By Nicole Knieps
It’s October again! Which means it’s Domestic Violence Action Month. This month the Forks Abuse Program and community partners are making extra efforts to continue conversations around preventing domestic violence and promoting healthy relationships. Domestic violence and sexual assault are two issues that are 100 percent preventable, but it takes everyone in the community to prevent it.
Our agency has been participating in the facilitation of a Healthy Relationship Skills class for a little over a year now. The class has been presented primarily to men and has been extremely well received. During the ten weeks of facilitation, we cover topics that span the levels of community which participate in and can prevent domestic violence including: understanding our values, oppression, domestic violence, communication, boundary setting, and navigating conflict. Feedback from men who have taken this class centers around how helpful it has been in improving communication skills and identifying personal values. In this class, we are able to recognize that there is no such thing as a perfect relationship, each one needs work. While perfection may be out of reach, having a relationship where each person’s needs and wants are heard, autonomy is preserved, and no one person has power over another is a possibility for everyone.
The conversations we have in the Healthy Relationship Skills class are not exclusive to romantic relationships. Rather, this class promotes skills that are applicable to any relationship. Taking a class like this one is one way you can help prevent domestic violence because it grants the opportunity for informing yourself and practicing valuable skills.
One thing we do in this class is reflect on our values and where they come from. You can do this, too. Start by making a list of your values and choosing the top five most important to you. Then take time to think about where those values come from and how closely you live by those values on a daily basis. Through regular reflection on your values, you will have a stronger sense of who you are and what your needs are in a relationship. You will also be better able to respect and understand the values of others and how those values guide behavior.
In addition to reflecting on your values, we ask for your support in ending domestic violence through other action. Participate in events that promote wellness and anti-violence, engage in conversations about non-violent language and actions, be open to others’ stories. Above all else, practice love and kindness toward yourself and others. Our sense of community and human connection is our greatest strength.
For more information about other ways to get involved in ending domestic violence, visit Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence at wscadv.org. Additionally, a Healthy Relationship Skills class is currently being offered at Peninsula College for free to community members. We have completed half of the coursework and hope to offer it again in the new year. For more information, please contact us at 360-374-6411.
