Capitol Report
By State Representative, Leon D. Young
Leon D. Young
For most of us, October marks the start of another fall season and, later in the month, the playful occasion of celebrating Halloween. Many of us will spend a lot of time and energy selecting just the right costume to wear.
However, the month of October holds a great deal of importance for another reason as well. Let’s not forget that October is also designated as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. But, what’s the significance of this particular designation?
Domestic Violence Awareness Month is a time to recognize the courage of people who have said “no” to violence and to spread awareness about domestic violence emergency shelters and services.
But what exactly is domestic violence? Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior characterized by the intent to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner or other family members. The abuse can be established over time and in most cases, it begins subtly with insults, a shove or by alienating the survivor from family and friends. With time, the abusive behavior can be more frequent and severe. Domestic violence can take many forms such as:
• Physical. Any use of force that causes pain or injury, such as hitting, kicking or slapping.
• Sexual. Abuse can include sexual harassment, sexual assault or manipulating a person into having sex by using guilt or threats
• Emotional and/or verbal. Constant criticism, threatening to hurt loved ones or harassment at school or in the workplace
• Economic. Controlling a person’s income or financial assistance, misusing one’s credit or making it difficult for a person get or maintain a job
• Psychological. Minimizing or blaming a person for the abuse, intimidation and/or threats or destroying property
Domestic violence is characterized by violent actions or threats of violent actions, including behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize, coerce, threaten, blame, hurt, injure or wound a partner. Moreover, domestic violence is the most commonly used term for this kind of violence, but it is also known as intimate partner violence, family violence or battering.
These definitions vary between states, countries and organizations, but they are all based in the same premise — the abuse of power and control in familial, co-habiting or intimate relationships.
Meanwhile, an event will be held this Saturday, October 15, to aid in the fight against domestic violence right here in our city.
Milwaukee native and fashion consultant Tasha Pumphrey, a.k.a – Tspot- Styles, is hosting a fundraiser/ fashion show for the benefit of the Sojourner Family Peace Center.
This facility has the critical responsibility of providing a safe haven for women and their children who find themselves victims of domestic violence.
The event, called Sojourner “An Evening of Glam,” is an attempt to “stomp domestic violence down the runway.”
The fashion show is being held at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, 325 W. Walnut Street, from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Tickets range in price from $50 to $75; and, all proceeds will be donated to this very worthwhile cause – arresting domestic violence.