METAMORPHOSIS

Domestic Violence Affects the Developing Brain

Dr. Akhu — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 09:11:48 +0000

A recent study indicates that children exposed to domestic violence and other dangerous environments demonstrate differences in brain development. The children’s brains are not damaged, but develop patterns that help them to adapt to a dangerous environment. This adaptation that may help them in childhood may make them more vulnerable to anxiety and other mental health issues as adults.

Giving Domestic Violence Pain a Purpose

Dr. Akhu — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 09:08:01 +0000

“Books helped me in my darkest days. I want to empower others the same way,” says Sonia Qazi

On Sept. 23, 2011, Sonia’s mother, Najma Bibi, and her sister, Sidra Mehtab, 18, who remained in their native Pakistan, were brutally murdered — allegedly by assassins hired by Bibi’s husband. Instead of allowing her grief to take over, Sonia decided to do something positive with her pain. Together with her best friend, Sehar Parvez, and her roommate, Suzan Tang, Sonia formed Freedom Through Books in December 2011. Freedom Through Books is non-profit organization whose purpose is to donate books to shelters supporting the needs of domestic violence survivors and homeless families.

Additional information about Freedom Through Books and how to donate new or gently used books may be found by visiting www.facebook.com/freedomthroughbooks

Read the full story

here

Bill Passed to Help Domestic Violence Victims Keep Their Jobs

Dr. Akhu — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:20:00 +0000

A bill was recently passed in the Senate that requires companies with more than 50 employees to allow up to 15 days of leave for any employee who is a victim of domestic violence or lives with a family member who is a victim of domestic violence.

Employees can use the leave to obtain any DV-related services, including medical attention, counseling, housing, or to obtain orders of protection and other legal assistance.

Employers can require employees to provide documentations, such as restraining orders, police reports, or medical notes to certify that the employee or employee’s family member is a victim of domestic violence. The bill requires the employer to keep all information about the employee’s leave confidential. Employees must exhaust all available leave, such as vacation and sick time, before seeking leave established under this bill; however, an employer may waive this requirement.

GPS Tracking Devices Now Used to Prevent DV in NYC

Dr. Akhu — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:00:15 +0000

Serial domestic abusers will no longer be able to easily get close to their former victims. Once convicted, they will now be required to wear a tracing bracelet upon release. The GPS tracking device will send a text alert to the former victim if the abuser gets within 1,000 feet. Currently, this program is only available in Staten Island, NY, but hopefully will be adapted nationwide.

What a wonderful idea!

Sir Patrick Stewart’s personal experience with DV

Dr. Akhu — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 13:52:10 +0000

I loved Star Trek (all of them except maybe Deep Space Nine) because of the psychology and social psychology themes. John Luc Picard, played by Sir Patrick Stewart, is one of my favorite captains of Enterprise. I always enjoyed his acting, but gained a new level of respect for him after hearing him talk about his childhood experience with domestic violence during a recent BBC World News interview. He speaks eloquently about the shame of living with “a silent crime,” and feeling helpless to protect his mother from victimization. Patrick Steward provides a glimpse of how challenging it is for children growing up with violence in the home. Because of his personal experience with domestic violence he is now is now a patron of the charity Refuge which helps victims.

Watch the video clip here

Orthopedic surgeon helps in fight against DV

Dr. Akhu — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 18:38:46 +0000

Dr. Bhandart is encouraging the orthopedic community to look beyond the fracture to the person and treat the entire person by being concerned about how she got the fracture. He admits that medical doctors often focus on the physical body that is injured neglecting to event think about the circumstances. Read more on his efforts to get the medical community to address Domestic Violence here.

Wife arrested in lesbian DV homicide

Dr. Akhu — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 17:10:11 +0000

Domestic Violence does not discriminate. The recent murder of Annamarie Rintala is an example of the devastating effects of domestic violence in the lesbian community. Her wife, Cara Rintala is being held without bail accused of her murder. The couple was together for nearly 10 years, and both worked as paramedics for local fire departments. Prosecutors describe the relationship as one marred by mutual physical and emotional abuse. Each had taken restraining orders out against the other and an investigation by the Department of Social Services found that their daughter had been neglected. Read more

Nasty People

Dr. Akhu — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 13:22:38 +0000

Nasty People: How to Stop Being Hurt by Them Without Becoming One of Them

by Jay Carter, Psy.D. (2003) McGraw-Hill

This book will provide you with guidance and support in dealing with all the nasty people in your life. Regain your power without ending important relationships or quitting your job. A good reference for anyone, including those who are not recovering from domestic violence relationships.

This book also come in gender spacific versions.

Nasty Men or Nasty Women

Inside the Minds of Angry and Controlling Men

Dr. Akhu — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 17:22:25 +0000

Why does he do that? Inside the Minds of Angry and Controlling Men

By Lundy Bancroft (2002) Reed Business Information, Inc.

Lundy Bancroft is an expert in the field of domestic violence and has written many informativebooks on the topic. His expertise comes from being the former co-director of Emerge, the first program in the United Sates for abusive men. This book explains abusive thinking, the techniques abusive men use to manipulate their families and the legal system. In addition, this book provides more information about early warning signs, abusive personalities, and the process of attempting to help abusive men change. This is a great book to read to gain understanding and to help sort through issues, if you are trying to decide if you want to stay in a relationship. It is also very helpful if you have to remain in contact with your abuser because you have children to raise together after you have left. Find out more and get your copy here.

7 things you can do about domestic violence

Dr. Akhu — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 17:26:30 +0000

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 to http://whatwedid4love.com and support the National Domestic Violence Hotline by purchasing these pieces.

5. Learn about how domestic violence impacts your workplace by visiting http://www.caepv.org/.

4. Remember the National Domestic Violence Hotline Number: 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or http://www.thehotline.org/. You can call to help others or yourself.

3. Donate your old cell phone, batteries, or chargers (any brand) at any Verizon Wireless store or use free mailing label http://aboutus.vzw.com/communityservice/Shipping.html.

2. Learn to talk to your kids about healthy relationships by downloading tip booklets from http://www.loveisnotabuse.com/.

1. Don’t ask “Why would that victim go back?” ask “Why would a person hit or abuse someone they love?”