Domestic Violence, Substance Abuse and Men
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According to an article published by the Group Health Cooperative Center for Health Studies, women aren’t the only ones who suffer from episodes of domestic violence. In fact, men experience domestic violence as well and the impact of this on their health can be just as devastating.
Domestic violence in men is under-studied and often hidden- much as it was in women 10 years ago…We want abused men to know they’re not alone. -Robert J Reid, MD, PhD, Associate Investigator for Group Health Center for Health Studies
5 Myths About Domestic Violence in Men
According to Group Health, there are several myths surrounding domestic violence and men:
- Few men experience domestic violence. Based on in-depth phone conversations with over 400 randomly sampled adult male Group Health patients, 5% had experienced domestic violence in the past year while almost 30% had experienced some form of abuse over their lifetimes. For the purposes of the study, domestic violence included:
- Nonphysical Abuse: threats, chronic disparaging remarks, controlling behavior
- Physical Abuse: slapping, hitting, kicking, forced sex
- Abuse of men has no serious effects. Researchers found that domestic violence is associated with serious, long-term effects on mens mental health. Depressive symptoms were nearly three times as common in older men who had experienced abuse than in those who hadn’t.
- Abused men don’t stay, because they’re free to leave. Similar to women who often stay in abusive relationships for long periods of time; abused men were also found to follow a similar pattern.
- Domestic violence only affects poor people. This is not true; domestic violence is an equal-opportunity employer that can affect anyone.
- Ignoring it will make it go away. Ignoring a problem such as domestic violence will NOT make the problem go away. Eventually, the problem will manifest itself in some form, whether it’s in the form of alcohol or drug abuse.
If you know of someone who is in need of help for drug or alcohol abuse as it relates to domestic violence, contact a reputable drug and alcohol recovery center. Additionally, you can also call the National Domestic Violence Hotline toll free at 1.800.799.SAFE (7233).
For more information on substance abuse, contact Mark Houston Recovery today!
We are a group of friends that know and worked with a young woman named Joy Loftin while she was employed at the Vanderbilt YMCA here in New York City. During the length of her employment, several extremely disturbing incidents occurred that cause us to be concerned and call into question the motives and the integrity of Shan Colorado Finnerty, Hortensia Colorado, and Elvira Colorado.
On several occasions, Joy came to work with visible bruises on her neck and arms. She eventually explained to us that Shan had punched, beaten, and choked her and she asked us for help. As wardens for the community, we tried to place Joy in women’s shelters around the city in an effort to mitigate the abuse. However, at the urging of Shan’s mother and aunt, Hortensia and Elvira, she returned to their apartment and refused to press criminal charges against Shan Colorado Finnerty. The abuse continued and one day, she came to work very early, visibly distressed and crying, with more bruises and abrasions. She said that Shan had verbally abused and beaten her once again; that she wanted to return to California, and that she was going to quit her job and reunite with her family. She tendered her resignation later that week. Out of concern for her safety and in an effort to find out what happened to her, we requested an officer from the domestic violence unit of the 5th Precinct conduct a welfare check at their home on Kenmare Street. However the officer was unable to find anyone at the apartment, and therefore could not verify that Joy was safe. We realize that she is suffering from battered women’s syndrome and may be unable to help herself due to the isolationist environment that the Colorados have formed around her. Abusive men are often enabled by their family, while the victim is persuaded to believe the abuse is her fault, and the pattern of emotional and physical trauma continues. Taking into consideration what has happened to Joy Loftin, it is especially deceitful that their display “Altar: El Llanto De La Resistancia” at the American Indian Community House was in part dedicated to victims of domestic violence.
In light of these events, we are dismayed, disappointed, and outraged to know that members of the American Indian Community would commit, condone, and perpetuate domestic abuse and violence, while simultaneously conducting workshops, writing and performing plays, and displaying works and art that would have the public and those who support them believe otherwise. It is a vulgar and offensive misrepresentation of American Indian Culture, and further support of Coatlicue Theater, Hortensia Colorado, Elvira Colorado, Shan Colorado Finnerty and their work is tantamount to supporting domestic abuse and violence. Considering their duplicitous behavior, having them represent American Indian Culture is an insult to the dignity of American Indians and an affront to human beings.
We therefore will not attend nor support any Coatlicue Theater productions or events where they will be featured. We will be encouraging others that might consider attending, participating, or funding them to do the same. Our actions are warranted, and to be associated with the aforementioned individuals and Coatlicue Theater would be equivalent to enabling and contributing to such offensive behaviour. We are urging everyone to reevaluate their support of Coatlicue Theatre and the Colorados, and question the individuals concerned. Until the responsible individuals are held accountable and measures are taken to verify that the abuse is no longer occurring, we will continue with our boycott of Coatlicue Theatre and we will strongly urge others to do the same.