It’s no secret that the troubled economy has led to job losses, home foreclosures, and families struggling to make ends meet. But experts suspect that financial hardship may also be contributing to different kind of trouble: increased domestic violence.

Financial hardship is widely recognized as a significant risk factor for violence in the home. Newspapers around the country are reporting increased domestic violence arrests. Non-profits are seeing more victims seeking services. And it’s a trend our own community has not escaped.

Onondaga County First Chief Assistant District Attorney Domenic Trunfio recently reported that domestic violence arrests have increased in Onondaga County. “We are prosecuting more people than ever before,” he said. “And while we don’t pretend to have all the answers, we know that a poor economy can be a contributing factor to domestic violence.”

A 2004 study by the National Institute of Justice, part of the U.S. Department of Justice, revealed that couples under “extensive financial strain” had triple the domestic violence rates of others. Women whose partners were unemployed more than once in a five-year period were three times more likely to be abused. And women in low-income neighborhoods were more likely to be repeatedly injured by male partners. The National Domestic Violence Hotline saw a 21 percent increase in calls in 2009 compared with the previous year, and an 18 percent increase in October alone.

The most recent statewide data is no less troubling. A report released in September showed a 45 percent increase in domestic homicides in New York state counties outside New York City in 2008. Statewide, half of all females murdered in 2008 were killed by an intimate partner. And in Onondaga County, Trunfio pointed to an “alarming” increase in domestic violence homicides: six so far in 2009, in a community that typically sees three each year. In a new twist, half of these victims were men.

“We don’t know what these increases mean,” said Randi Bregman, executive director of Vera House. “There are questions we need to ask. Was there pre-existing violence in these relationships made worse by financial strain, or was this something new? Did the victim try to flee, resulting in an escalation in violence? Each case is unique, but changes of this magnitude are something our community needs to sit up and pay attention to.”

Experts who work with victims are careful when discussing the link between domestic violence and the economy. Bregman acknowledged that any increased stress in a family could be a risk factor, but was careful to place the blame where it belongs: on the abuser.

“Stress can be a catalyst, but our belief is that abusive behavior is a choice people make,” Bregman said. “You can be in the worst economic situation and still take care of your family, and our programs serve people of all economic backgrounds, rich and poor alike.”

One thing’s for certain: There is no shortage of need for services that help victims of domestic violence. “The crisis line has been ringing off the hook, our counselors are busy, and our shelter is full,” Bregman said.

Myths laid to rest
The most pervasive myth about domestic violence is the notion that victims can easily leave the relationship. It is seldom that simple. The difficulties start with what Bregman calls the ‘reality factors’—and then get even more complicated.

To begin with, escape is problematic for those who share a household. Perpetrator and victim may be bound by finances, children and other dependants, shared vehicles and many other interconnections. Victims who depend on their abuser for money may feel even more trapped when the household is struggling financially.

Along with logistical factors, complex emotions come into play. “Many times the abuser isn’t always abusive,” Bregman says. “When the relationship is good, it’s really good. Victims want the abuse to end, but the relationship to continue. In reality, that’s not always possible. In other cases, victims are afraid the abuser will hunt them down and kill them if they leave.”

Another misconception is that women are the only group at risk, but studies have shown that men frequently suffer abuse. In 2008 and 2009, the “Voices of Survivors” component to Vera House’s annual report to the community included men as well as women.

“Domestic violence effects a number of underserved populations, including men,” Bregman said. “When male victims come here, they sometimes worry that people will assume they are abusers. We want people to know that all victims, including men, are welcome here.”

Progress made, but a long way to go
Bregman needs only to look over the accomplishments during the 19 years she’s been with Vera House to paint a picture of the progress made toward reducing domestic violence in Onondaga County.

Bregman points to legal changes including the mandatory arrest and prosecution of abusers without the need of the victim’s consent or participation, the creation of a dedicated Domestic Violence Court branch of the Syracuse City Court, and special services for perpetrators who are on probation. Crouse, Upstate and St. Joseph’s hospitals have implemented Vera House’s Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner program, which trains nurses to understand the issues, take quality forensics evidence from sexual assault victims, and treat victims with compassion.

Still, Bregman says she dreams of a day that has not yet arrived. “I look at our work as climbing Mount Everest,” she said. “We’re somewhere up the mountain. We haven’t reached the peak, but we can look down and feel good about what we’ve accomplished. The survivors remind us there’s a lot to celebrate. People are living safe, healthy lives because they have been helped. But I would love to be at a point where we look back and say, ‘Remember the old days when we had domestic violence homicides?’”

How can I help?
Chances are, each of us will know someone who is a victim of domestic violence at some point in our lives. About one in four women will personally experience domestic violence in her lifetime. And when abuse is kept secret, it can escalate to serious injury, even death.

 “We don’t always think about it, but in our daily lives and relationships we often tolerate abusive and oppressive language, confrontations, and even a low level of physical violence,” Bregman said. “We’ve asked formerly abusive men in our Alternatives program what happened when someone challenged their abusive behavior. Every single one of them said no one ever did. We need to have more conversations as a community with people in our personal lives about what behaviors are acceptable.”

“If you suspect someone you know might be a victim, the first step is to make a personal connection,” Bregman explains.  “Just ask: ‘How are you today? Do you need anything?’ Invite them over for a cup of coffee. Try to casually open doors to a conversation. Ask if everything is okay. Once you know more about the situation and the dialogue is a little more comfortable, you can begin to be more specific: ‘It sounds like you’re always being put down. Does he always do that?’

“The person might immediately become defensive, and that’s when you need to be extra careful. In an effort to help someone, we can often take on the role of the abuser by being critical or pushing the victim to act as we think they should. We need to respect people’s right to their own choices and honor their perceptions and personal decisions. Instead of telling someone what to do, you could say, ‘I’m afraid for you but you don’t seem as afraid as I am. If you ever need help, I’m here.’”

Victims can be directed to Vera House’s website, www.verahouse.org, as well as Vera House’s 24-hour phone hotlines, 315-468-3260 (domestic violence hotline) and 315-422-7273 (rape and sexual assault hotline).

“If you think you need help, just call," Bregman said. "We don’t even need your name We’re going to walk hand-in-hand with you. We’re not going to drag you into something you’re not ready for.”

Comprehensive services for victims
United Way President Frank Lazarski said reducing domestic violence remains a top priority for United Way. “We’re proud to partner with Vera House to help address this issue and we’re proud of the progress we’ve made together,” Lazarski said. “But it’s clear that we have a long way to go.”

United Way of Central New York donors fund four programs at Vera House that work together to help victims of domestic violence and their children and educate the community about domestic violence issues:

Advocacy Program / receives $83,700 in annual funding.
Offers comprehensive services to victims of domestic, sexual and family violence. The program offers 24-hour crisis and support hotlines, and crisis intervention at area hospitals, law enforcement offices, schools, and nursing homes.

Counselors help victims understand the dynamics of abusive relationships, develop a personal safety plan, and sort out their options; and support groups offer education in a supportive setting where women can connect with others who have had similar experiences.

Victims also receive specialized help with a wide variety of problems, including temporary orders of protection and custody, advocacy in family court cases, and a legal clinic where an attorney can help with divorce or legal problems.

Coalition and Education Program / receives $13,950 in annual funding.
Works to develop a community-wide response to domestic violence and sexual assault while building a culture of equality and non-violence. The Coalition includes members from the clergy, the healthcare community, education, nonprofits, survivors of domestic violence, and more than 80 agencies of the justice system.

The group educates the community about domestic violence using hundreds of training programs that reach thousands of people and distributing thousands of printed brochures, resource manuals and instructional videos. A main focus is delivering a consistent message to victims, perpetrators and their families: that every person deserves to be safe in their relationships, and that abusers will be held accountable for their actions.

Youth Counseling Center / $77,190
and Youth Education Program / $41,850 in annual funding.
These two programs offer specialized counseling to meet the unique needs of youth affected by sexual abuse and/or domestic violence; and work to educate youth both in school and in the community on sexual abuse prevention, domestic violence awareness, healthy relationships, dating violence and elder abuse.