DID YOU KNOW THAT EVERY MINUTE IN THIS COUNTRY EIGHT WOMEN ARE PHYSICALLY OR SEXUALLY ASSAULTED? EVERY FIFTEEN SECONDS A WOMAN IS KILLED BY HER PARTNER! ARE YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE???

Everyone argues or fights with their partner or spouse now and then but do you ever change your behavior because you are afraid of the consequences of a fight? Domestic violence may include physical violence, coercion, threats, intimidation, isolation, and emotional, sexual or economic abuse. Frequently, perpetrators use children to manipulate victims: by harming or abducting the children and/or threatening to harm or abduct the children. There is help available. Please do not do as I did and sit back and take it. You deserve much better than that!! There are indications that show that in 50-70% of cases in which a parent abuses another parent, the children are also physically abused. Children also suffer emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and developmental impairments as a result of witnessing domestic violence in the home. In addition, some children (especially boys) who experience domestic violence in their homes grow up to repeat the same behavioral patterns. Hopefully, I found the courage soon enough to prevent that from happening with my son. Below you will find some questions that you can check through. Unfortunately, I was able to answer yes to quite a few of them. Happily now tho, I can answer each one with a DEFINITE NO!!!

REVIEW THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS TO DETERMINE IF YOU OR SOMEONE THAT YOU KNOW IS A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

FOR YOURSELF...

Does your partner intimidate you through looks or actions?
Does your partner display weapons or destroy your property?
Does your partner continually put you down, call you names, or humiliate you?
Are you made to feel guilty about the children, or has your partner threatened to take the children away?
Has your partner threatened to kill you or commit suicide if you leave?
Does your partner treat you like a servant, making all the decisions?
Does your partner shift the responsibility for his abusive behavior, blaming you for it?

FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS...
Does she appear anxious, depressed, or withdrawn? Is she reluctant to talk?
Does her partner criticize her in front of you, making remarks that make you uncomfortable when you are around the two of them?
Do you see or hear of repeated bruises, broken bones, or other injuries that are the results of "accidents"?
Have there been suicide attempts in this family?
Does her partner try to control her every move, make her account for her time, and accuse her of having affairs?
Is there drug or alcohol abuse in the family?
Is she often late to or absent from work? Has she quit a job altogether with no explanation?
Does she frequently leave social engagements because her partner is waiting for her?
Does she seem cautious or afraid around him? Does she seem to attempt to be the "perfect" partner to avoid making her partner angry?

IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW CAN ANSWER "YES" TO ANY OF THESE QUESTIONS PLEASE CALL THE NATIONAL DOMESTIC HELPLINE AT 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) OR 1-800-787-3224 (TTD).

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