Long-Term Plan To End Domestic Violence Unveiled

A three-year plan to help end domestic violence in Central Indiana was unveiled Thursday night.

The Domestic Violence Network calls its plan “Intersections.” Advocates believe they can work to reduce domestic violence by studying prominent social issues like education and mental health that influence, and sometimes cause it to happen.

Every six months for the next three years the group will focus on one of six topics. The first is economics. As Director of Programs and Research Chris Handberg explains, men and women in abusive relationships are often trapped because of money.

“When you’re on the outside of a relationship that’s abusive, it’s really easy to look in and say, ‘Well why don’t you just kick him out?’ or ‘Why won’t you change the locks?’ or ‘Maybe you should just move.’ But it’s never that easy,” Handberg says.

Handberg says they will use community discussions, consultation and educational opportunities to accomplish their goal.