A new light is being shone on the issue of domestic violence because of a recently released video documenting an abuser that happens to be famous. But many victims are never put in the same spotlight.
One domestic violence victim told WINK News that while violence documented on video is rare, violence is perpetrated daily.
The disturbing video has sent shockwaves across the country. Christy Carpenter is a survivor of domestic violence. “It was a brutal, brutal attack,” Carpenter said.
For her, seeing that video was like reliving a nightmare. “What I experienced was very similar to that was there was him punching her standing over her with his power and his strength. And while she was curled but defenseless against someone of that stature,” Carpenter said. “And with that amount of confidence that they had a right to be doing this to you.”
Yes, she did say that he was confident he had the right to do that to her. But Carpenter also says not to get caught up in the fact that the violent attack was caught on video. “I would, I would, I would venture to say out loud that this happens every day, in normal people’s household, and not just you know, know, a seemingly angry NFL football player, right? It happens everywhere,” she said.
A viewer asked WINK news if Zach Stacy would face more time in jail for destroying a television than for assaulting the mother of his five-month-old child. So, we asked Pamella Seay, a professor of justice studies at Florida Gulf Coast University.
“Because of the violence, and the extreme violence of this act against this person, not only is it a is it domestic violence, it is also a felony,” Seay said.
And you and you may look at anywhere up to 30 years in prison for what he… what he actually did,” said Seay.
Survivors of domestic violence say that the takeaway isn’t the video but that these sorts of attacks happen on a daily basis.
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Resources
- National Network to End Domestic Violence: Financial Abuse
- Consider applying for a micro-loan with NNEDV’s Independence Project to begin rebuilding your credit score.
- Domestic violence myths
- Domestic Violence Centers map
- 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
Charlotte County
Center for Abuse and Rape Emergencies
Phone: 941-639-5499
Hotline: 941-627-6000
SMS Text: 941-449-8534
TDD: 941-627-6000
Website: carefl.org
Chat: resourceconnect.com
Collier County
The Shelter for Abused Women & Children
Phone: 239-775-3862
Hotline: 239-775-1101
TDD: 239-775-4265
Website: naplesshelter.org
DeSoto County
Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center
Phone: 941-365-0208
Hotline: 941-365-1976
TDD: 941-365-1976
Website: sparcc.net
Glades County
Abuse Counseling and Treatment
Phone: 239-939-2553
Hotline: 239-939-3112
TDD: 239-939-3112
Website: actabuse.com
Hendry County
Abuse Counseling and Treatment
Phone: 239-939-2553
Hotline: 239-939-3112
TDD: 239-939-3112
Website: actabuse.com
Lee County
Abuse Counseling and Treatment
Phone: 239-939-2553
Hotline: 239-939-3112
TDD: 239-939-3112
Website: actabuse.com
Below are mental health resources available to Southwest Floridians at the national and local levels.
National Suicide Prevention Hotline
1-800-273-8255
suicidepreventionlifeline.org
David Lawrence Center (Collier County)
(239)455-8500
davidlawrencecenter.org
SalusCare (Lee County)
(239)275-4242
saluscareflorida.org
National Alliance on Mental Illness, Collier County
namicollier.org
National Alliance on Mental Illness, Lee, Charlotte, Hendry Counties
namilee.org
The National Alliance for Caregiving offers a free handbook
Circle of Care: A Guidebook for Mental Health Caregivers
Collier County Mental Health Court
ca.cjis20.org/home/collier
Lee County Mental Health Court
ca.cjis20.org/home/lee
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
convio.net
Local Support Groups: Anxiety and Depression Association of America
adaa.org
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (Mental Health and Addiction Insurance Help)
hhs.gov/programs/topic-sites/mental-health-parity
Local veterans resource: Home Base SWFL
https://homebase.org/home-base-southwest-florida/
