Sunday, October 19, 2008

Living in the Midst of Domestic Violence (1)

Living in the midst of Domestic Violence is like always walking on egg shells. You learn trigger words but those trigger words seem to change all the time. You learn how to read moods but those seem to change just as quickly. There is not one set of rules. For every situation there is another set of rules. This sounds like a dog chasing its tail and believe me it can be. What worked yesterday will not necessarily work today and so on. Talk about quick thinking and when the answer is wrong, guess what? Eruption.

I’ve spent the better part of my life trying to get some kind of handle on this epidemic. Domestic Violence does not discriminate. If it has touched you in some shape or form you can probably relate to this subject and if you haven’t you don’t know how lucky you are. What many people do not realize is that once it happens to you, you are unlikely to ever forget it. Domestic Violence will leave its mark.

So, your boyfriend has pushed, slapped, or smacked you. Did he also tell you that it was your fault that he did it? Did he tell you how you pushed for a beating? Or maybe he apologized and said how he’d never do it again. All forms of Domestic Violence. It usually starts small. It begins with a push or a shove. Maybe some name calling, (Verbal Abuse) added to the mix. It begins gradually which is how many women get caught in its clutches. You can try to rationalize every move you make but you will never make any sense out of it.

What to do? Get out while you still can. For Immediate Assistance:
National Domestic Violence Hotline:
1-800-733-SAFE (7233) or
1-800-787-3224 (TTY)
National Center for Victims of Crime:
1-800-394-2255

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