Column: The Tahoe region is not immune to the impacts of violence and abuse

You may not be aware that someone you know has been a victim, but statistically speaking, it is almost guaranteed. Violence and abuse take many forms, including domestic violence, sexual violence, stalking and cyberstalking, and child abuse.

● One in 4 women in the U.S. will experience some form of relationship violence in their lifetime.
● Every 73 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted.

● One in 10 people is stalked.
● Nearly 700,000 children are abused in the U.S each year; however, this data may be inaccurate as many child abuse cases go unreported.

The Tahoe region is not immune to the impacts of violence and abuse. Visitors come to Tahoe to experience all that the area offers, and we do our best to deliver. But that can be hard when violence and abuse impact the workplace and our healthcare system.

Whether it's missed work or decreased productivity due to absence, fear and anxiety, increased health care costs, or difficulty retaining staff; the impact is real.

According to the Center for Disease Control, the costs of domestic violence exceeds $5.8 billion annually. $4.1 billion is spent on medical expenses annually. $728.8 million is the cost of lost workplace productivity.

When medical care is needed following an assault, the average number of healthcare visits resulting from the assault is 21.1 physical therapy visits, 5.7 nights in a hospital, 4.4 dental visits, 3.2 physician visits, 1.9 emergency room visits, and 1.1 paramedic visits.

For adults who experience violence and abuse as a child, the costs associated with healthcare spending, criminal behavior, and loss of labor market productivity in the entire U.S. are $55 billion each year.

Victims of stalking often accrue costs for attorney fees, damage to property, childcare, moving expenses, and loss of wages. The annual cost of stalking in the U.S. is estimated to be $605 million, accounting for medical and mental healthcare and the value of lost productivity.

Live Violence Free supports our community members daily whose victimization affects their employment, physical health, and mental well-being, which impacts the stability of our local economy and resources.

That is why violence is a community issue. It does not just affect a few people; its ramifications affect us all. Live Violence Free is committed to providing support and resources to those experiencing violence. We work diligently to provide education and prevention training to promote a violence-free community.

January is an awareness month for stalking, human trafficking, and positive parenting. We are committed to educating everyone on these awareness campaigns. To learn more about these issues and know the signs to look for in someone experiencing domestic violence, sexual abuse, stalking, and child abuse, visit https://liveviolencefree.org/oneconversation/. I invite everyone in the community to get involved and support our mission by volunteering, donating, and educating yourselves and others. Together we can empower choices and inspire change.

Chelcee Thomas
Executive Director
Live Violence Free