Ray Rice Violence
Dear Editor: The media has been saturated for the last week about circumstances surrounding Ray Rice’s use of violence against his girlfriend and the repercussions for him following the incident. This has also led to victim’s advocates being asked to educate the public as to how and why a woman would ever stay with someone who did something so horrific.
You may have heard some of the advocates’ replies: “The responsibility is not on the woman for staying, it’s on the abuser for using violence” or “they stay for lots of reasons: love, fear of retribution, financial security, the children, any number of things.” We know focusing on the woman’s choice to stay deflects from the abuser’s choice to use violence. The most lethal and deadly violence often occurs after the victim has finally made the decision to leave. It is the ultimate loss of control for the abuser and his sense of entitlement and ownership is shaken to the core. Staying may be the safest choice a victim can make. Though some media reports are still focusing on the question “why did she stay” versus “why did he choose to hit her,” we are heartened by the response on social media exploring the complexity of living with abuse, highlighted in the hashtag #WhyIStayed.
In the Rice case, his wife has clearly made the choice to stay for now. We at SAFV are disheartened that she has been treated so disrespectfully by the media continuing to run the video of her abuse publicly without her consent. Being battered can already be so difficult and embarrassing. But to have a video of the trauma she suffered viewed over and over by millions will undoubtedly cause more lingering negative effects for this courageous woman.
On Monday and Tuesday of last week the National Domestic Violence Hotline calls increased by 65 percent.
“We had an outpouring of women saying, ‘Oh my god, I didn’t realize this happened to other people.’ They thought they were living a life that was very unique to them,” said Katie Ray-Jones, CEO of the Hotline.
This happens every time there is a high profile domestic violence case with an abundance of media coverage. It is important to remember that domestic violence is epidemic and occurs every day. This issue deserves to stay high profile, regardless of the victim, just for the destructive and deadly crime that it is.
Remember, you can take an active part in supporting a friend or family member you suspect is being abused. Sometimes just lending an ear to help break the silence can do wonders. Call SAFV at 747-3370 for confidential support in helping others, or in helping yourself. No one deserves to be abused.
Vicki D’Amico, Executive Director,
Sitkans Against Family Violence
City Donation
Dear Editor: The Sitka Trail Works Board of Directors would like to thank the City and Borough of Sitka mayor and Assembly for their timely and much-appreciated donation in support of the efforts of our non-profit organization.
Sitka Trail Works was first incorporated in 1997, primarily to employ mill workers who had lost their jobs when Alaska Lumber and Pulp shut down in 1993. Those were difficult years for Sitka. In 2003, Sitka Trail Works and our partners at the city, state, Forest Service, National Park and Tribe got together on a plan to build a diversified trail system that would serve a wide range of users. We weren’t going to try to build every trail everywhere, but concentrate on a system that linked trails for transportation; Cross Trail and Separated Pathways with trails for recreation; Starrigavan, Harbor-Gavan, Indian River, Verstovia and the Sawmill Cove Loop Trails at Thimbleberry, Beaver Lake and Herring Cove.
Now, 11 years later that vision has become a wonderful reality. In the intervening years, piles of paper were moved, millions of dollars were raised and allocated to the trail system and folks were employed to build and maintain the trails. With the completion of the Sea Walk and Sawmill Creek Road Silver Bay Pathway, doesn’t it seem that more and more people of all ages and abilities are out walking and riding their bikes?
Sitka’s Trail system is something we can all enjoy and take pride in. We thank each and every one of our partners and each and every one who has donated to our efforts.
Brian Hanson, President,
Deborah Lyons, Executive Director,
Sitka Trail Works
