In October, we recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Friends and families of survivors often wonder why they were not told sooner about abuse. Sarah Shaffer, MBA, BSN, RN, HACP, SANE-A of the Aultman Serenity Program, helps shed light on why survivors might stay silent for so long.

Why Might Someone Not Disclose Abuse?

Survivors may not disclose domestic violence for many reasons, including:

• Fear of retaliation: Fear of escalation, retaliation, or losing custody of children, pets or family members.
• Practical and financial barriers: Financial dependence, housing insecurity or concern that communications, phones and locations are being digitally monitored.
• Internalized stigma: Shame, embarrassment, self-blame, the belief that the violence "is not bad enough" or that others will not believe them.
• Systemic hesitancy: Previous negative experiences with law enforcement, healthcare systems or legal institutions.

A survivor may also minimize what happened as a coping mechanism in an unsafe situation. Asking about domestic violence in a private, supportive and nonjudgmental manner may be the first step to helping them toward safety.

Technology and Safety

Technology can be a tool for connection, but it is frequently misused to monitor, threaten or control a survivor.

Ohio’s Senate Bill 100, which became effective March 20, 2025, generally prohibits knowingly installing a tracking device or tracking application on another person’s property without consent, with certain exceptions. Technology-facilitated abuse may include:

• Tracking location or monitoring phones, messages and social media accounts.
• Using shared accounts or smart-home devices/connected vehicles to monitor activity.
• Installing tracking applications without consent or making repeated unwanted contact.

What Can Be Done?

Domestic violence programs continue to face significant challenges in providing survivors with safe housing, advocacy, counseling, legal assistance, transportation, emergency resources and other supportive services.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence:

• Trust your concerns and take threats seriously.
• Talk with a trusted healthcare professional, advocate or support person.
• Develop a personalized safety plan.
• Consider keeping important documents, medications, money, keys and emergency contacts somewhere safe.
• If it is safe to do so, document incidents, threats, injuries or unwanted contact.
• Consider having injuries documented by a healthcare professional.
• Ask about available advocacy, shelter, legal and counseling resources.
• If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

A survivor does not have to decide today whether to leave a relationship, report the violence or pursue legal action in order to receive support. Domestic violence is never the survivor’s fault. Survivors deserve to be safe, believed and supported.

If You Need Help

Programs like Aultman Serenity provide round-the-clock specialized care to patients experiencing violence. This includes domestic violence, sexual assault, strangulation, human trafficking and other forms of interpersonal violence.

Specialized forensic nurses provide care and work collaboratively with healthcare providers, law enforcement, EMS, advocates and community partners. Aultman’s Serenity team also participates in continuing education and community outreach to increase awareness and improve the response to violence.

Resources

For immediate danger, call 911.

Ohio Domestic Violence Network (ODVN)
1-800-934-9840
ODVN can connect survivors with local domestic violence programs, including advocacy, shelter, counseling, legal assistance and other resources.

National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

Domestic Violence Project, Inc.
330-453-7233