DOMESTIC VIOLENCE is a pattern of abuse in which one partner in an intimate relationship attempts to assume control over the other. Domestic violence can occur in both opposite-sex and same-sex relationships.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE is a pattern of abuse in which one partner in an intimate relationship attempts to assume control over the other. Domestic violence can occur in both opposite-sex and same-sex relationships. This can happen in marriages, couples living together, or just dating. There are many forms of domestic violence including the most common; physical and verbal abuse. Equally, look out for financial and sexual abuse. One in three women and one in four men experience domestic violence in their lifetime.
Now that we have defined domestic violence. Let’s take a closer look at some signs of abuse and what we can all start doing to get this crisis under control. Bringing Awareness to Domestic Violence in America, Europe, Africa, etc. is old news, but putting forth necessary actions to end Domestic Violence is what is lacking. I don’t need another I’m sorry, let’s talk about it.
Let the Conversation Begin...
Let’s talk about the injustice that you see and know is happening globally including in America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and globally, and not much attention is given to this crisis. The advent of the COVID 19 pandemic made the bad situation worst. It is time to expose and confront this social menace that is destroying the lives of many both female and male who find themselves as victims of abusive relationships. We’ve got news for both victims and perpetrators in abusive relationships. Now that I have your attention let’s have a Conversation. Have you ever wondered how we got here, in the victim seat? Let me just speak to the ladies for a moment. You are not to blame for the abuse you find yourself receiving despite what you have been told or what you believe in yourself, You are a strong, loving trusting, beautiful women who deserve to be loved like the queen you are. Own It!!
Here are some of the signs that you are with an abusive person:
- Feels he/she has the right to dictate your behavior.
- Demonstrates ownership of you or extreme possessiveness; Say’s things like “I can’t live without you”
- Isolates you – doesn’t allow you to see your family or friends
- Needs to constantly know your whereabouts; expects you to spend all of your free time with him/her
- Humiliates you in public
- Forces you to have sex or perform sexual acts
- Insists on controlling all of the money, both yours and his/hers
- Refuses to let you go to work or, at the other extreme, forces you to work
- Has no regard for your physical or mental health
- Criticizes your appearance, weight, clothes, etc.
- Pressures you to live together or get married before you are ready
- Anger easily
- Becomes angry when you have a different opinion from his/hers and does or don’t take his/ her advice
- Shows jealousy toward your children, family, friends, or job
- Suggests reasons for you to fear ending the relationship.
- Dual personality (Jekyll and Hyde), i.e., Charming in public, aggressive in private
- Displays violent behavior toward other people
- Disregards the law; feels he/she is above the law
- Doesn’t want you to know about his/her past
- Blames all past relationship problems on the ex-partner
- Has a record or history of domestic violence
My Story
As a victim of abuse myself, I have dedicated my life to self-producing plays through my non-profit foundation (Sparkle House) that brings awareness to domestic violence through the arts.
Sparkle House Foundation
My story is just one of many who have shared their story of shame and asked the question how do I fix my life after the abuse. We will always carry some of the scars of our past, it’s what we do with our testimony to help others heal from their scars that matters most. We all have a responsibility to get our sparkle back. Sparkle House Foundation will do just that by providing a full range of programs for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, to reduce the impact of these menaces and bring awareness of domestic violence in our community through education, advocacy, intervention, guidance, and counseling, etc. To accomplish our mission in America, Europe, and Africa. Sparkle House Foundation is working in partnership with Western Africa Magazine (WAM) UK. Our vision is embarking on several programs and conferences in the United States, Europe, and Africa, aimed at creating awareness and empowering women and men to live their best lives. One of the programs for women will include individualized make-overs that will help build self-esteem and prepare the victims to face the world with confidence. We will also partner with other organizations to provide a range of essential services including shelters and job placement services. We will also discuss how domestic violence affects the family. We will touch base on what the kids growing up in this environment are facing in the home and how it affects them in adulthood.
What you can do to assist a victim are?
There are many stories of abuse. But no real solution to gaining real results due to the lack of proper reporting of incidents because of stigmatization and shame or fear. Over the next few months, we will share in detail how to go from victim to becoming a person that is bruised but not broken. Facts show that every 9 seconds a woman/man is abused around us. Let’s take a closer look at how to recognize a victim of abuse: when you observe someone who: – Seem to be under emotional distress, depressed, feeling self-doubt or shame Seem isolated, unusually quiet, or anxious around family or friends
- Have unexplained bruises and /or injuries
- Act differently or strangely in social situations, at work, or at school
- Wear unseasonable clothing, like long sleeves in the summer
- Give explanations that don’t add up
- Are often tardy or miss work or school, or frequently cancel plans Receive disruptive and excessive phone calls, texts, emails, or frequent visits from a partner Act fearful around their partner
- Have a partner who belittles and insults them in front of other people
How You can Support
What you can do to assist a victim are?
- Listen and be Supportive
- Focus on His/Her Strengths
- Make a plan to find support
- Take Action to protect and defend
- Connect them to resources
- Call out a family/friends member who is being abusive
- Listen without judging
- Support their decision
- Reach out to the National hotline
Reach out to Sparkle House tashamariebiltmore@yahoo.com
Comments
adamgordon
Wow, cool post, thanks for sharing.
miaqueen
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