CBS News anchor Dan Rather was in Columbus Friday to help host the 10TV Town Hall meeting on “Breaking the Cycle” of domestic violence.
The meeting featured expert panelists on domestic violence, including survivors and advocacy groups. It also explored topics on the reality of domestic violence, the legal system, prevention and education.
Rather and WBNS-10TV anchor Angela Pace co-hosted and asked questions to esteemed panelists like Yvette McGee Brown, president of the Center for Child and Family Advocacy at the Columbus Children’s Hospital; Abigail Wexner, founder of the Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence; and Judge Ronald Adrine, member of the board of directors for the Family Violence Prevention Fund in Cleveland.
Pace said one in four women is affected by domestic violence, which feeds a never-ending cycle of violence for the children of victims. She also said domestic violence is the leading cause of death for pregnant women.
“Domestic violence establishes power and control using a variety of tactics – economic abuse, isolation, coercion and threats,” said Gail Heller, executive director of CHOICES. Heller’s program provides services for victims and survivors of domestic violence.
The Columbus Children’s Hospital works with the community to prevent domestic disturbances and violence. Brown’s advocacy group at the hospital provides training, education and research and treatments to families stricken with domestic abuse.
She spoke of the effects that domestic violence can have on children and said children are smarter than people acknowledge.
“Children learn what they live,” she said. “They learn that control can get you what you want; these children are so perceptive.”
According to a study done by the Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence, 80 percent of violent juvenile offenders and adult prisoners lived in homes where violence was commonplace.
Julia Andrews, a women who became victim to her husband’s violent attacks, said she thought she would never be involved in a violent relationship.
“I swore no man would ever lay a finger on me,” she said. “He told me he’d kill me and that he would kill himself.”
Ohio has one of the most progressive laws on domestic abuse, Adrine said. He also said he is trying to find different forms of intervention for the Cleveland community.
Wexner’s advocacy group is a private non-profit organization whose mission is to create a culture that does not tolerate family violence. The organization forms alliances with corporate, medical and faith communities, law enforcement and social service agencies.
“People should be really aware of the issue; the community should not tolerate violence,” she said. “Columbus is an incredibly generous community; when need is recognized, it is galvanized.”
She said everyone should be empowered to make a difference and that domestic violence isn’t a private matter – it’s a crime. She encouraged people to call law enforcement or child services if they witness a form of domestic violence.
Rather and Pace offered solutions to those who might be victims of domestic violence. They said to seek support, try to make an escape plan and call 911 because it could save someone’s life.
“No one deserves to be abused,” Rather said. “It is not your fault. Help is available at a number of community resources.”
