VALDOSTA — The Lowndes County Family Violence Task Force held its annual training recently at the Valdosta City Hall Annex.

The task force was created to increase awareness of domestic violence within the county, said Sheila Walker, therapist for Peace Way Counseling and Mediation Services and task force vice chairperson.

The training gathered agencies and advocates that work with people affected by domestic violence, including family violence intervention providers and social workers.

Karen Hayes is the victim services coordinator for the Lowndes County Solicitor General’s office and a task force member.

“The different agencies come together and collaborate, as well as, learn updated techniques and improving on what they’re already doing,” she said.

Advocates from Moody Air Force Base, the Haven, the Children’s Advocacy Center and the Southern District Attorney’s Office are among the training participants.

Hayes said the task force allows for more stakeholders and agencies to get involved. More involvement helps the task force identify strengths and weaknesses inside and outside of the criminal justice system.

Placed around the meeting room were cut-out figures to represent domestic violence victims who have died. 

“Domestic violence is a prevalent issue in Lowndes County, and we’re trying to educate and prevent,” Walker said.

Walker said domestic violence is rampant and seems to be getting worse. She said domestic violence heightens around holidays such as Christmas and Valentine’s Day.

“Sometimes, during the holidays, people maybe don’t have this or don’t have that, or they’ve already been violent … because it’s the pressure of kids wanting gifts … they’re not able to get things, maybe the father is in out of the home …

“Maybe the perpetrator is using alcohol or drugs, it heightens the situation because he or she may be more apt to drink during the holidays, during that time when it’s stressful … and it causes more risk or liability in the home,” Walker said.

It’s essential to identify the indications of abuse and trauma, Hayes said.

“It’s important to recognize the different signs of abuse and the trauma that victims and survivors have been through in order to effectively work with those victims and guide them along the process,” she said.

Signs consist of a person not wanting to be touched, not wanting to make eye contact, not wanting to take off clothes, isolation or signs of being controlled.

“It’s about jealousy. The abusers can be jealous, especially in dating violence,” Hayes said.

Constantly checking a person’s cell phone and asking a person where they are at all times are indicators that a person is abusive, she said.

A person can be economically abused if their partner has control of the couple’s finances and the person has no knowledge of the family worth or access to money, Walker said.

For anyone seeking assistance, call 1(800) 33HAVEN to get connected to the nearest domestic violence shelter. 

Amanda Usher is a reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times. She can be contacted at 229-244-3400 ext.1274.