LETS TALK ABOUT A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE...

Domestic violence and emotional abuse are behaviors used by one person in a relationship to control the other. Partners may be married or not married;  living together, separated or dating.

Examples of abuse include:

name-calling or put downs
keeping a partner from contacting their family or friends
withholding money
stopping a partner from getting or keeping a job
actual or threatened physical harm
sexual assault
stalking
intimidation

Violence can be criminal and includes physical assault (hitting, pushing, shoving, etc.), sexual abuse (unwanted or forced sexual activity), and stalking. Although emotional, psychological and financial abuse are not criminal behaviors, they are forms of abuse and can lead to criminal violence.







The violence takes many forms and can happen all the time or once in a while. An important step to help yourself or someone you know in preventing or stopping violence is recognizing the warning signs.

ANYONE CAN BE A VICTIM! Victims can be of any age, sex, race, culture, religion, education, employment or marital status. Although both men and women can be abused, most victims are women. Children in homes where there is domestic violence are more likely to be abused and/or neglected. Most children in these homes know about the violence. Even if a child is not physically harmed, they may have emotional and behavior problems.



If you are being abused, REMEMBER

You are not alone
It is not your fault
Help is available

What is Abuse? - A Warning List

Many people who are being abused do not see themselves as victims. Also, abusers do not see themselves as being abusive. People often think of domestic violence as physical violence, such as hitting. However, domestic violence takes other forms, such as psychological, emotional, or sexual abuse.

Domestic violence is about one person in a relationship using a pattern of behaviors to control the other person. It can happen to people who are married or not married;  living together, separated, or dating.

If your partner repeatedly uses one or more of the following to control you;

pushing, hitting, slapping, choking, kicking, or biting
threatening you, your children, other family members or pets
threatening suicide to get you to do something
using or threatening to use a weapon against you
keeping or taking your paycheck
puts you down or makes you feel bad
forcing you to have sex or to do sexual acts you do not want or like
keeping you from seeing your friends, family or from going to work

YOU HAVE BEEN ABUSED!!

Remember threatened or actual physical violence may be illegal. Consider calling the police for help

This is a very important subject in my life.  One that is sadly quite popular amongst both men and women.  I found this article and found that I must share it.There are many , many women's issues in need of tons of awareness. Domestic violence and abuse happens to be one of a few I am very passionate about, and decided I help by using my blog, my time and my voice to help in bringing awareness to such a very important cause.  If you know of any one who may be in a domestic violence relationship, I ask please, please do not shut them out of your lives.  You, may figure there isn't much you feel you can do...but, there is... help in showing them a way out....lend them a few words of encouragement, not once, not twice, but as long as it takes.  Give, them a safe haven.  Go, with them to a place for abused women... love them!

Take care....