Slogans can't capture pain of domestic violence

To The Eagle:

Every year in September the staff of The Charlotte House prepares for October and Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). We begin by looking at slogans of years past and brainstorm new ones all in an effort to draw attention to our hope of ending violence against women.

It seems like when we want to grab people’s attention, we try to come up with the one phrase or image that will draw people in and spark them on to action.

There have been many compelling anti-domestic violence messages over the years – slogans like, “Love is not Abuse,” “Love Shouldn’t Hurt,” “Speak Out,” and so on.

This year, as October approaches, I find myself looking at the statistics of the past year’s services here at The Charlotte House – 19 abused women and their 16 children residing in our shelter last year, 21 women and four men seeking non-sheltered domestic violence advocacy services in our community, 265 calls from individuals seeking information and referral regarding our domestic violence and sexual assault services, 19 individuals receiving domestic violence protection order assistance at our courthouse. While statistics and numbers are important in reporting our work, I am not a numbers person. I remember the stories behind the numbers, the faces of the women, men and children that I have worked with.

I wonder if a slogan can really convey the pain and the injustice and the fear that victims of domestic violence encounter every day. Is it possible to summarize in a few short words the enormity of the hope that exists when a woman chooses to believe the promise of no more abuse or the depth of despair when that promise is broken yet again?

Can a slogan truly capture the debilitating helplessness and low self worth that may cause a woman to choose an abusive partner over being alone in the world?

Slogans are not enough, but sometimes they are all we have to catch the eye of a speeding driver or distracted shopper. So whatever the slogan is this year, remember that in Wahkiakum County there are real women, children and men behind those words and numbers and we can all help.

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, please call us. We can be reached 24/7 at: 360-795-6400 or toll free at 1-866-795-9381.

Susan Schillios

The Charlotte House