Drug Addiction-Domestic Violence Connection Strong
Jerry Vagnier, president and CEO of the Helen Ross McNabb Center, talks about opiates and its relationship to domestic violence.
These days, the link between abuse and addiction is still there, but the primary substance has changed. Rausch said police now find opioid use tied to more domestic violence calls — as it is to theft, other types of violence and “just about every call” to police.
“Opioid addiction has taken over in terms in everything that we do,” Rausch said. “This is an addiction issue unlike anything we have seen in our community.”
Opioid-violence link
On Wednesday evening, Rausch sat on a panel on “Opioid Abuse and Its Relationship with Domestic Violence,” sponsored by the Junior League of Knoxville and moderated by WATE-TV anchor Kristin Farley. About 40 people attended the forum at the East Tennessee History Center with Rausch and other panelists including Dr. Martha Buchanan, director of the Knox County Health Department; Karen Pershing, executive director of Metro Drug Coalition; and Jerry Vagnier, president and CEO of Helen Ross McNabb Center.
“We’re seeing that because of this disease, because of this addiction issue, opioids are causing irrational behavior and violence,” Rausch said. “A person who has become dependent on these drugs … to function is looking for any way they can get them.” Those who “get in the way” are endangered, he said.
Trauma and drugs
People who are addicted also are vulnerable to exploitation and abuse by others, said Vagnier, who added McNabb recently expanded its 24-hour abuse crisis shelter so children can stay with parents.
“We always think about physical abuse, but there’s a lot of unequal power in (abusive) relationships,” he said. “It’s psychological in nature … you’re made to feel less than your partner. Over time, your power, your privilege, your opportunities get less and less.”
But even those who begin using drugs on their own may have a link to domestic violence, he said; more than half of the women McNabb Center treats for addiction issues have a history of some kind of trauma. Studies suggest victims of violence are more susceptible to substance abuse, in part as a coping mechanism.
And children who witness domestic violence, abuse or mental illness and substance abuse growing up — even if they’re not direct victims of the abuser — carry a higher risk of substance abuse and other risky behaviors later in their own lives, along with mental health issues and chronic illnesses such as heart disease, according to a broad government-sanctioned study on adverse childhood experiences.
“That sets their course of being vulnerable,” Vagnier said. “It doesn’t mean they’re going to be a victim of domestic violence; it doesn’t mean they’re going to be addicted. … But they have to overcome that” added vulnerability.
Signs of abuse
Buchanan and Pershing pointed out that abuse victims and addicts can share some of the same signs: isolating themselves, a noticeable change in hygiene, erratic behaviors and defensiveness. All the panelists said it’s important to not be afraid to broach the subject, and not drop it.
“We need to pursue the people we love, and we need to stay the course,” said Vagnier, who advised thinking of the drug as a person: “They begin to rationalize their own behavior to keep their relationship with this drug.”
As for getting help with addiction, that can be challenging, especially for the uninsured, but “there is hope,” he said. “People become very creative when someone calls and says, ‘I need help.’ We may not have exactly what they need right then, but we can give them a place to start.”
Get help
McNabb 24-hour domestic violence crisis hot line: 865-637-8000
Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Helpline: 800-560-5767
Related:
After the OD: County looks at hiring post-naloxone case manager
Agencies: More than 200 Knox naloxone calls in January
National Take Back Day offers several places for drug disposal
Tennessee’s plans to battle opioid abuse: nurses in recovery, naloxone kits
Program aims to meet addicts’ health needs long term
Small-town struggles: Addiction, lack of resources plague health providers at TN-KY border
Women in courts other than criminal can fall through cracks
Knox County opioid addicts with criminal charges to get injections to curb drug cravings
In August 2016, the Indy Star, published a scathing look into USA Gymnastics’ history of sexual abuse and coverups, revealing that dozens of young athletes had experienced abuse at the hands of trusted doctors and coaches. The effect of the story among athletes in similar positions was powerful. More and more, adult survivors of child sexual abuse are coming forward—and they’re seeking justice.
According to the New York Times, “more than 80 gymnasts have come forward with sexual abuse allegations against Larry Nassar, a former national gymnastics team doctor who worked in all levels of the sport, including with Olympians, from 1995 to 2015.” As more research of the neurobiology of trauma comes to light, there is increased understanding about the effects of experiencing trauma, such as sexual abuse. Trauma at a young age can be particularly harmful when the systems in place to protect children fail to provide safety—or when those systems are the cause of the trauma itself.
“We know that for many survivors of child sexual abuse, it can take years to come forward,” explained Scott Berkowitz, president of RAINN. “Many children don’t have a firm understanding of physical boundaries, the ‘good touch, bad touch,’ lessons,” he continued. “They may lack the language skills to ask for help—or lack the source of help at all. But every day, we’re seeing more kids come forward. They have great courage —and they’re asking for justice.”
RAINN has publicly issued support for the survivors coming forward about their experiences, and condemned the gag order issued during the Nassar case. “For many survivors, speaking about their experience, whether it’s to a friend, family member, or before a court, is an important part of the healing process,” said Brian Pinero, RAINN’s vice president of victim services. USA Gymnastics is not alone in facing concerns of unchecked abuse. Similar allegations have been made across other sporting bodies, including USA Swimming and USA Taekwondo, leading key lawmakers to step up and pass legislation that would curb these abuses. RAINN worked with Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and a bipartisan team of lawmakers who introduced a bill this March that hopes to change the way sporting organizations prevent and respond to incidents of sexual violence.
While it is often the coaches and doctors coming under scrutiny in these cases, it’s important to remember the positive role that coaches, healthcare providers, and other adults can play in keeping children safe. “Bystander intervention isn’t just about looking out for a friend at a party,” said Berkowitz. “It’s about learning the signs of abuse and knowing where to turn when something doesn’t seem right.”
Learn more about responding to and preventing sexual abuse:
We’re here when you need us.
93¢ of every $1 goes to helping survivors and preventing sexual violence.
Apr 21, 2017
In August 2016, the Indy Star, published a scathing look into USA Gymnastics’ history of sexual abuse and coverups, revealing that dozens of young athletes had experienced abuse at the hands of trusted doctors and coaches. The effect of the story among athletes in similar positions was powerful. More and more, adult survivors of child sexual abuse are coming forward—and they’re seeking justice.
According to the New York Times, “more than 80 gymnasts have come forward with sexual abuse allegations against Larry Nassar, a former national gymnastics team doctor who worked in all levels of the sport, including with Olympians, from 1995 to 2015.” As more research of the neurobiology of trauma comes to light, there is increased understanding about the effects of experiencing trauma, such as sexual abuse. Trauma at a young age can be particularly harmful when the systems in place to protect children fail to provide safety—or when those systems are the cause of the trauma itself.
“We know that for many survivors of child sexual abuse, it can take years to come forward,” explained Scott Berkowitz, president of RAINN. “Many children don’t have a firm understanding of physical boundaries, the ‘good touch, bad touch,’ lessons,” he continued. “They may lack the language skills to ask for help—or lack the source of help at all. But every day, we’re seeing more kids come forward. They have great courage —and they’re asking for justice.”
RAINN has publicly issued support for the survivors coming forward about their experiences, and condemned the gag order issued during the Nassar case. “For many survivors, speaking about their experience, whether it’s to a friend, family member, or before a court, is an important part of the healing process,” said Brian Pinero, RAINN’s vice president of victim services. USA Gymnastics is not alone in facing concerns of unchecked abuse. Similar allegations have been made across other sporting bodies, including USA Swimming and USA Taekwondo, leading key lawmakers to step up and pass legislation that would curb these abuses. RAINN worked with Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and a bipartisan team of lawmakers who introduced a bill this March that hopes to change the way sporting organizations prevent and respond to incidents of sexual violence.
While it is often the coaches and doctors coming under scrutiny in these cases, it’s important to remember the positive role that coaches, healthcare providers, and other adults can play in keeping children safe. “Bystander intervention isn’t just about looking out for a friend at a party,” said Berkowitz. “It’s about learning the signs of abuse and knowing where to turn when something doesn’t seem right.”
Learn more about responding to and preventing sexual abuse:
We’re here when you need us.
93¢ of every $1 goes to helping survivors and preventing sexual violence.
In August 2016, the Indy Star, published a scathing look into USA Gymnastics’ history of sexual abuse and coverups, revealing that dozens of young athletes had experienced abuse at the hands of trusted doctors and coaches. The effect of the story among athletes in similar positions was powerful. More and more, adult survivors of child sexual abuse are coming forward—and they’re seeking justice.
According to the New York Times, “more than 80 gymnasts have come forward with sexual abuse allegations against Larry Nassar, a former national gymnastics team doctor who worked in all levels of the sport, including with Olympians, from 1995 to 2015.” As more research of the neurobiology of trauma comes to light, there is increased understanding about the effects of experiencing trauma, such as sexual abuse. Trauma at a young age can be particularly harmful when the systems in place to protect children fail to provide safety—or when those systems are the cause of the trauma itself.
“We know that for many survivors of child sexual abuse, it can take years to come forward,” explained Scott Berkowitz, president of RAINN. “Many children don’t have a firm understanding of physical boundaries, the ‘good touch, bad touch,’ lessons,” he continued. “They may lack the language skills to ask for help—or lack the source of help at all. But every day, we’re seeing more kids come forward. They have great courage —and they’re asking for justice.”
RAINN has publicly issued support for the survivors coming forward about their experiences, and condemned the gag order issued during the Nassar case. “For many survivors, speaking about their experience, whether it’s to a friend, family member, or before a court, is an important part of the healing process,” said Brian Pinero, RAINN’s vice president of victim services. USA Gymnastics is not alone in facing concerns of unchecked abuse. Similar allegations have been made across other sporting bodies, including USA Swimming and USA Taekwondo, leading key lawmakers to step up and pass legislation that would curb these abuses. RAINN worked with Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and a bipartisan team of lawmakers who introduced a bill this March that hopes to change the way sporting organizations prevent and respond to incidents of sexual violence.
While it is often the coaches and doctors coming under scrutiny in these cases, it’s important to remember the positive role that coaches, healthcare providers, and other adults can play in keeping children safe. “Bystander intervention isn’t just about looking out for a friend at a party,” said Berkowitz. “It’s about learning the signs of abuse and knowing where to turn when something doesn’t seem right.”
Learn more about responding to and preventing sexual abuse:
We’re here when you need us.
93¢ of every $1 goes to helping survivors and preventing sexual violence.
In August 2016, the Indy Star, published a scathing look into USA Gymnastics’ history of sexual abuse and coverups, revealing that dozens of young athletes had experienced abuse at the hands of trusted doctors and coaches. The effect of the story among athletes in similar positions was powerful. More and more, adult survivors of child sexual abuse are coming forward—and they’re seeking justice.
According to the New York Times, “more than 80 gymnasts have come forward with sexual abuse allegations against Larry Nassar, a former national gymnastics team doctor who worked in all levels of the sport, including with Olympians, from 1995 to 2015.” As more research of the neurobiology of trauma comes to light, there is increased understanding about the effects of experiencing trauma, such as sexual abuse. Trauma at a young age can be particularly harmful when the systems in place to protect children fail to provide safety—or when those systems are the cause of the trauma itself.
“We know that for many survivors of child sexual abuse, it can take years to come forward,” explained Scott Berkowitz, president of RAINN. “Many children don’t have a firm understanding of physical boundaries, the ‘good touch, bad touch,’ lessons,” he continued. “They may lack the language skills to ask for help—or lack the source of help at all. But every day, we’re seeing more kids come forward. They have great courage —and they’re asking for justice.”
RAINN has publicly issued support for the survivors coming forward about their experiences, and condemned the gag order issued during the Nassar case. “For many survivors, speaking about their experience, whether it’s to a friend, family member, or before a court, is an important part of the healing process,” said Brian Pinero, RAINN’s vice president of victim services. USA Gymnastics is not alone in facing concerns of unchecked abuse. Similar allegations have been made across other sporting bodies, including USA Swimming and USA Taekwondo, leading key lawmakers to step up and pass legislation that would curb these abuses. RAINN worked with Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and a bipartisan team of lawmakers who introduced a bill this March that hopes to change the way sporting organizations prevent and respond to incidents of sexual violence.
While it is often the coaches and doctors coming under scrutiny in these cases, it’s important to remember the positive role that coaches, healthcare providers, and other adults can play in keeping children safe. “Bystander intervention isn’t just about looking out for a friend at a party,” said Berkowitz. “It’s about learning the signs of abuse and knowing where to turn when something doesn’t seem right.”
Learn more about responding to and preventing sexual abuse:
We’re here when you need us.
93¢ of every $1 goes to helping survivors and preventing sexual violence.