these are only the people who have come forward, and that there are likely many more in the county who haven't come forward for help.
Commissioner Steven Dershem said, "The economic consequences of trying to get out of those situations and the social stigma involved keeps a lot of folks in those (situations) and I’m very grateful your organization is there to provide a safety valve for those who choose to get help. I think we all know somebody or have been exposed to someone in the trials of this situation."
Pencek also described for the commissioners and audience just how much of a struggle it is to escape abusive relationships.
"We really have to acknowledge the power that abusers often have over victims and even over bystanders. Another question is what keeps neighbors, family, friends -- what keeps them from intervening? There is a lot."
Just a few of the barriers to leaving an abusive situation can include: denial, shame, lack of resources, financial dependence, desire to keep family together, fear, pressure from family and the hope that the abuse will stop.
The consequences of domestic violence can cross generations, according to Pencek, and leave lasting effects.
"Victims of intimate partner violence lose a total of 8 million days of paid work every single year -- the equivalent of 32 thousand full-time jobs. Intimate partner violence is estimated to cost the U.S. economy between $5.8 billion and $12.6 billion annually... Between 21 and 60 percent of victims of intimate partner violence lose their jobs for reasons stemming from the abuse," said Pencek.
Chairman Mark Higgins said, "This is a super important topic. It not only affects the adults, but the children and the other family members. It's a very serious issue."
Pencek also offered solutions for what Centre Safe and the community as a whole can do to help.
"One option is to pull up the blinds and not hide away when you witness someone you feel may be being abused or causing abuse, find quiet safe time to talk with the person being harmed and let them know you're not there to judge them but that you’re there to help them any way you can. Ask them how you can best help them at that moment. It often takes the victim seven times of leaving and returning to their abuser before they leave for good," said Pencek.
Pencek encouraged those listening to go to www.centresafe.org/dvam to see the full list of events and activities going on for the month.
Centre Safe has a 24/7 hotline available to everyone, 877-234-5050, is a toll-free number for anyone who wants to get in touch with a trained counselor and advocate for their needs.
"The first step to finding safety and healing is making that call. We are here for you," said Pencek.
Commissioner Amber Concepcion said, "Thank you for being here and raising awareness, and for the work that Centre Safe does. Providing that refuge and that safe space for those who are experiencing domestic violence is so incredibly critical. We know how complicated it can be when there are children who are part of the situation. The way that you're able to provide a space for families is really important."