Halloween, domestic violence and safety. Are those terms mutually exclusive or is there a way for survivors to reduce their risk? After all, is there any child who wants to stay inside? From candy to personal safety there's a lot to consider.
When it comes to domestic violence kids seem to always wind up losing the most. If a parent has to leave the kids are often ripped away from their friends at school. Not only do they lose their playmates but school sometimes provides the only stability that child victims of abuse get to know.
When it comes to Halloween and domestic violence kids lose again. Sometimes it is not possible for a parent to safely take the children trick-or-treating. This is a judgment call that every survivor has to make.
On Friday, October 29, 2010 self-defense expert Anny Jacoby will be on Voices of Hope on Blog Talk Radio. She and I will discuss Halloween, domestic violence and safety. We’ll be talking about ways that survivors may be able to reduce the risk.
It’s very important that survivors of domestic violence realize that no show or expert can keep them 100% safe. Each survivor has to decide the risks and benefits of taking the children out on Halloween. Domestic violence is an ugly situation to be in. The safety of survivors must always come first.
Alternatives to trick-or-treating include public trunk-or-treat events. Stores, zoos, malls, churches and other places often host events where the kids can dress up and stock up on candy. Some police departments are even organizing Halloween events.
It may be safest for a survivor of domestic violence to take the children to those events instead of trick-or-treating or to just stay put for Halloween. Again, it is up to each survivor to decide what call to make.
Here are a few general Halloween safety tips from the CDC that survivors may want to read. Other tips can be found online from the Fire Department of New York.
Above all, when it comes to Halloween and domestic violence, stay safe.
