It's summer time again

Yes, it is summer time again in stunning Carson Valley; we have waited for what seems like a very long time for it to get here. Now we can go camping, boating, floating, swimming, hiking, picnicking and drinking and have all kinds of adventures and have fun together as a family.

So, now that we are full blown into summer with the temperatures outside rising (for long periods of time), and with the frustrations building of having families "being" together, coupled with the drinking of alcoholic beverages and accompanied with the normal stresses of summer (money for all the fun things to do), so does domestic violence begin to increase.

Victims of domestic violence can be elders, children, men and women as well as the family pets.

Domestic violence knows no gender, religious or cultural, racial, or financial barriers; and it can and does encompass many people living within our Valley.

In most cases, domestic violence is a learned behavior. Do you wonder where it was learned? Most likely by watching a parent rule by means of power and control, manipulation, yelling, screaming, intimidating and by physical abuse in the home.

Most people think nothing can be done when domestic violence happens in a family, but that just is not true anymore. There are people that can help out there and all you need to do is reach out and ask for help.

Family Support Council offers parenting classes if the children are stressing you out. Anger management class applications can be obtained from our office. We have a women's support group that meets every Wednesday evening in our offices. We have a family resource specialist that will sit with you (by appointment), and assist you to help yourself. If we can't help you then we will find someone to help you.

The key is that we are here to help, but you have to want to help yourself enough to take that first step.

Call the Family Support Council at 782-8692 (24/7). Our office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

n Orita Keebaugh is the assistant coordinator in the Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault department of the Family Support Council.