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54 °F Forecast | Road Cams Monday, April 5, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend March 30, 2004 10th of state women have been abused By JONEL ALECCIA Mail Tribune One in 10 Oregon women ages 20 to 55 have been physically or sexually abused by their intimate partners during the past five years, a new state report revealed Monday. More than half of those assaulted suffered serious harm, including broken bones, internal injuries, head injuries, cuts or knife wounds, according to a survey of nearly 3,000 Oregon women conducted by the state Department of Human Services. More than a third of the physical attacks and 20 percent of the sexual attacks were witnessed by children, the report showed. "This is a pretty prevalent problem and one about which there is a fair amount of denial," said Mel Kohn, DHS epidemiologist. Since the women were not questioned about their experiences over a lifetime, the prevalence of violence is likely higher than the survey shows, Kohn noted. Advertisement Generalized to the larger population, the findings of the intimate partner violence study indicate that more than 85,000 Oregon women were hurt by their spouses or lovers during the past five years. About 30,000 women — 3 percent of the population —were sexually or physically attacked by their partners in the previous year. The study showed that 98 percent of women were involved in heterosexual relationships; 2 percent were in lesbian relationships, Kohn said. Although the study wasn’t analyzed by county, Jackson County domestic violence advocates said the figures could be replicated here. "I’m sure we keep up with the rest of Oregon," said Maggie Jordan, managing director of victims’ services for Community Works of Medford. "I can just tell you that the shelter has been full for a long time. We’re constantly trying to keep up with the need." Community Works runs the Dunn House domestic violence shelter, a 32-bed center that serves about 500 women and children each year. The Oregon study, part of a $400,000 federal grant aimed at tracking intimate partner violence, revealed several striking findings: Less than two-fifths of seriously injured women received medical care. Of those, about one-quarter of the physical assault victims and nearly half of the sexual assault victims did not tell their medical providers how the injuries occurred. Women who were hurt averaged eight physical assaults and a dozen sexual assaults over a five-year period. Women whose partners had threatened them with violence during the past five years were 40 times more likely to report that they had actually been assaulted. After adjusting for other factors, American Indian women were four times more likely to report violence at the hands of their partners than other Oregon women. Women who reported violence during the past five years had higher rates of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, suicidal thoughts and substance abuse. "The impact of intimate partner violence extends beyond physical injuries," Kohn said. "Many Oregon women suffer long-term consequences of past abuse." In Jackson County, as elsewhere, between 92 and 95 percent of intimate partner violence is committed by men against women, Jordan noted. Although resources have been constantly aimed at the problem for decades, intimate violence endures, she said. "Something must be in place in society that allows that to continue," she said. "I’m not a man-basher, but I think there’s such an acceptance of the fact that men rule the roost." State and local advocates said medical providers are uniquely positioned to identify domestic abuse and to provide treatment and services. In addition, they called for continued vigorous community attention and involvement. "This is a problem 10 times more common than the incidence of breast cancer among women with nowhere near the resolve to solve it," Kohn said. Reach reporter JoNel Alecciaat 776-4465, or e-mail [email protected] Workshops, marches, shows focus on the issue during April Entertainment, trainings, workshops and marches will aim to raise understanding of sexual assault in April. Sexual Assault Awareness Month is an annual series of events sponsored by a Jackson County coalition of advocacy agencies. The monthlong effort begins Monday with a 1:15 p.m. proclamation ceremony at Community Works, 900 E. Main St., Medford. Jackson County Commissioner Dave Gilmour will lead the public declaration. Several other events are planned in April as well: Shout Out, 7:30 p.m. April 9, Bozz’ Bluez and Jazz Club, downtown Medford — The Rogue Valley Playback Theater and Broadway Phil and the Shouters will highlight local participation in the Shout Out, a national program promoting sexual assault awareness. Filled with comedy, improvisation and audience participation, it combines entertainment with an important message, organizers say. It’s sponsored by Asante Health System, Bozz’ Bluez and Jazz Club and the Jackson County Council on Domestic and Sexual Violence. The jazz club is at 17 Riverside Ave. For information, call 608-4903. Booth at the Pear Blossom Festival, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 10, downtown Medford — Advocates will sponsor a Sexual Assault Awareness booth at Medford’s Pear Blossom Festival. Sexual Abuse Community Awareness Training, 7 p.m. April 13, Smullin Center, Rogue Valley Medical Center, Medford — The public is invited to a training focusing on the way sexual predators target or "groom" children for abuse. It’s aimed at helping adults assume the responsibility of protecting children. Be Aware Faire, Shedding Light on the Issues of Women in Society, noon to 5 p.m. April 21, Rogue Community College, Medford — Women and men are encouraged to attend four workshops: Sexual Abuse Community Awareness Training, taught by Ann Wright, a nationally recognized expert on sexual abuse, and by Michael Fansler, a local parole and probation officer; Body Image, a workshop taught by Erika Giesen, a sociology instructor at Rogue Community College; People’s Art: Creative Art Therapy, a workshop taught by Delaine Due, a professional art therapist; Self Defense, a workshop taught by Ea Murphy Carrington, an Aikido practitioner. Take Back the Night, 5:30 to 9 p.m. April 21, Alba Park, Medford — Take Back the Night is an annual evening focused on empowering survivors of sexual and domestic violence. The event includes art, poetry, theater, music, food and a march through downtown Medford. Scheduled speakers include Jackson County Commissioner Sue Kupillas; women’s advocate Tanya R. Navarez of the Illinois Safe House Alliance; and Ed Roussell, director of development for Community Works. Marchers will meet at 5:30 p.m. on Central Avenue in Medford to walk to Alba Park. Other notable offerings include the band The Rosehip Ramblers; "My Short Skirt" from "The Vagina Monologues," presented by Lynnea Amend, a Southern Oregon University student; and a candlelight vigil to honor women who have died as a result of sexual assault. For more information about any of these events, call 779-2393, Ext. 270. Sexual Assault Awareness month is sponsored by the Jackson County Council Against Sexual and Domestic Violence, a coalition of more than 25 agencies, 45 regularly contributing community members and up to 100 occasional volunteers. The group meets from noon to 1:30 p.m. the third Wednesday of every month. Members of the public are invited to attend. 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