Intimate partner violence isn’t just harming the primary victim; it’s negatively affecting our entire population

Who and What Declares a Public Health Crisis?

“The definition of a public health crisis is qualitative, not quantitative,” says George Benjamin, MD, chief executive director of the American Public Health Association.  “It represents a health threat that is substantial in size or impact such that an urgent response is needed.”

A public health crisis can be determined by the federal government or by individual states, and among the latter, the definition of what constitutes a crisis may differ.  It is something that poses a substantial risk of a significant number of human fatalities or incidents of permanent or long- term disability.

Experts, Health Professionals Agree Domestic Violence is a Public Health Crisis

Domestic violence is indeed of significant prevalence and impact that it is at public health crisis levels.  One of the tragedies of this phenomenon is the fact that it is amongst people who both know and are supposed to care for one another.  It is a breakdown in the relationship such that conflict becomes physically or emotionally violent.

Domestic violence, intimate partner violence, gender- based violence- no matter what we call it can have long lasting, far reaching, and often devastating consequences for individuals, their families and entire communities; and it’s not only the physical violence inflicted by abusers that affect survivors’ health.

“Victims of intimate partner violence have higher rates of chronic stress which can lead to chronic mental health conditions, diseases, chemical dependency, substance abuse issues, complications with pregnancies, etc.: says Alicia Nichols, LSW, Deputy Director of the National Center on Gun Violence.

There are too many women and children being affected by domestic violence.  When people think about it, they think it’s just physical; but it’s verbal and it’s psychological which sometimes impacts even more.  The combination of these is a CRISIS.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Rosalind Penegar, D.A.R.T. Claiborne Parish Rural Advocate @ 318-927-2818 Monday-Friday from 9:00-2:00 pm or call the crisis hotline @ 1-888-411-1333