In 2016, Services to Aid Families (SAF) in Oswego County served 550 consumers, 85 percent being victims of domestic violence. In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of reported domestic violence cases, in contrast to when the program first opened in the 1980s.
“We’re the main domestic violence assistance program here in Oswego County,” SAF Advocate Jake West said. “We have advocates throughout the county and CPS collaboration when there is domestic violence in the home.”
SAF offers a confidential domestic violence shelter in an undisclosed location in Oswego County where a family or an individual can stay for up to 90 days while they work toward their goals. The shelter has 18 beds and seven rooms to house families of domestic abuse survivors.
The average length someone stays at a domestic violence shelter in New York is 35 nights, according to the New York State Office of Children and Family Services.
“We’ve had instances where we’ve come into contact with victims and survivors who have even been trafficked overseas,” SAF advocate Kelsey Gillett said. “Really there is no limit to what kind of clients we serve.”
The occupancy rate of domestic violence shelters in Oswego County has decreased since 2011. In 2011, the percentage of beds filled was 36.96 percent and in 2015 the rate fell to 30.75 percent, according to the Office of Children and Family Services. In 2011, the rate was 83 percent and increased to 85 percent in 2015 for all of New York State.
“Sometimes there is a misconception that more reports means more violence is happening, but I don’t think that’s the case at all,” Gillett said. “These are the really underreported crimes for numerous reasons.”
Awareness is a factor in the number of domestic violence cases opened. Gillett’s position as an advocate for SAF was created by the Enough is Enough program from the New York State Department of Health. Her position was added to spread awareness to students around campus. Also, Gillett can be an advocate for domestic abuse survivors in Oswego County.
“When you create more awareness and you create more resources for people to disclose and act as help,” Gillett said. “Then you get higher numbers of reports and that is what is happening here.”
Domestic violence is often not reported, so the numbers of cases do not accurately represent as to how often it happens. Awareness has increased over the years by programs such as SAF and more people are becoming informed of the warning signs of abuse in all relationships.
“That number doesn’t even come close to the amount that is happening because it is underreported,” West said.
The numbers of dating violence cases at Oswego State increased from zero in 2013, to one in 2014 and to five in 2015, according to the 2015 annual security and fire safety report given by University Police.
“I think people underestimate the importance of verbal and mental abuse in domestic violence situations,” said Sarah Stamberg, a sophomore. “Violence is not just physical. It’s getting into your head and making you feel small or weak or stupid.”
