Battery awareness in relationships
Carly Blahnik
Issue date: 11/9/09 Section: Campus Life
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Coleman, executive director for Crisis Center North (CCN), was invited by Psi Beta to speak to students and the campus community Sept. 30, 2009, to hear the facts on this serious topic.
She began her presentation with having everyone in the room stand up, dividing them into three groups. Two groups were then asked to sit down, and the remainder represented the segment of people who are or have been in abusive relationships. The point was clear-the number is growing at an alarming rate.
"One hundred people in Pennsylvania died from domestic violence last year," Coleman told the audience. "Women's battery and, in some cases, even men's, is 'America's dirty secret.'"
The World Health Organization has conducted studies in the US, Canada, Australia and South Africa that found 40-70 percent of female murder victims were killed by husbands or boyfriends.
Coleman described abusive relationships and what victims go through. She painted a shocking picture of the kinds of abuse people withstand and also made it clear that no one has to accept abuse. She stressed that paying attention to the red flags can often help keep someone out of danger.
The CCN lists characteristics of a batterer that are warning signs to anyone in a relationship.
Excessive violence, verbal abusiveness, controlling behavior, unwillingness to control anger, use of violence, alcohol and drug abuse, rigid gender roles, former victim or witness to domestic violence, lack of sensitivity, insecurity and low self-esteem, denial of responsibility, lack of communication, lack of intimacy, dependency and self-centeredness are definite signs of an abuser.
The CCN provides services and assistance to those in need at all times. Their 24-hour hotline has representatives waiting to help in the case of an emergency.
Assisting Coleman in the presentation was Allison Martin, another employee at CCN. She also stressed that one of the center's main goals is to stop the problem before it starts.
"Doing education pieces and training volunteers is one of the best parts of the job," said Martin.
Coleman agrees that teaching others about abuse in relationships and how to get out is rewarding, and she wants victims to know it is never too late to change your life for the better.
She describes herself as a "Lifelong Learner" and has experienced many careers and opportunities so far. Her passion for exploring life and teaching led her first into a career in Journalism and also a career teaching at a community college. These careers helped push her into the field she is in today.
"What I'm doing is a lifestyle choice," said Coleman. "Some people have jobs, but I consider this a lifestyle. It impacts every aspect of my life."
Domestic violence and battery in any relationship does not have to continue. There are people available to assist those in need. The Crisis Center North hotline is available at all times at 412-364-5556.