CHI St. Alexius Health honors October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). Throughout October, we invite you to wear a purple ribbon in recognition of the victims and survivors of domestic violence. We also encourage our dedicated associates to welcome opportunities to tell domestic violence victims about the help and services that are available to them, educate the public, and inspire action to end all forms of intimate partner violence.
The statistics associated with intimate partner violence are staggering. One in three women and one in four men will be the victim of intimate partner violence at some point in her or his lifetime. According to CAWS North Dakota, the state sexual and domestic violence coalition, 5,356 new domestic violence victims last year received services from 20 local crisis intervention advocacy programs across our state. Locally, the Bismarck Police Department reported a 33.33 percent increase in domestic disputes last year answering 1,691 calls for service to respond to domestic violence incidents. Domestic violence is a problem in our community, but it’s preventable.
Along with seven other Catholic Health Initiative facilities in North Dakota, CHI St. Alexius Health is taking part in the ND Violence Prevention Program sponsored by Catholic Health Initiatives’ Mission and Ministry Fund. The Violence Prevention Program is working to strengthen the way intimate partner violence is addressed by providing training to health care and other professionals on ways to better assist victims of intimate partner violence and by providing individuals healthy relationship education to individuals.
As part of our DVAM 2016 activities recognizing the importance of community education and awareness on the issues and impacts of domestic violence, CHI St. Alexius Health’s Community Health Needs Assessment Violence Prevention Committee is sponsoring a training for area youth pastors using the evidence-based violence prevention curriculum, Safe Dates. Safe Dates helps adolescents and teens recognize the difference between caring, supportive relationships and controlling, abusive dating relationships. Participating congregations will then put their new found knowledge and skills into practice within their youth ministries.
Intimate partner violence is also a major health issue. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports women who have experienced domestic violence are 80 percent more likely to have a stroke, 70 percent more likely to have heart disease, and 60 percent more likely to have asthma. For this reason, CHI St. Alexis Health will acknowledge Wednesday, October 12 as Health Cares About Domestic Violence Day. This is a day for those in health care professions to recognize the critical importance of universal education to promote healthy relationships, address the health impact of abuse and offer warm referrals to domestic violence advocates.
In an effort to enhance the way intimate partner violence is addressed within the health care community, the Violence Prevention Program is hosting educational workshops for area medical facilities and University of Mary during the month of October. Workshops geared toward professionals provide a background on domestic violence, providing universal education and best practices in domestic violence screening. If you are interested in hosting a workshop for staff within your department contact Veronica with the Violence Prevention Program at vmzietz@primecare.org or 530-4973.
During the month of October consider incorporating a daily fact into social media posts to raise awareness of domestic violence.
Adapt these facts to fit your needs.
If you like hashtags, consider using: #DVAM, #DVAM2016, #DomesticViolence, #DomesticAbuse, #ViolencePrevention, or #ViolenceAgainstWomen.
1. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, stand in support of ending domestic violence and commit to doing everything you can to create a ND free from relationship violence and abuse.
2. CHI is committed to creating and promoting a culture of non-violence as an essential element of healthy communities and a healthier society. Listen to Kevin Lofton, president and CEO, talk about CHI’s commitment to violence prevention. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gg7OjdfRVJ4&feature=youtu.be
3. Catholic Health Initiatives is committed to creating communities free of intimate partner violence. To learn more or get involved, visit us!
Like us on 
Follow us on 