Every day can bring fear into the lives of women all over the world, and it doesn’t matter how much money you have, where you live, what you do for a living, or who your friends are. If you are a victim of domestic violence, then you are being treated in a way that is not and should not be tolerated in today’s society.
Domestic violence is an extremely serious matter and should be treated as such. Domestic violence can be verbal abuse, physical abuse, mental abuse, or sexual assault. Many times domestic abuse cases result in permanent physical injury or death.
Most victims of domestic violence do not talk about the problems they are experiencing at home, nor do they try to remedy the situation until it is too late.
Domestic abuse comes in many different forms, including yelling threats, shoving, financial abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, the use of threats against your children, isolation, and any other means used to maintain a safe atmosphere. of fear, intimidation and power. Regardless of where you live, the person most likely to be responsible for domestic violence is the man in the family.
Domestic violence generally falls into one or more of the following categories, all of which are illegal and considered criminal acts.
o Psychological aggression, when the abuser uses mental and verbal abuse, harassment, excessive possessiveness, isolation, regulating that amount of food, money, clothing and, sometimes, destroying personal objects.
o Physical assault, which can consist of physical attacks and aggressive acts that can range from pushing and shoving, bodily injury to murder.
o Sexual abuse is a type of physical attack that is accompanied by or ends in sexual violence against the victim.
Consider that each year about 4 million American women will be victims of assault by an intimate partner or friend. Statistics also show that 1 in 3 adult women will experience at least one physical assault in her lifetime. Knowing this information and being prepared to defend yourself and your children from an abusive partner may be the only thing that saves your life and the lives of your loved ones.
If you are a victim of domestic violence, there are some very important things to understand.
o The abuse is not your fault.
o You and your children do not deserve to be abused.
o Continuing in a relationship that is abusive will not stop the abuse.
o If your partner is abusive, you can’t change it.
o Over time, the abuse will get worse.
o YOU CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE ABUSE- FIGHT DON’T BE A VICTIM!
Many women don’t want to admit that the relationship they’re in or the men they think they’re in love with are abusive. Some women may not even realize that the relationship they are in would be considered an “abusive relationship.” Here are some things you might want to ask yourself about your partner or intimate relationship.
o Do you often agree with your partner because you are afraid of your partner’s reaction if you disagree?
o Does your partner’s temperament scare you?
o Are your decisions about activities and friends made based on what your partner wants or how your partner will react?
o Have there been situations where you had to apologize for your partner’s actions or behavior?
Has your partner ever pushed, hit, kicked, or reacted aggressively toward you when you were angry?
o Do you agree or consent to your partner to avoid getting angry?
o Do you use alcohol or drugs, or join your partner in using alcohol or drugs so that he or she doesn’t get upset or angry?
No woman deserves to be a victim of domestic violence and there are some signs to look for in a man that can give you a clue that he may become abusive once in a relationship.
o Want to know where you are at all times?
o Is he extremely jealous?
o Does he get upset if you spend time with your family or friends?
or threatens you with violence.
o Using others or yourself as an excuse for their problems.
o Try to isolate him from his family and friends.
If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship and wants to get out, call 911 for immediate help. For additional resources and help call the following:
1. National Domestic Violence/Child Abuse/Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-799-SAFE or 800-799-7233, 800-787-3224 TDD
2. Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-829-1122
3.RAINN Nationwide Rape Crisis Hotline: 800-656-4673
