Domestic violence month is here! We have dedicated the month of October to a real situation we are facing as a society; we are called to do our part and spread the word. Take the time to have an honest conversation about this subject. Spread the word among your loved ones, friends, acquaintances, and even people you share conversations with; let us be silent no more regarding this serious matter. Bring awareness and destroy the stigma that has plagued us because we would rather suffer in silence than indoor conversation.
According to the CDC, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will experience physical violence by their intimate partner at some point during their lifetimes. About 1 in 3 women and nearly 1 in 6 men experience some form of sexual violence during their lifetimes. Opening up to a discussion that could bring us healing should not be uncomfortable.
Ask people what they think about domestic violence; ask them how it makes them feel; and if they have ever experienced it in their own lives or in the lives of their friends. Educate yourself and those around you, and explain how common domestic violence is in families around the world. Know that we are here to do more than just talk and truly help the ones around you, so please keep PRM and all local emergency services information available to share.
- Bad and unpredictable temper
- Hurt, threatened, or kill their victims
- Threaten to take the children away or harm them
- Threatened to commit suicide if they leave
- For their partners to have sex; destroy their partner’s belongings
- Extremely jealous; limit their money, friends, and family
- Control their every move
- Abusers usually blame the victim for their negative behavior
One may also recognize when abuse is present; you notice a change in their personality. Victims are usually bruised and beaten in areas of their bodies that are not visible. Is this what makes it so difficult for people to recognize that a person has been abused? The actual physical scars are carefully hidden, but the emotional and psychological scars are usually visible.