BIG RAPIDS — Recent media coverage surrounding the homicide of Gabby Petito has brought attention to the issue of domestic and sexual violence against women.
FBI statistics on nationwide homicides reveal that a vast proportion of women killed in the U.S. are killed by a current or former intimate partner.
FBI data shows in 2018, of all female homicides where the relationship between the perpetrator and the victim could be identified, 92% of cases involved the victim being killed by someone they knew.
The local WISE organization — Women’s Information Services Inc. — in Big Rapids wants individuals to know that there is help for those suffering from a domestic violence relationship.
“When the media draws attention to tragic victims such as Gabby Petito, we are pleased to discuss how domestic violence victims can become survivors in our own community,” executive director Jane Currie told the Pioneer. “Domestic violence affects all people from every background, religion, ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation or identity and every socio-economic group. We are here and want to help you and those you care about.”
Currie said the first step in helping victims is education about narcissistic people and how they can manipulate others, as well as red flags that may be present in intimate relationships that are important.
“If someone finds themselves in a domestic violence relationship, there is help for them to leave,” Currie said. “First of all, if you are in danger, call 911. Our Big Rapids police, sheriff’s office, state police and Ferris campus police are highly skilled in domestic violence calls to help in an emergency."
“They will connect you to WISE if you need further assistance and support,” she added.
If an individual is not in imminent danger, but desires assistance, they can call the WISE crisis hotline at 231-796-6600, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“WISE staff are highly educated and experienced to listen and help,” Currie said.
WISE offers safety options such as emergency shelter for individuals, including those with children newborn to 18, fleeing intimate partner violence, Currie said.
In addition, they will work with individuals who have not yet decided to leave by offering safety planning, housing assistance, assistance with personal protection orders, court support, advocacy, referrals to other agencies that provide additional types of assistance, and transportation to vital appointments and WISE domestic violence support groups.
“We also assist bystanders who need questions answered on how to assist their relative, friend, neighbor or co-worker who is in a domestic violence relationship and how to identify the signs of someone being abused,” Currie said.
If you or someone you know is experience domestic or sexual violence, call 231-796-6600 for assistance. All WISE services are free.
COVID-19 IMPACT
A recent study from the National commission on COVID-19 and Criminal Justice, a team of national experts tasked with assessing the impact of COVID-19 on the justice system, estimated that in the United States domestic violence incidents increased 8.1% on average following stay-at-home orders.
The pandemic stay-at-home orders also increased domestic violence-related 911 calls, the study stated, while another study showed that emergency hotlines that provide crisis support to victims of domestic violence also saw a sharp uptick in calls.
Currie said that, initially, calls for service at the WISE organization declined during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“When we had the stay-at-home orders, people were stuck at home with their abuser, so they were afraid to call,” Currie said. “So initially calls dropped off to nothing.
“As things began to open back up, we were flooded with calls,” she continued. “We have been at full capacity since around last April and we have provided twice the amount of services that we did last year.”
Currie added that when the facility is at full capacity, they will work with clients in outreach until they can get them in shelter.
“If our house is full, if we can’t get them in here and they are not in danger, we work with them in outreach until they can come in,” she said. “If, at any time, they feel they are in danger, we will work with other agencies to get them in there. We work very well with other adjacent agencies throughout the state.”
SAFETY A TOP PRIORITY
For victims that fear for their safety when trying to flee, Currie said that the WISE organization has very strict confidentially and security protocols in place to protect their clients.
“There is a safety check we go through with them when they come into the house,” Currie said. “We talk about social media and posting, and we have them turn off the GPS on their phones.
“In addition, our staff is very well trained in confidentiality and we train the clients that come in,” she continued. “We protect our clients at all cost, and it can lead to an exit if a client does not keep the confidentiality.”
Currie said they have security cameras strategically placed inside and outside of the facility to keep a vigilance over the perimeter at all times, and if an abuser is able to find a client they can have the police on site within 30 seconds.
“We can’t give them 100% assurance, but we take every step possible to keep them safe, and we give them ways to keep themselves safe,” she said. “That is part of the safety planning we do.”
In addition to the crisis hotline, WISE offers a virtual domestic violence support group series on Google Meet facilitated by the Mecosta and Osceola county outreach advocates.
To sign up for the series, contact your advocate or call the hotline number at 231-796-6600.
October is domestic violence awareness month and WISE will be coordinating a social media blitz to bring attention to the services available for victims of domestic violence.
For more information on activities and resources go to the WISE Facebook page.
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