Rice video raising awareness of truth about domestic violence, local leaders say

YOUNGSTOWN

The video of professional football player Ray Rice beating his then-fiancee into unconsciousness did not increase the calls for help from domestic-violence victims in the tri-county area, local experts said.

“We have received no more calls than usual. However, it has brought national attention to what normal women victims can go through,” said Malinda Gavins, program director for Sojourner House, a shelter for domestic-violence victims in Mahoning County.

Difficulty in escaping an abusive relationship is something domestic-violence victims have in common, said Beth Schmitt, program manager for Christina House, a domestic-victims shelter in Columbiana County.

When the abuse begins, the victims always think they can change what is happening to them because the abuser is not the person they fell in love with, Schmitt said.

“The abuser is very apologetic and claims it will never happen again. ... Things are good for a while [called the honeymoon period], and then the tension and abuse resumes, often escalated,” she said.

Read more about the problem in Wednesday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.