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OASIS reaches out during Domestic Violence Awareness Month

by Amanda Fowler
Staff Writer

Observed each October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month has been growing annually since its creation in 1987.

This special month evolved from the Day of Unity, first observed in 1981, which then grew into an entire week, and later, a month, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) website.

Being accredited for the month’s founding, NCADV’s purposes for Domestic Violence Awareness Month are: to grieve for those who have died as a result of domestic violence, celebrate the ones who have survived and bring together sources who work to end violence.

Spearheading the crusade against domestic violence locally, OASIS (Opposing Abuse with Service, Information and Shelter), a volunteer organization, provides a variety of services to Watauga, Ashe and Alleghany counties.

During October, OASIS sponsors a Purple Ribbon Campaign where people are encouraged to wear a purple lapel ribbon in remembrance of a victim of domestic violence who has either died or survived.

Year-round, OASIS provides other services, such as a 24-hour crisis line for family violence and sexual assault. OASIS also serves as a shelter for the abused and their children and offers short-term counseling and support through the crisis period. Advocacy and campaigning for victims during medical examinations, law enforcement and court proceedings are also provided.

OASIS organizes educational programs in schools, camps, churches and civic and professional groups. Annually, OASIS visits kindergarten through third grade classes at eight elementary schools, using songs and skits to teach children about the dangers of domestic violence.

Last year, OASIS served 364 clients and answered 757 crisis calls. Many people do not understand exactly what domestic violence can encompass. It is generally thought of as strictly physical abuse. Domestic violence, however, can include emotional, verbal or sexual abuse.

“[Domestic violence is] anytime there is a power differential in a relationship,” OASIS volunteer coordinator Shelly Wainscott said.

Domestic violence is never recognized, in many cases, because emotional abuse is the most common form, Wainscott said.

Another myth about domestic violence is that it only happens to women. Men can be abused as well.

Wainscott said approximately 5 percent of OASIS’s clients last year were men.

Despite the fact that men can be victims as well, domestic violence is one of the most common causes of injury to women in the United States, according to WebMD.com. Once the violence begins the severity is likely to increase and escalate over time if left untreated.

Women in abusive relationships have a 50 to 70 percent higher chance of increased health problems due to the violence and stress of the relationship. These problems can include, but are not limited to: post traumatic stress disorder, migraine headaches, arthritis or chronic neck or back pain.

Problems created by domestic violence are not felt exclusively by the abused person. Children in the relationship can also suffer serious long-term affects. Unborn babies whose mothers are the victim of abuse are more likely to have low birth weight, premature birth or even death.

Children who witness abuse can have emotional, behavioral or cognitive problems. Boys can display the aggressive behavior they see at home and at school and teenage girls are more likely to commit suicide.

The violent behavior children see at home can become typical to them and they are more likely to exhibit this behavior in future relationships.

There are many opportunities to get involved with OASIS and assist families who may be experiencing these kinds of problems. Their 24-hour crisis line is manned by volunteers who undergo an 18-hour night and weekend training program. There are also newsletters to get organized and ready for distribution.

“Anything that comes up, we have volunteers to help us out,” Wainscott said. “ASU students are probably 85 percent of our volunteer base.”

For more information on services offered by OASIS or volunteer opportunities call 264-1532.