Domestic Violence Info and Resources

If you or anyone you know needs help to get out of an abusive relationship, please call one of these numbers ASAP from a safe place.

The National Domestic Violence Abuse Hotline
1-800-799-SAFE(7233)
1-800-787-3224 (TTY)
website:National Domestic Violence Hotline Website

National Sexual Assault Hotline
1-800-656-HOPE(4673)

When most people hear about domestic violence, they think of a man beating or physically battering a woman.
However, it can also be emotional or psychological battering.
And it can also be done by women to men.

Abuse includes any situation where one person uses any form of negative control over another person.

Abusers often beat down their partners' self-esteem through derogatory comments about their looks or intelligence.

They may limit who their partners are allowed to talk to or go out with.

Abusers may force a partner to leave a job or school through use of threats.

These forms of verbal and emotional abuse are often not seen by outsiders and, even if they are, may not be considered abuse.

October is National Domestic violence Awareness Month!

The color purple has represented domestic violence awareness for over twenty years.

You can buy and wear a purple ribbon to show your support and help raise awareness of the issue in your community.

Support awareness of domestic violence as a REAL and SERIOUS issue.
I stayed in an abusive relationship for 3 long years and whenever I tried to talk about it, people made it into a small unimportant complaint.

Wear this shirt to remind others to do whatever they can to Stop the Violence!"

Sometimes women do not leave their abusers because they are afraid of what life in a shelter will be like. Although I can only speak from my own experience with one shelter, this is a basic idea of what it is like:

Shelters can either be dorms with several people to a room, sleeping on cots, or larger facilities where each resident has more privacy. I have read about shelters which provide private rooms, but at this time cannot list a specific location in this category.

Regardless of the sleeping arrangements, at least in a shelter you know no one is going to beat you or your children!

You will live with people from all age groups and all ethnic backgrounds. Look at this as an opportunity to educate yourself about the world.

Some shelters have mandatory classes and counseling programs while others provide these more on a volunteer attendance basis.

Almost every city has a shelter nearby!

There are so so many ways the average person can help domestic violence victims, even if they do not want to work in a shelter or speak up when they see it happening.

Here are just a few suggestions for you to contemplate:

Did you know you can donate old cell phones to be recycled as emergency 911 phones? Domestic violence shelters usually hand these out to their residents and support group clients. It is a free way for them to call 911 (the only number which this phone CAN call) if their abuser approaches them.

Consider donating your unused clothing and accessories to shelters. Some of the women and children here have next to nothing...no clothing, no money, no toys for their kids.

Consider donating nonperishable food items Shelters often operate on low budgets, and these donated foods can provide meals for residents in times of need.

Consider giving a cash gift to a local (or national, if you prefer) domestic violence organization.

Former domestic violence victims may want to consider asking if they can speak as a guest at support group meetings to help encourage victims who are just finding the strength to get out and get help. I have found this difficult because many shelters will not give you their locations for safety reasons. You may have to contact them by phone and ask to speak to a program director.

Speak up, be brave.If I witness a man mistreating a woman, I often ask the woman if she is all right. I let her know that she does not need to accept that kind of treatment. Always do this in a public place in as non-confrontational manner as possible to avoid provoking her abuser.
Sadly, many victims of domestic violence do not even know that they deserve to be treated with respect. Some of them have never known anything other than abuse! Your words may encourage them to look for alternatives.

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