By Jo Valenti, BSN, RN, Cumberland County Mental Health Advocate
According to the National Institutes for Health, domestic violence affects many families in the United States (https://www.nih.gov/). An estimated 12 million men and women are victims of domestic violence each year. As many as one in four women and one in nine men are affected. Domestic violence impacts the entire family, especially the children who witness the violence. Two out of three children in the United States experience trauma or violence. These experiences can affect a child’s development and increase the risk of harmful behaviors, and the risk of future physical or mental health issues.
The CDC-Kaiser Permanente Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) study is one of the largest investigations of childhood abuse and neglect and household challenges. The original ACE study was conducted at Kaiser Permanente from 1995 to 1997. The conclusions reached pointed to a strong relationship between adverse childhood experiences, including physical violence and sexual abuse, with poor health later in life.
Given the wide prevalence of violence and abuse along with the far-reaching implications throughout the victim’s life, this is a serious problem. So, what can be done?
According to the Center For Family Services website (centerffs.org), a large human services nonprofit with services across New Jersey, Protective & Compensatory Experiences (PACEs) can counteract the damaging effects of adverse childhood experiences. These protective experiences include unconditional love from a caregiver, positive parenting and having rules and routines. Counseling for the family and for the child is another important tool. The family needs to learn these skills and build confidence in the ability to heal.
Peaceful Tomorrows is a program offered by Center For Family Services that provides services for youth who have been exposed to domestic violence. Through a trauma-informed lens, Peaceful Tomorrows provides counseling and therapeutic services for children and adolescents, along with their non-offending parent or caregiver, to support them in their healing journey. Counselors use research-based therapeutic methods to help participants work on such things as skills to cope with the impact of domestic violence, reduce trauma reactions, and re-establish a positive connectedness to the adult world. Peaceful Tomorrows offers children a safe environment to experience and express a range of emotions, explore nonviolent ways of managing anger, and be empowered to make choices, experience personal respect, and heal from the effects of domestic abuse.
If you or a person you know is a victim of domestic violence, the information below will get you connected to free services to help you begin your journey of hope. Camden, Cumberland, and Gloucester County youth ages three to 18 with a non-offending parent/s or caregiver/s who have been exposed to domestic violence are encouraged to contact Peaceful Tomorrows by calling 877-922-2377, emailing access@centerffs.org or visiting https://www.centerffs.org/our-services/trauma-victim-response/peaceful-tomorrows
The Cumberland County Mental Health and Addictions Board actively promotes awareness of stigma and the need for public education regarding mental health and addiction. The Board meets monthly, and the public is invited to attend. Refer to the meeting schedule on the Cumberland County website for meeting dates. The Board is also seeking new members. Interested persons should send a letter of interest and a resume to Melissa Niles, Cumberland County Human Services, 70 W. Broad Street, Bridgeton, NJ 08302 or melissani@cumberlandcountynj.gov
