Domestic violence affects 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men; 15.5 million U.S. children live in families in which intimate partner violence occurred at least once in the past year. In 2016, SOS provided 11,936 services to victims of domestic or sexual assault – here in your community. This sad reality exists in every state, every community, every neighborhood. It’s not just a women’s issue or a family matter – domestic violence affects victims, witnesses, friends, and family.

Beyond the obvious physical and psychological wounds, victims can experience lost wages, inability to focus and thrive at work or school, difficulty maintaining personal relationships and more. Intimate partner violence is often not about anger at all; it is about power and control. Perpetrators of domestic violence may use a combination of tactics to gain and maintain dominance, power and control over their victim.

Those victimized by perpetrators of violence often feel lost, depressed or unworthy.

SOS is giving you the chance to “Stand by a Survivor” at the Flint Hills Mall, where you can take a selfie with the SOS mannequin to show your support. Then share your selfie, tag @soskansas and help name the mannequin that will help bring awareness to SOS services at future events and presentations.

SOS is a nonprofit agency that serves child and adult victims of sexual and domestic violence, child abuse or neglect, serving Osage, Chase, Coffey, Lyon, Greenwood, and Morris counties. You can stand with SOS against domestic violence by helping spread awareness. To request a speaker or a presentation for a class, group or event, contact SOS at 620-343-8799 or  email tboyce@soskansas.com, or for information see www.soskansas.com.

Information thanks to SOS.