Empower Tehama – Helping Stop the Cycle of Domestic Violence

In its first four weeks, “Maid,” a 2021 TV series telling the true story of a woman fleeing domestic violence with her young daughter, was Netflix’s top watched miniseries of all time. I asked Michaele Brown, Empower Tehama’s Clinical Director, her take on the popular show. “I was surprised at the lack of services available to the young mother,” she says. “That scenario would look much different in Tehama County.” Empower Tehama, formerly known as Alternatives to Violence, offers more resources to our community members living with domestic violence than what is generally offered through the rest of the state. This is vital because, per 1,000 calls, Tehama County has an 83% higher domestic violence rate than other California counties.

Domestic violence can affect anyone

I was fortunate to speak with both Michaele Brown and Jennifer Moniz, Outreach Manager of Empower Tehama. Although we would love to highlight the many incredible individuals who have made Empower Tehama what it is today, we agreed that those individuals would rather use this space to reach people who might be in need of help.

Jennifer Moniz says, “It could be your neighbor suffering in silence or it could be the woman who volunteers in your child’s classroom each week. Domestic violence can affect any stratum of society. Many who come forward may have struggled in the past to find someone to believe them.”

Working with families to stop the cycle of violence

Empower Tehama advocates would agree with Jacquelyn Campbell in the book No Visible Bruises by Rachel Louis Snyder: “This is about the long view of prevention.” These advocates work with whole families to stop the cycle of violence and to teach them that there is a better way to live. In her book, Snyder repeats what she read on a poster, “How do you stop a thirty-year-old from beating his wife? Talk to him when he is twelve.”

Education is one of the biggest tools Empower Tehama is using to help many attain a violence-free life.

Finding a place of safety and freedom

Why was “Maid” so popular? Maybe viewers long to see hope fulfilled — hope for the safe home life that everyone deserves. The most beautiful scene of the miniseries “Maid” could be the one showing domestic violence survivors reminiscing about a favorite memory from their pasts. The women were finally in a safe place where their memories, individuality, feelings and dreams were valued. Tehama County is fortunate to have many professional and caring advocates at Empower Tehama who are willing to walk alongside anyone struggling to break free from domestic violence and to find that place of safety and freedom.

What is Domestic Violence?

Domestic Violence Includes:

• Physical Abuse
• Sexual and Reproductive Abuse
• Emotional and Psychological Abuse
• Financial/Economic Abuse
• Spiritual Abuse
• Legal Abuse
• Technological/Cyber Abuse

These abuses are used to establish power and exert control by one intimate partner over the other. (California Partnership to End Domestic Violence)

Specific abusive behaviors, including verbal abuse:

• Telling you that you never do anything right.
• Showing extreme jealousy of your friends or time spent away from the abuser.
• Preventing or discouraging you from spending time with friends, family members, or peers.
• Insulting, demeaning, or shaming you, especially in front of other people.
• Preventing you from making your own decisions, including about working or attending school.
• Controlling finances in the household without discussion, including taking your money or refusing to provide money for necessary expenses.
• Pressuring you to have sex or perform sexual acts you’re not comfortable with.
• Pressuring you to use drugs or alcohol.
• Intimidating you through threatening looks or actions.
• Insulting your parenting or threatening to harm or take away your children or pets.
• Intimidating you with weapons like guns, knives, bats, or mace.
• Destroying your belongings or your home.

Strangulation is often lethal

• In 2021, 113 local individuals said they had been strangled one or more times by their partner. Victims of strangulation have a much greater risk of attempted homicide and completed homicide.
• It takes just 11 pounds of pressure to compress the carotid artery in strangulation. In comparison, It takes 20 pounds of pressure to open a soda can.

Seek help if your partner has ever placed their hands around your neck or if you experienced signs of strangulation such as being choked to unconsciousness, waking up in a different location and having lost control of your bladder or bowels.

Why Individuals Being Abused May Stay/Refuse

• Help
• Fear
• Love
• Denial/Guilt
• Children
• No support
• Family pressure
• Caretaker role
• Retaliation
• Low self-esteem
• No place to go
• No car

Services offered by Empower Tehama

• 24-Hour Crisis Hotline
• Crisis Counseling
• Legal Advocacy & Assistance
• Emergency Shelter
• On-site Transitional Housing
• Support Groups

First stops for help —

For individuals experiencing domestic violence —Visit the Empower Tehama business center, 1805 Walnut St, Red Bluff (9am – 4pm, Mon-Fri), to discuss options with an advocate. (530) 528-0226 or (800) 324-6473.

For individuals exhibiting abusive behavior — Sign up for an assessment and the Perspectives classes at the Empower Tehama Prevention Center, 151 Sale Ln., Red Bluff (9am-4 pm Mon-Fri).
(530) 727-9423.

For children and teens who have experienced or are experiencing abuse or neglect — Empower Tehama’s new Child Advocacy Center, 206 Hickory St, Red Bluff, offers professional therapy services. (530) 727-1277.

24-Hour Crisis Hotline 530-528-0226