Karla's Kolumn

Domestic Violence Awareness Month occurs every October to bring a heightened awareness to the problem of domestic violence. However, there are many organizations who work on preventing domestic violence and bringing awareness including Washakie County’s Crisis and Prevention Center and nationally the National Network to End Domestic Violence.

During October many events are held to promote awareness of domestic violence, including the recent Wyoming Silent Witness Ceremony held here in Worland.

Silent witness. The phrase has powerful meaning. The witnesses in the ceremony are “silent” because they have been silenced through domestic violence. They were killed during an act of domestic violence. These “witnesses” only have a voice through ceremonies such as was held in Worland.

But, we all don’t have to be silent witnesses.

In 2013, the “No More” campaign was launched by, according to the website no more.org, “by a coalition of leading advocacy groups, service providers, the U.S. Department of Justice and major corporations.”

“No More” takes a stand against domestic violence and sexual assault.

After several high profile domestic violence cases in the NFL, the “No More” campaign became highly visible with a strong television ad campaign.

It’s time we all said “no more.” It’s time we do not remain silent.

A reader recently wrote that ceremonies such as the silent witness while nice won’t do anything to change society. It has to come from the fathers and grandfathers.

While he’s right to a degree, there is something everyone can do. Yes, we need every man and woman (as men are victims of domestic violence, too) to realize violence is not the way to show love, violence is not how you treat someone you love. We must teach our young people respect; our young men to respect women. Only then can we begin to turn the tide.

But until, then, we can speak out when we see acts of violence, when we suspect someone is being abused, we can reach out to that person, or reach out to an organization like Crisis and Prevention Center and see if they can get that person help.

We don’t have to be silent witnesses.

I remember many years ago, as a young person fresh out of college. I was living in a upstairs apartment of a home in Lovell. One day I heard the mother and young daughter screaming. I heard things being thrown. I heard the daughter yell, “Momma, don’t hit me.”

No, I didn’t immediately call the cops. But the next day I did talk to a friend of mine who was the elementary school counselor. She gave me the name of the Department of Family Services personnel. I called.

I don’t know what DFS determined, except that the daughter remained at home, but I knew I couldn’t remain silent and I didn’t.

We shouldn’t judge domestic violence victims for remaining silent or remaining with their abuser. We haven’t walked in their shoes, we don’t live in their situation. What we should do is support, encourage and speak out when we can, speak out and speak up for those who can’t and say “no more.”