WomenSV’s Ruth Darlene Patrick on Why Community Education is Important for Understanding Domestic Abuse and Coercive Control

ATLANTA, GA / ACCESSWIRE / May 23, 2023 / Domestic abuse and coercive control are pervasive problems that can impact individuals from every background. Ruth Darlene Patrick, the founder of WomenSV, a nonprofit organization committed to assisting survivors of domestic violence, emphasizes the necessity of community education in recognizing and addressing these issues. She believes that educating professionals and communities is crucial for creating a more informed and conscious society capable of effectively confronting the intricate challenges posed by domestic abuse and coercive control.

“Domestic violence crosses all socioeconomic levels, professions, cultures, ages, and neighborhoods,” says Ruth Darlene Patrick. “When significant assets are involved, the abusive partner often has control over them, even if the spouse has their own career.” This underlines the need for educating those who may be able to spot warning sides of abuse, such as therapists, attorneys, physicians, and other professionals, to help them become more aware of the impact and prevalence of domestic violence and coercive control.

A primary objective of WomenSV is to raise public awareness and educate professional providers in legal, medical, and social services, as well as the broader community, about domestic violence so that it’s harder for abusers to isolate their victims and make them suffer in silence.

“Many people have a preconceived notion of what domestic abuse looks like and which communities it affects, but it can be found across varying socioeconomic status, race, gender, and other factors,” says Ruth Darlene. “Abuse also manifests in a variety of forms, including physical, sexual, emotional, verbal, spiritual, legal, and financial, making it even more difficult to recognize.”

To drive broader awareness of this important issue, WomenSV organizes numerous educational programs and connects domestic violence survivors with resources, so they understand they are not alone and can begin to establish a robust support network. “When victims decide to leave, they face an incredibly challenging road ahead,” says Ruth Darlene Patrick. “But with sufficient education, resources, and support, they can significantly increase their chances of breaking the cycle of abuse and creating a better life for themselves and their children.”

In addition to providing resources for survivors, WomenSV also concentrates on educating their survivors. “As a former teacher, I believe that when it comes to domestic abuse, education is the most effective form of prevention and intervention,” says Ruth Darlene Patrick. To this end, WomenSV invites guest speakers, including attorneys, detectives, law enforcement officers, cybersecurity experts, financial analysts, therapists, and retired judges, to educate and empower survivors.

WomenSV has been recognized on a national level for their work impacting the lives of women and educating the community, receiving numerous awards and accolades such as being recognized by The New York Times, the Wall Street Business Journal, and The Megyn Kelly Today Show. Additionally, WomenSV and Ruth Darlene have been asked to train various Fortune 500 companies in identifying and preventing covert and coercive control.

The significance of community education in recognizing and addressing domestic abuse and coercive control cannot be overstated. Ruth Darlene Patrick’s work with WomenSV serves as a potent reminder that educating professionals and communities is essential for creating a more informed and conscious society capable of effectively combating these widespread issues.

About WomenSV: WomenSV is a non-profit organization that works to empower survivors, train providers and educate the community to break the cycle of covert abuse and coercive control in intimate partner relationships. This organization operates with the mission of creating a world in which every woman and child can exercise their fundamental human right to live in peace, safety, and freedom in their own home.

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SOURCE: WomenSV