Smoke Signals July. 1994 Page 4
Health and Human Services
Chemical dependency counseling
Domestic violence help available to tribal members
Submitted by Cindy Canti
It is a fact that drug and alcohol abuse is directly related to
abusive relationships.
Despite greater public awareness, however, myths and
misconceptions about battered women's experiences per
sist. Interventions that are based on these myths can have a
devastating effect on victims and their families. Although
the vast majority of battered women are not alcohol or
substance abusers, those who are confront a system that is
well-equipped to deal with their needs - especially for their
need for safety.
Addictions treatment
In the addictions treatment system, misinformation often
leads to the application of an addictions model to domestic
violence, an approach that has particularly harmful conse
quences for battered women. Through this framework,
battering is identified either as a symptom of alcohol abuse
or addiction, or as an addiction itself. The interventions that
follow are based on number of harmful, false assumptions:
- Alcohol use andor alcoholism causes men to batter.
- Alcoholism treatment alone will address the abuse ad
equately. - Battered women are co-dependent and thus contribute to
the continuation of abuse.
- Addicted battered women must get sober before they can
begin to address their victimization.
(From the New York State Office for the Prevention of
Domestic Violence, by Theresa M. ZubretskyandKarlaM.
Digirolamo.)
Often initial interviews don't include an assessment for
adult domestic violence. Even when domestic violence is
identified, it is often assumed that treatment for substance
abuse must first occur before the victimization can be
addressed.
One of the concerns with the sobriety first approach is that
it doesn't consider the increased risk of violence that a
women's recovery may precipitate. Batterers are often
resistant to their partner's attempts to seek help of any kid,
including substance abuse treatment.
They may sabotage their partners' recovery by preventing
them from attending meetings, keeping appointments, or
they may increase the violence to re-establish control.
Some substance abusing battered women decide to leave
treatment when their participation appears to compromise
safety. In addition, substance abuse treatment that doesn't
address the violence is likely to be ineffective.
If recovering female alcoholics are further victimized their
alcoholism treatment can be ineffective.
Domestic violence facts
- Nearly one-quarter of United States women, more than 12
million, will be abused by a current of former partner some
time during their lives.
- 47 percent of husbands who beat their wives do so three
or more times a year.
- An estimated 52 percent of female murder victims were
killed by a current or former partner.
- The FBI says that 30 percent of women who were
murdered in 1990 were killed by husbands or partners.
-14 percent of married women report being raped by their
current orformer husbands. Rape is a significant, major form
of abuse in 54 percent of violent marriages.
- 22 percent to 35 percent of women treated in hospital
emergency rooms have been battered.
- At least 10 percent of the female victims require
hospitalization.
- 75 percent of battered women receiving emergency medi
cal care will go on to suffer repeated abuse.
- 30 percent of all women who are battered are pregnant.
- 95 percent of all spousal abuse is committed by men.
Help is available
The Counseling Component of the Tribal Family Action
Program advises that if you are, or know someone who is a
victim of domestic violence, you have help available. If you
live in Polk County call 623-4033, in Yamhill County, 472
0244. Both numbers are on crisis lines.
If you need assistance call Joann Mercier at 879-2038
The Grand Ronde Tribal Counseling staff can help with
domestic violence issues. Call the Chemical Dependency
Program (503) 879-2026, or the Tribal Family Action Pro
gram (503) 879-2034 or (800) 755-0095.
Spirit Mountain Fun RunWalk
Aug. 20, 1994
Grand Ronde, OR
Prizes include trophies and ribbons
1 mile, 5K (3 miles), 10K (6 miles) Registration fee:
$8
Walk For Health (all ages) Registration fee:
$8
Registration after Aug. 17, 1994 Add $3 for late
fee
Participant Instructions:
Completely fill out the official entry form and return it
with the appropriate registration fee to the Grand
Ronde Tribal Health Program, 9615 Grand Ronde
Road, Grand Ronde OR 97347 before Aug. 17, 1994 or
at the registration table at the event site before the event
begins on Aug. 20, 1994.
If you are under 18 years of age, your parent or guard
ian must sign the waiver.
1 mile, 5K, 10K race time: 8:30 a.m. Aug.
20, 1994
Walk for Health: 8:30 a.m, Aug. 20,
1994
Runners will start their races and walkers will start
immediately afterwards. We ask that walkers stay to the
right of the road so that runners will not have their
running times affected. Thank you.
Events are to be completed by 10:30 am.
"715 AlmualplrirMolmlinlm RurTWalkToTHealtF "J
I Registration I
Fee: j
I Name:
I Address: '
j City: State:
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WAIVER: I hereby release the Confederated Tribes of
Grand Ronde
Community and the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde
Community Health Programs of all liability that may
result from participation in any of these events. In filling
out this form, I acknowledge that I have ;ead and fully
understand my own liability.
I Signature (parent or guardian if under 1 8 years.)
Date I
I I Mile 5K 10K Walk for Health I
I T-shirt size (circle one) Child: S M Adults: SL j
XL XXL
T-shirt sizes based on availability
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The Wellness and PreventionComponent presents:
Co-Ed Volleyball
Tournament
Saturday, August 20, 1994 -10 a.m.
During the Annual Grand Ronde Pow-Wow
- $65 entry fee, entry fee includes six volleyball
toumamen T-shirts per team.
- Players must be at least 14 years of age.
- Preregistration must be in by Aug. 5 1994
-Preregistration will insure a position and T-shirt.
- Double elimination.
- Additional T-shirts may be purchased.
i : 1
j Team contact person: j
I Address:
Phone:. Work:
Team
Name:
Names of players:
Entry fee must be included with the entry form
Please do not send cash
I Send entry form and fee to: I
Wellness and Prevention Program
jlst, 2nd, 3rd Place Trophies! j
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