The Eighth Annual Domestic Violence Summit is among the events being held in October to recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
“Whether you realize it or not, you know a victim of sexual or domestic violence — she’s your friend, neighbor, your daughter’s classmate or your co-worker,” said Susan Moran, executive director for SOS, adding that one in 10 Kansas women report domestic violence victimization, which includes verbal, emotional, economic, sexual or physical abuse. “Sexual and domestic violence impacts the safety, health and well-being of our community every day.”
Thirty-five adults and 14 children in Kansas died in 2009 as a result of domestic violence. SOS sees more than 1,000 survivors — men women and children each year.
“We know that for every survivor who receives our services, there are countless others who have not reached out for support,” Moran said. “To ensure that survivors are receiving the support and services that they need, we need everyone in our community to believe victims, to make referrals to our agency and to hold perpetrators accountable by speaking out against these crimes.”
The Eighth Annual Domestic Violence Summit will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 13 at Flint Hills Technical College. Kansas City Missouri Senior Detective Catherine Johnson will talk about human trafficking and assault of women in high-risk lifestyles. The summit is free to those who work in the SOS service area of Chase, Coffey, Greenwood, Lyon, Morris and Osage Counties.
For more information go to www.soskansas.com or call the SOS 24-hour Helpline at 342-1870 or (800) 825-1295.
Maximus (anonymous) says...
What about battered men? Where do they go? Oh, I know! They go to JAIL!
Virtually all sociological data shows women initiate domestic violence as often as men, that women use weapons more than men, and that 38% of injured victims are men.
October 6, 2010 at 7:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KellyL (anonymous) says...
When I volunteered at SOS a long time ago they did actually have a basic plan in case a male needed services.
October 6, 2010 at 9:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
With the change in the DV law requiring an arrest Maximus when probable cause existed, alot of women found out the rules applied to both parties Maximus. I agree with you 100%, it's high time that the world hear about the male victims too, the women are not always the victim and some even use DV claims to better their cases in divorce court.
October 7, 2010 at 12:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Well maximus, women decided to form such organizations as SOS to help themselves. Why not form your own organization related to males?
I used to volunteer at SOS a long time ago, and KellyL is correct, they do have a plan for males in need of services. The problem is that most men are unwilling to admit that they have been battered.
October 7, 2010 at 7:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Maximus (anonymous) says...
Create - I will admit it. I was battered. Then the psycho called the police and I was put in jail the next morning. Now THAT's a fair system, don't you think? You know what I got to do next? I got to attend anger management classes for 16 weeks! And here's a news flash - half of the people in the class were victims, just like me.
I used to hide the butcher knives at night, fearing that I would have my throat slashed in the middle of the night, while I was sleeping. There are many men lying in their graves because SOS isn't really for men.
With blanket statements like “Whether you realize it or not, you know a victim of sexual or domestic violence — SHE'S your friend, neighbor, your daughter’s classmate or your co-worker,” it is obvious who SOS is really for....women and only women.
October 7, 2010 at 9:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Again I say to you, max, think about forming a group of your own. Start small, you know, just a few men. Then keep working at it. It will grow. You can ask for donations. Before long, you may even have a foundation.
I am sorry if I appeared to sass you in my first post. I feel for you if you were battered. You're right, it happens much too frequently, more than we know. One very important question needs to be discussed in these sessions with fellow battered men. "Why do you stay in the relationship?" I'll bet the reasons are many, and not necessarily related to love.
I'd be willing to bet that you could even find a local psychologist who might even be willing to attend. Someone from ESU Psych department for sure. Someone interested in writing a paper would jump at the chance to help a group like that.
I'm happy to know that nowadays, both parties are arrested, but that's not always true. I know of one recent situation where only the woman was arrested.
I would donate to your cause, max. Honest.
October 8, 2010 at 10:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Maximus (anonymous) says...
Thanks Create. Luckily for me, I survived, got out of the relationship and have been remarried to a wonderful wife for many years, now. I really felt sorry for all of those other men who couldn't get out, for whatever reason. I'm off to start a revolution :)
October 8, 2010 at 3:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Good luck to you, Max. Some men stay for the children, to protect them from a beastly mother.
October 8, 2010 at 3:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )