YOU ASKED: How prevalent is domestic violence in Indianola, MS?
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS THE 2ND LEADING CRIME IN THE CITY OF INDIANOLA
Domestic violence is not just a lover’s quarrel. It’s a crime and in the City of Indianola, Mississippi, it’s the second leading crime reported. Behind that statistic are shattered homes, worried family members, and neighbors who sometimes see warning signs but don’t know how or whether to speak up.
As a survivor and victims’ advocate, I can tell you this truth: domestic violence has no face. It wears the uniform, the suit, the scrubs, the badge. It sits in the pew beside you. It may even smile across the table. It could be anybody male or female, wealthy or working class, young or seasoned. Abuse does not discriminate.
It may shock some to learn that abusive people often hold respected roles in their communities. Studies have found that certain high-stress or high-control professions tend to have higher incidences of intimate partner violence, including law enforcement, military personnel, healthcare workers, educators, clergy, corporate professionals, and entrepreneurs.
These careers themselves do not cause abuse, but abusers often seek environments where control, image, or authority can be maintained. That’s why awareness must extend beyond stereotypes.
A Crisis Hidden in Plain Sight
The recent Indianola Police Department Crime Report reveals something both hopeful and heartbreaking: crime in the city is down 27%, even after the tragic mass shootings that shook our community in 2024. Yet within that encouraging decline lies a painful reality, domestic violence remains the second leading crime in Indianola.
That means while some crimes are trending downward, violence within our homes is still a dominant and persistent threat. Public safety can’t only be measured by the streets we patrol, but also by the homes we protect.
When something is labeled a public health crisis, it means it has grown so widespread, deadly, and costly that it threatens not only individuals but entire communities. Public health crises, like COVID-19 or the opioid epidemic, demand awareness, prevention, and policy change. In 2023, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services officially recognized domestic violence and intimate partner homicide as a public health crisis. , due to:
See Something. Say Something. Save Someone.
In Indianola, our neighbors are not strangers. They’re extensions of our family. That’s why community protection begins with community awareness.
Here’s what we can all do:
1. Listen and Believe. When someone confides abuse, resist the urge to question or judge. Believe first.
2. Speak Up. If you see bruises, fear, or controlling behavior, gently ask if they’re safe. Silence enables harm.
3. Know the Signs. Red flags include isolation, financial control, humiliation, threats, or forced dependence.
4. Share Resources. Connect victims to safe shelters, advocates, and hotlines. In Mississippi, Our House, Inc. and NoMoreDVorAbuse.org provide 24-hour support.
5. Be a Safe Place. Sometimes, all a survivor needs is one trusted person to believe they deserve better. Be that person.
Breaking the Cycle
We can’t afford to treat domestic violence like a whisper in the wind. It’s not a “family problem”; it’s a city-wide emergency. Every call to 911, every bruised face, every silent tear adds to a crisis that costs lives.
The face of domestic violence isn’t them; it’s us. It’s the face in the mirror, the hand that can help, the neighbor who cares enough to notice. Let’s choose to be a city that sees, speaks, and saves.
If you or someone you know is in danger, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or contact Our House, Inc. at 1-888-884-7233. Your call could save a life.
NEXT WEEK:
What resources are available for domestic violence victims in the Mississippi Delta?
