Guests: Shannon Barry, Executive Director, DAIS - Domestic Abuse Intervention Services
Dane County Sheriff Dave Mahoney
The statistics get our attention. Here are just some: 1 in 4 women will be a victim of domestic violence at some point in her lifetime; women make up over 84% of victims of abuse between spouses, and 86% of victims of violence between boyfriends and girlfriends; children exposed to domestic violence suffer low self esteem, depression, sleep difficulties, PTSD, and are at higher risk for problems in school, drug and alcohol abuse, sexual acting out, running away, fear and suicide. And incidences of domestic violence keep our law enforcement officials busy. Approximately 1/3 of all arrests in Dane County are domestic violence-related.
Shannon Barry and Sheriff Dave Mahoney are forthright in their description of what domestic abuse looks like in our community, the growing willingness for victims to come forward, and the support victims receive from the services of DAIS and law enforcement officials. On this program, they highlight the sometimes subtle danger sign of domestic abuse and give specific tips and tools that they use to prevent and confront domestic abuse.
Help and support are available: Go to abuseintervention.org or call DAIS at 608-251-4445 or 1-800-747-4045. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
If you are concerned about the safety of your pet, contact the Dane County Humane Society, giveshelter.org, or call 608-838-0413.
