Healthbeat is a new nonprofit news site covering public health issues with offices in Atlanta and NYC. Reporters from Healthbeat have done a fantastic job this Domestic Violence Awareness Month highlighting domestic violence as an issue of public health.
In City of Atlanta wants to address domestic violence. Front-line survivor advocates say publicity is not enough, reporter Allen Siegler writes:
Domestic violence is a public health threat with economic instability, youth mental illness, firearm access, and alcohol and substance use disorders all contributing – systemic issues that can be addressed by federal, state, and local policymakers with the right information.
In 2023, the state saw 163 deaths related to domestic violence – 92 victims, 27 bystanders and 44 perpetrators, according to the Georgia Commission on Family Violence.
“There is so much knowledge and wisdom in the community, in the metro Atlanta area, from working with survivors for decades,” said Kyra Hanlon-Batiste, community engagement director for the Women’s Resource Center to End Domestic Violence ...
In a later follow up Where to get help for domestic violence in metro Atlanta, Siegler highlights resources available for people experiencing a dangerous home environment, including both our agency's core services, such as our safe house, and our unique services such as our Supervised Visitation and Exchange Center.
In addition to running hotlines, family violence shelters certified by the state have to provide a variety of free services. Survivors are offered individualized safety plans, safe temporary living in locations away from anyone likely to endanger them, legal and need-based advocates, counseling, health care referrals, and child-specific aid.
Shelters only provide services if victims want them, and they’re required to operate in a way that prioritizes safety. There’s no maximum length of time people can live at the shelters, but shelters may have stay limits related to issues like bed availability.
Some shelters offer additional ways to help survivors of domestic violence. The Women’s Resource Center, for example, has a supervised visitation and exchange service to create a way for children to see their parents while protecting victims’ safety.
“We keep the whole family safe while honoring the fact that folks are capable of repairing harm and being committed to changing and growing,” Hanlon-Batiste said.
Follow Healthbeat as they continue to highlight important public health issues throughout the year.
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