October 31st, 2011 October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. People have been asking me “What can I do about domestic violence? Is there something I can do to help?”
Here is a short list of ideas.
7. Find out more about domestic violence. Go to http://www.clicktoempower.org/ and see the stories of survivors and what made the difference for them.
6. Go [...]
October 29th, 2011 One of the things I do as a consultant and specialist in domestic violence is help employers address DV in the workplace. One study showed 74 percent of victims reported that an abusive partner showed up at the victim’s workplace and caused a scene. Does your office have policies to not only help employees who are struggling [...]
October 28th, 2011 Abusers and victims often misunderstand jealousy as a sign of love. Jealously is a feeling that arises when you suspect your partner in a relationship is being unfaithful or when you feel like your rights to something you own are being challenged. Healthy relationships are built on trust. Until you have given a partner a [...]
October 26th, 2011 Reading the story of another survivor’s “long road from surviving to thriving” can help survivors at the begging of such a road find strength and faith. Reading the same story can help those who have never been victims understand that the hardest part is often not leaving but all that comes after one has left. [...]
October 22nd, 2011 Dozens of women in bridal gowns and men wearing black walked a seven-mile route through Washington Heights, Harlem, East Harlem and sections of the Bronx to raise awareness of domestic violence, on the anniversary of the death of a local woman who was murdered by an ex-boyfriend.
The annual event, organized by New York Latinas Against Domestic [...]
October 21st, 2011 Healthy relationships proceed at a pace that allows both partners to get to know each other and gradually grow in affection. Abusers often court in a world wind fashion moving things along quickly to living together, engagement or marriage within six months or less. Abusers often pressure victims by stating intense feelings and making the [...]
October 15th, 2011 In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness month Mary Kay® is premiering a series of documentaries to put a national spotlight on the cause. Women nationwide, alongside female celebrities, Maria Menounos (”Extra”), JoAnna Garcia Swisher (”Better with You”), Alexa Vega (”Spy Kids”) joined forces through the Mary Kay Inspiring Stories program to unite their voices to [...]
October 14th, 2011 A common personality trait of abusers is the inability to take responsibility for their problems and ownership for their feelings. Whatever challenges they have in life are the fault of others. At the same time they may attribute others with the power to control their emotions, to make them feel “angry.” This personality trait is [...]
October 12th, 2011 The film SIN BY SILENCE, which will be airing on Investigation Discovery (ID) on October 17th.
SIN BY SILENCE follows the stories of several women who have been sentenced to extremely lengthy jail terms for killing their abusive partners, often in self-defense, yet are punished sometimes longer than rapists.
Spread the word about the film, so that [...]
October 8th, 2011 Unrealistic expectations and/ or rigid gender roles–
An abuser will expect his partner to meet his ideal of the perfect wife, mother, lover and friend. He may expect his partner to meet all of his needs. It is unrealistic in a relationship to expect anyone to fit your ideal or meet all your needs. In healthy [...]