For advocates and volunteers working with survivors of domestic violence (also known as domestic abuse or intimate partner violence), a grim reality they all face is that some abusers can and will resort to extreme levels of violence (including murder) if they feel they’re losing control.
In the past few months alone, the state of Massachusetts has seen several prominent domestic violence incidents, including a case of assault involving a Fitchburg state trooper, and murders committed in Worcester, Acton, and Waltham. This sharp rise in domestic violence incidents prompted a response from Dr. Christina Montalvo, Chief of Emergency Psychiatry at Tufts Medical Center.
In an interview with WCVB5 News, Montalvo spoke about the importance of ensuring DV survivors who come in seeking medical care feel safe and comfortable. She also stressed the greater importance of providing survivors with a non-judgmental space where they know they are being listened to and believed.
Montalvo’s comments align with REACH’s philosophy towards helping DV survivors. The REACH team sadly knows from experience that too often survivors are hesitant to speak up about the abuse they’re being subjected to because they fear that the person they confide in won’t believe them.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, you can call REACH’s free and confidential hotline at 800-899-4000. You can also call SafeLink, the Massachusetts state-wide domestic violence hotline, at 877-785-2020.
