Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence (602)279-2900 or 800-782-6400 Australia Domestic Violence Advocacy Service 1-800-810-784 Canada-National Action Committee on the Status of Women 416-932-1718 Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence 850-425-2749 or 800-500-1119 Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence 317-543-3908 or 800-332-7385 Oregon Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence 503-365-9644 Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence 717-545-6400 or 800-932-4632 Tennessee Task Force Against Family Violence 615-386-9406 or 800-356-6767 Texas Council on Family Violence 512-794-1133 or 800-787-3224
					Hello ladies! For those of you who don’t know me, I am Laura Mann. Colleen and I used to be cousins…..I was married to her husband’s cousin. I am a domestic violence investigator and victim advocate. I am also a survivor of domestic abuse. My ex husband only physically struck me with his fist one time. But he mentally abused me and controlled me everyday of my life. Often times women don’t understand that they do not have to be bruised and bloodied to be abused. From the outside, we had the perfect family….High school sweethearts that married, two great kids, a great house, nice vehicles. But inside our house was like war. My children walked on eggshells because they never knew what kind of mood dad was gonna be in, they rarely laughed and played inside so they wouldn’t "bother" him, and they never had friends over for fear dad would be drunk and embarrass them. My ex husband told me what I would/wouldn’t wear, how I would/wouldn’t wear my hair, I wasn’t allowed to wear make-up or jewelry and there better be a cold 12 pack of beer in the refrigerator at all times. One in four women will experience some type of domestic abuse in their lifetime. The number is astounding! And even though so many women experience it, there is still so much social stigma attached to it. As sorry as I am to say, I am sure that some of you are experiencing domestic violence right now. I want you all to know I am here to listen, give advice, or just know I have "been there, done that" and nothing you say will shock or offend me. Feel free to vent off me. I have compiled a list of Domestic Violence agencies in the states of the listed members of this site. If there is a state you need, email me and I will send it to you. (lemann98@yahoo.com) Please be good to yourself if you are in a situation that feels wrong. Believe me, you aren’t helping your children by staying. Children are 1500 times more likely to be abused if their mom is being abused.