“As your prosecutor here in Pulaski County, I wanted to take a moment to talk about the nature of domestic violence and give the residents of our community some helpful tips on how we can all  do our part to combat it.”

In Indiana, more than 42 percent of women and 27 percent of men experience intimate partner violence in their lifetime, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. This violence can be physical, verbal, sexual, or psychological abuse, including stalking, harassment, or intimidation.

“Sadly, things have only worsened over the past few years due partly to the COVID  pandemic,” Gaumer reports.

Too often, domestic violence goes unreported for a wide variety of reasons. As a result, many survivors feel trapped, have nowhere else to go, or think no one will believe them. Often, survivors’ reasons for staying in an abusive relationship can be all the more complicated, especially when there are children or other family members to consider. 

But there are ways to help. First, make sure to check in on friends, family, neighbors, and  acquaintances and understand the signs of potential abuse. Some are easier to identify than others, such as bruises, black eyes, or unexplained injuries. Other symptoms of physically or emotionally abusive and controlling relationships can be more challenging to spot. These may include: abrupt personality changes, loss of self-esteem, constantly checking in with their partner for approval, frequently changing plans and not visiting family or friends, and more.

Don't be silent if you think  someone you know may be suffering from abuse. Talk to the person you are worried about and share your concerns. Listen to them and tell them that you care and are available to help and direct them to available resources. If necessary, don’t be afraid to alert the authorities.  

Recently, Indiana passed a bill to help domestic violence survivors who might be testifying against their abuser. It adds a possible charge of Obstruction of Justice against anyone who tells a witness to lie or not show up to a court proceeding. Many survivors are bullied into not cooperating by their abuser or the abuser’s family members. This new law should help address that behavior and further protect survivors. 

“I want you to know that our office takes these kinds of cases very seriously and will do our best to ensure Pulaski County is not a place where domestic abusers can get away with these crimes,” Gaumer said. “However, it is up to all of us to do our part to try and stamp out domestic violence in our community.”

If you need assistance or additional resources, the National Domestic Violence  Hotline is open 24/7 and can be reached at 800-799-7233.