Event
Please join us on Thursday, June 19, from 6:30 – 8:00 pm at First Presbyterian Church Santa Fe for a screening of a powerful documentary on domestic violence and how it affects every community in society.
RSVPs are requested
To RSVP, call (505) 230-4305 or email development@esperanzashelter.org
The town hall format will provide a robust discussion. Our panelists will provide insight into the challenges before us.
About Lt. Mark Wynn: “Mark is woven into the fabric of the battered women’s movement”, said Lynn Rosenthal, our country’s first White House adviser on violence against women. He is a national trainer to police executives, patrol officers, training officers, prosecutors, judges, legislators, social service providers, healthcare professionals and victim advocates in all fifty states for over thirty years. An international lecturer at police academies in Australia, Canada, Germany, England, Northern Ireland, Russia, the Republic of Mauritius, the Republic of Georgia, the Federated States of Micronesia, Aruba, China, the Islands of the Bahamas, Brazil, Turkey, Cyprus, Singapore, the Republic of Namibia, the Republic of Ghana and the Republic of Moldova. He is a Fulbright Specialist for the Department of State and is a survivor, enabling him to teach both effectively and passionately. In short, he is devoted to ending domestic/sexual, elder and child abuse as a police officer, detective, educator, program supervisor and now consultant and advisor. In past 20 years he has traveled 2,478,313 miles to all 50 states and 16 other countries while visiting 1,250 cities, towns and villages.
In conjunction with the event, Esperanza Shelter will be unveiling their new Men Against Domestic Violence Initiative, in which founders from across the state will be working together to raise awareness to end domestic violence. In attendance will be Colin Estrem, a founder of Gentle’men Against Domestic Violence in Naples, Florida.
Documentary Trailer
Talking Points
Domestic Violence is the most committed crime in America and the least reported crime in America.
The Cycle of Intergenerational Violence
Violence often perpetuates across generations. Children who witness or experience violence—whether at home or in their community—are more likely to become victims or perpetrators themselves. This cycle is maintained by:
- Learned behavior (violence as a problem-solving method).
- Trauma and untreated mental health issues.
- Lack of access to stable housing, education, and support systems.
Domestic Violence and Homelessness
Domestic violence is one of the leading causes of homelessness, particularly for women and children.
- Survivors often flee with little or no resources.
- Abusers may sabotage housing stability by damaging property or sabotaging rent payments.
- Emergency shelters are often overcrowded, forcing survivors into unsafe or unstable living situations.
Sexual Assault, Rape, and Homelessness
Homeless individuals, especially women and LGBTQ+ people, face exponentially higher risks of sexual violence.
- Survivors of sexual violence may become homeless due to trauma, estrangement from family, or job loss.
- Homeless individuals are often revictimized due to lack of safe shelter.
- Trauma from sexual assault can lead to substance use, mental illness, and other vulnerabilities.
Gun Violence and Domestic Abuse
There is a strong correlation between gun access and domestic violence fatalities.
- The presence of a gun in a domestic violence situation increases the risk of homicide by 500%.
- Firearms are the most common weapon used in intimate partner homicides.
- Gun violence in homes spills into communities, increasing overall risk.
Strangulation: A Red Flag for Lethality
Strangulation is one of the most lethal forms of abuse and a predictor of future homicide.
- Survivors of nonfatal strangulation are 7x more likely to be killed later by the same abuser.
- It’s often underreported and under-prosecuted, despite its serious implications.
Violence Against and Involving Police
Strangulation is one of the most lethal forms of abuse and a predictor of future homicide.
- Domestic violence calls are among the most dangerous for responding officers. (40% of all cop deaths are attributed to domestic violence calls).
- Some abusers target police, resulting in fatalities.
- Conversely, police-involved violence also plays into cycles of trauma in marginalized communities, especially where trust in law enforcement is low.
The Role of Trauma and Mental Health
All of these intersecting forms of violence create deep psychological trauma, which can manifest as:
- PTSD, depression, anxiety, substance use.
- Trouble maintaining housing, employment, or stable relationships.
- Aggression or self-harm, perpetuating the cycle of violence.
The Intersection in Practice
A single survivor might experience:
- Childhood abuse → homelessness → intimate partner violence → sexual assault → strangulation → homelessness again → loss of children → encounter with law enforcement → ongoing trauma.
This cycle is not a coincidence, but the result of:
- Systemic failures (e.g., insufficient housing, mental health care, legal protections).
- Socioeconomic disparities.
- Racial and gender-based inequalities.
Breaking the Cycle
To address these intersections, multi-sector collaboration is essential:
- Safe housing options that include trauma-informed care.
- Domestic violence and sexual assault services that are accessible and culturally competent.
- Gun control measures tailored to intimate partner violence prevention.
- Training for law enforcement on trauma, strangulation, and victim safety.
- Prevention and education programs in schools and communities.
- Long-term mental health care and substance use recovery supports.