National Coalition Against Domestic Violence

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Many of you may know that my family was exposed to domestic violence in a pretty public way a few years ago. Domestic violence prevention has a pretty special place in my heart. It is personal, for me, and for other members of my family.

The statistics about domestic violence in this country are staggering.

1 in 4 people (not just women) will be the victim of domestic violence in their lifetime. 1 in 4. ONE in FOUR. Think of that the next time you are in a room full of people. Next time you are sitting in the waiting room somewhere, or go to a class, or even are sitting in your office at work.

One in four people, men and women, will be a victim of domestic violence.

Another staggering statistic about domestic violence is that there are no parameters for who will be a victim. Domestic violence occurs at all economic levels, in all races, in all religions, in all genders, all sexual identity groups, and at all education levels. Domestic violence is not confined to low income, low education, socio-economic factors.

Another problem with domestic violence is that it often doesn't stay in the home. Friends, family and co-workers of domestic violence victims are often injured or killed by the abuser when they attempt to help the victim leave the relationship.

Signs of domestic violence include:

SIGNS THAT YOU’RE IN AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP
Your Inner Thoughts and Feelings	Your Partner’s Belittling Behavior
Do you: feel afraid of your partner much of the time? avoid certain topics out of fear of angering your partner? feel that you can’t do anything right for your partner? believe that you deserve to be hurt or mistreated? wonder if you’re the one who is crazy? feel emotionally numb or helpless?	Does your partner: humiliate or yell at you? criticize you and put you down? treat you so badly that you’re embarrassed for your friends or family to see? ignore or put down your opinions or accomplishments? blame you for their own abusive behavior? see you as property or a sex object, rather than as a person?
Your Partner’s Violent Behavior or Threats	Your Partner’s Controlling Behavior
Does your partner: have a bad and unpredictable temper? hurt you, or threaten to hurt or kill you? threaten to take your children away or harm them? threaten to commit suicide if you leave? force you to have sex? destroy your belongings?	Does your partner: act excessively jealous and possessive? control where you go or what you do? keep you from seeing your friends or family? limit your access to money, the phone, or the car? constantly check up on you?

(source)

There are several ways that you can help the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence raise awareness about DV and help victims of DV. Visit their website for statistics, information and ways to help and volunteer.

NCADV accepts used cell phones, cars, cash donations and has a store where you can purchase t-shirts, jewelry, key chains, buttons, bumper stickers, posters, bracelets and more. Of course, if you want to be more personally involved, they and other organizations in your own community, are always looking for volunteers.

Please consider making a donation, or at the very least, educating yourself about domestic violence, signs to look for and ways you can help if you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence.

I wish you all safety and peace in the new year.