What Time Is It? Lessons Learned from a Domestic Violence Seminar

Thursday evening I participated in an ongoing domestic violence seminar. It is a panel of individuals including survivors and clinicians who are trained to counsel persons who are in need of help. As I sat through listening to other survivor stories, I was struck by the effort being made by state agencies to address the growing problem domestic violence has become. A well coordinated effort is being made to not only address the issue but to find solutions and prevention. In other words, the more we know about the causes and triggers in behavior patterns that lead to abuse, the more we can design programs aimed at prevention.

I ask what time is it because the advances made now did not exist years ago. In fact I can think of how I would have benefitted from a survivor forum and how much the abuser in my story would have learned about the behavior patterns that contributed to his actions had one of these domestic violence seminars existed.
What time is it really? It is time for healing; it is time for a greater understanding and more investment in programs that have proven track records in educating the public on how to identify risk factors and patterns.

As I sat in the seminar, I marveled at how time has changed and even in the changing times, I was amazed at the profile of an abuser that hasn’t changed. Our perceptions may have altered over time, but the facts are the facts. As I look around me today I am grateful at the increased awareness of domestic violence in various communities I visit. I am encouraged to see the valiant efforts by governmental bodies in tackling the problem head on. I also have noticed individuals will talk about it, where in some cases years ago, it was dealt with in very veiled and secretive manner. Don’t get me wrong, there is still a long way to go, but it is getting better. As far as I am concerned, the battle will be over when no one turns a blind eye to the scourge domestic violence is on the society.

What time is it? It’s time for change. Change in our attitudes, our perceptions; if we take a look around us, we’ll see that the world has changed. Things that were a non-factor ten years ago have emerged as pertinent issues of our time. Domestic Violence is our issue, so let’s get it fixed.