A virtual seminar: domestic violence and firearms

The virtual event “Domestic Violence and Firearms: A Public Health Crisis” on Tuesday, Oct. 19, brought together MSU and the Gallatin Valley community to discuss the intersecting public health crises of domestic violence and firearms as well as other health and societal factors. These health crises were examined through different lenses in an attempt to find better ways to address these problems. This event was organized by Haven, the Voice Center and the Women’s Center and featured Julia Weber, who is both the implementation director for Giffords Law Center and an adjunct professor in domestic violence law at Golden Gate University School of Law. There were three major domestic health crises discussed during the presentation including domestic violence, firearms and COVID-19. Community experts also participated by discussing the current risks and options to reduce danger in domestic violence situations where firearms are present. 

The panel began with Betsy Danforth, the director of the Women’s Center at MSU, who explained that, as of 2016, the National Crime Information Center reported 5,712 cases of missing American Indian and Alaskan Native women and girls and over 55% of indigenous women had been victims of intimate partner violence. This statistic lead to the intersection of public health crises that must be considered when examining domestic violence.

 The presentation first delved into the fact that domestic violence, which is challenging to fully record and study, is estimated to affect more than 10 million people in the U.S. every year. Domestic violence is impacted by the community and circumstances that surround it. Since domestic violence is often a crime that occurs in private isolated places, the COVID-19 pandemic has made it increasingly challenging for people experiencing intimate partner violence to leave their homes and escape their abusers. The high number of civilian firearms that are owned in the U.S. makes domestic violence especially dangerous since they can make a situation deadly very quickly and allow violence to escalate. Because firearms are common and often easy to access, they can make the elevated emotions of domestic violence much more severe to both victims as well as the people trying to intervene.

The combination of these problems is prevalent in Gallatin County and is challenging to remedy in a singular way. Instead, each of these public health crises must be addressed together through their intersections and complexities. Together, Haven, the Voice Center and the Women’s Center seek to bring these issues into public knowledge and discussions to end domestic violence and help survivors.

If you or someone you know is in a domestic violence situation or have questions about domestic violence, reach out to the 24 hour Haven Support Line (406) 586-4111 or visit the organization’s website havenmt.org.