Rural women are more likely to be the victims of domestic abuse than urban women, and two rural Southeast Missouri counties have among the highest rates of domestic abuse in the state.
It is estimated that one in three women and one in four teens are victim to domestic violence in the United States, but not every case is always reported and most victims do not take legal action.
In 2011, 40,642 cases of domestic violence were reported to the police in Missouri, according to the Criminal Justice Information Services Division. Mississippi County had 1,631 reports per 100,000 peoples and Scott County reported 1,478 incidents per 100,000 in 2011 according the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence.
The House of Refuge for Abused and Battered Women is a sixteen room shelter located in Scott County, Mo. Rozz Ridings, legal advocate and direct service provider at The House of Refuge, said economic factors play a major role in the high rate of domestic violence cases in the Southeast region.
“In more urban areas women have more access to jobs and housing options. I think that in rural communities there’s still a kind of acceptance of domestic violence,” Ridings said. “This culture of misogyny that women are exposed to in a rural community ... that isn’t as pervasive in an urban community.”
The recent video of NFL player Ray Rice hitting his then-fiance and dragging her unconscious body out of an elevator has raised a greater level of attention to domestic abuse.
“Celebrities seem to get more attention when they commit acts of violence,” executive director of Safe House for Women in Cape Girardeau, Allison Leonard, said. “It happens across all ages, races, religions and socio economic status.”
Rice’s wife has publicly supported him and she is being chastised by the media for her response. Leonard said that now is the most dangerous time for her.
“This is a natural response from a victim,” Leonard said. “It could be worse for her if she doesn’t try to speak out on his behalf.”
Leonard said that the most important thing for a victim to do is to evaluate and identify their level of safety. In some situations, leaving is not the best case because their chances of being killed or injured are higher.
According to Leonard, children who grow up in a violent household are at a greater risk of either being a victim in an abusive relationship or being the perpetrator. It’s important for anyone who is a victim of domestic abuse to get help. Shelters and hotlines are available 24/7 throughout the Southeast region.
“Having a friend to talk to is really important and having real support is incredibly important for people who are going through an abusive situation,” Ridings said. “Knowing that someone is there to listen to you and to take you seriously is incredibly important in stopping the cycle and empowering young women and young ladies.”
According to the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, 36,687 people received domestic violence services throughout Missouri. In the Southeast region alone, 1,157 individuals were sheltered in 2013, with 1,880 victims turned away because the shelters were full.