Priest River Ministries Inc

1 in 4 women will experience domestic abuse at some point in their lifetime, and most cases are never reported. Up to 60% of perpetrators who abuse intimate partners also abuse the children in the same household.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

When you see those words, what do you think?
Too often "domestic violence" or "battery" is both depicted as and thought of as only physical violence. Punching, slapping, pushing...we all know those are wrong. And while those acts are violent, the truth is is that domestic violence is not always carried out in that way.

Domestic violence can be emotional, sexual, financial, mental, religious, and physical. It could be one, or all, or only a few, and it can be very subtle.

Abusive relationships where non-physical acts cause trauma are harder to recognize than bruises and broken bones. They can also be harder to recover from, as the scars are not visible, and therefore are not adequately addressed as requiring healing. Nevertheless, there is no difference in the damage that abuse leaves on the victim, however it is perpetrated.

Domestic violence is most commonly not a singular event. It is a series of abusive patterns perpetrated by an individual against another, and it can happen in all types of relationships. It could be your mother, your brother, your friend, or your spouse. It does not matter how old you are, how much money you have, where you come from, what you do, or how educated you are. Domestic violence has no predjudice--and the perpetrator of DV, the abuser's specific intention is to firmly maintain power and control over another individual.

A JOURNEY

One of our advocates had conversed for months with the sister of a victim affected by domestic violence. Finally, the victim was ready to leave--she escaped physical, mental, and emotional abuse at the hands of her husband, along with her twin children, and came into one of our shelters. They brought nothing.

The family had been severely traumatized.

The young teenage girl looked continually at the ground; her face covered intentionally by her long, brown hair. She did not speak.

The boy was compliant; desperate to please everyone. Happy go lucky, even.

She barely ate.

He gobbled down his food as if it would disappear any moment.

Dear Dad had used food as a method of control over his family. Sometimes they would go for many days without any at all.

Many times he had threatened their lives.

Mom was unable to sleep. She believed they could all die at any moment.

They had little hope.

All our advocates and volunteers cared for this family for the 9 months they resided in our shelter. At the end of their time with us, mom had become employed and they had acquired their own apartment. Both children had gradually engaged with our tutors and counselor, they began playing games and developing healthy relationships. They were able to eat, sleep, and grow in safety. They began to open up about their lives--something that was nearly impossible for them to do beforehand.

Each advocates, tutor, counselor and volunteer played a vital part in the recovery and healing of this family. They offered consistency, counseling, education, support, paralegal assistance, court accompaniment, shelter, clothing, essential supplies, personal items, food, and transportation.

They came with deep wounds and left with healing scars. Their journey will continue, now in safety and self sustainability. 

They are why we do what we do.