Domestic violence knows no color or religion or economic status or age. It is a fact, however, that 85 percent of the victims of domestic violence are women. One woman is beaten by her husband or partner every 15 seconds in the United States. The clock is ticking. It is widespread and under reported and affects most anyone in any hamlet, borough or community within the city of Oakland.

Behind closed doors and darkened windows, domestic violence most often is entrenched in households long before the police are called for the first time. More often than not it involves intimidation, isolation, threats and sexual abuse, with 30 to 60 percent of the perpetrators also abusing children in the home.

Area youth who witness years of home-based violence as a way of life are tragically and greatly affected. Witnessing this kind of violence between parents transmits violent behavior from one generation to the next. Boys who witness domestic violence are twice as likely to abuse their own partners and children when they become adults. Affected children have been known to exhibit, at a startlingly young age, emotional and behavior problems including withdrawal, low self esteem and self-blame.

Studies have shown a clear link between domestic violence and youth violence and assault, with distinctions being made as to which of the city’s youth will most likely become members of a violent street gang, who will be involved in a crime involving a gun or who is predisposed to use drugs and/or alcohol.

These are some grim facts and only paint a partial picture of this growing concern. Ready to address the real issues of domestic violence, the city of Oakland, the City-County Neighborhood Initiative, the Family Violence Law Center, A Safe Place, Highland Hospital's Caught in the Crossfire program, and Youth Radio are sponsoring a free event Thursday to raise the awareness level within the community and offer free, confidential support and counseling to families and individuals affected by it.

Officials and advocates encourage anyone in need of assistance to attend. Qualified and licensed counselors will be in attendance to offer free, confidential support. Local youth will also speak about how domestic violence affected their lives, and offer insight as to what can be done to change the home dynamic.

• Thursday, April 15
  
• 6 to 8 p.m.
• St. Mary’s Center Conference Room, 925 Brockhurst, Oakland
• Call: Anthony Toribo, Captain of Police, (510) 238-3958 for details

See other domestic violence-related events in Oakland this month.