A look at combatting domestic violence in Gaston County
A look at combatting domestic violence in Gaston County AOL
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Combating Domestic Violence in Gaston County
Bea Cote has dedicated her life to combating domestic violence for the past 25 years. Working in five counties in the Charlotte region, she emphasized that she feels most welcomed and best heard in Gaston County. However, it is also where she is most needed, as she has more domestic abuser clients here than in any of her other counties, including Mecklenburg, Cleveland, Lincoln, and Union.
Gaston County has a significant issue with domestic violence, with two domestic violence murders occurring in recent weeks. While most domestic violence services focus on helping victims, Cote’s program, IMPACT+ Abuse Prevention Services, specifically targets male abusers. During a luncheon program at the Belmont Rotary, she explained that only abusers can stop abuse and without providing them an effective way to do so, the cycle of abuse will continue.
Cote stated, “Victims are our hidden clients. We work with the abusers for the victims. If you want to help victims, you must help abusers.” Since 2007, Cote has been working in Gaston County, and Queen of the Apostles Catholic Church in Belmont provides space for her group sessions.
Most of the abusers she serves are referred to her program by judges. Cote expressed her disappointment that Gaston County has not established a dedicated domestic violence court, unlike the other four counties where she works. Each of those counties has a special court for domestic violence cases.
Cote highlighted the financial costs of domestic violence to the county, including lost wages, healthcare, and education. IMPACT+ Abuse Prevention Services is a nationally recognized non-profit program that relies mainly on donations for support since it cannot bill insurance. While abuser clients are required to pay a modest fee to participate in the program, many cannot afford it. Contributions are primarily used to provide scholarships so that abusers can receive the help they need to change their behavior.
Throughout her years of work, Cote has witnessed numerous successes, with many abusers significantly improving after completing the program. Some even return as mentors to help other abusers. However, there have also been failures, and Cote sadly mentioned that the only abuser to complete the program and go on to kill someone was in Gaston County.
Supporting IMPACT+ Abuse Prevention Services
To support IMPACT+ Abuse Prevention Services financially or to seek help in changing your behavior or that of someone you know, please contact Bea Cote at 980-721-7268 or visit www.impactdv.org/#impact.
This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: A look at combatting domestic violence in Gaston County
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Related to the Article
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.
- SDG 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.
- SDG 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Number of domestic violence murders: The article mentions that two domestic violence murders have occurred recently in Gaston County, indicating the prevalence of violence.
- Existence of a dedicated domestic violence court: The article states that Gaston County does not have a dedicated domestic violence court, which can be an indicator of the level of institutional support for addressing domestic violence cases.
- Financial support for abuse prevention services: The article mentions that IMPACT+ Abuse Prevention Services relies mainly on donations for support, indicating the level of financial resources available for addressing domestic violence.
- Success rate of behavior change programs: The article mentions that some abusers become better and even come back as mentors, while one abuser completed the program and went on to kill someone. This indicates the effectiveness of behavior change programs in reducing violence.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation. | – Number of domestic violence murders – Success rate of behavior change programs |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere. 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. |
– Number of domestic violence murders – Existence of a dedicated domestic violence court – Financial support for abuse prevention services – Success rate of behavior change programs |
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Fuente: aol.com
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