All to often women find themselves in an abusive, violent relationship. As in the picture above, they can be left devastated by their partners who have abused them sexually or inflicted violent acts of mental abuse and/or battering. It can be very confusing when their partner apologizes and promises not to do it again. Believe me when I tell you, if he has abused you once he will do it again and again. The only way to Stop Domestic Violence is to get out and stay out.
I offer the following web pages to help you get out and stay out. I'll start with discussing domestic violence in general terms and move on to why domestic violence happens and conclude with help and guidelines. Please use the links included on this site to get the help you need. I would appreciate it if you would be kind enough to sign my Guest Book and let me know what you thought about my site.
Domestic violence or abuse of family members can take many forms. Emotional abuse, economic abuse, sexual abuse, threats, using children, using male privilege, intimidation and isolation are all forms of battering. There are a variety of other behaviors that can be used to maintain fear, intimidation and power. The abuser is most often the men in the families in all cultures. Women are most often the victims of violence. Abuse of the elderly and children are also prevalent in all cultures. While men are most often the abuser, men can also be victims of abuse by the women in their lives ie: mother, sister(s), grandmother, aunt(s) or wife. Men can, and should read, evaluate and apply any of the information included on my site.
Abusers use a pattern of behavior to establish power and control over another person through fear and intimidation that may include using threats or violence. The abuser believes that they are entitled to control someone else. However, assault, battering and domestic violence are all CRIMES. Acts of domestic violence generally fall into one or more of the following areas:
- PHYSICAL BATTERING: Physical attacks or aggressive behavior can fall anywhere between bruising to murder. It may begin with what is excused as a trivial contact and escalate into more frequent and serious attacks.
- SEXUAL ABUSE: The abuser's physical attack is often accompanied by or ends with sexual violence where a woman is forced to have sexual intercourse with the abuser or take part in a sexual activity that she does not want to be part of.
- PSYCHOLOGICAL BATTERING: An abuser's psychological or mental violence may include constant verbal abuse, harassment, excessive possessiveness and isolation of the woman from her family and friends. She may have physical and economic resources withheld and her personal property may be destroyed.
Domestic violence and abuse escalates with time. It may begin with threats, name-calling or violence in her presence and may include damage to objects or abuse of pets. It often then moves into restraining, pushing, slapping and/or pinching. The next stage may include punching, kicking, biting, tripping, throwing things and sexual assault. And finally it may become life threatening with serious acts of choking, breaking of bones and use of weapons.
If you are a victim of domestic violence, abuse or battering remember, you are not alone. Help is available and there are people who will listen to you and understand your situation. No one deserves to be abused. You and your children have a right to safety. Within this site you will find links you can click on to get the help you need. You will also find links to more of my pages on domestic violence, abuse and battering. Please click on my links to read more on subjects such as: Who the victims are, Why men abuse women, Why women stay in violent relationships, Barriers women face, Predicting domestic violence and Planning to get out and stay out.
If you are wondering why I chose this subject to write about, it is because I was a victim of domestic violence, abuse and battering. Please note that the operative word in the previous sentence is "WAS". It was not easy for me to get away from my situation and probably won't be easy for you either. The important thing is that you find the strength and help you need to get out and stay out. Do it now before it's too late because you could end up dead.
