Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Around the world, at least one in every three women has been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused during her lifetime. Most often, the abuser is a member of her own family.

However, did you know that 8 out every 10 women experience some type of assault at the hands of her husband or lover? Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women—more than car accidents, muggings, and rapes combined.

Studies suggest that up to 10 million children witness some form of domestic violence annually. Further, nearly 1 in 5 teenage girls who have been in a relationship said a boyfriend threatened violence or self-harm if presented with a breakup.

Intimate partner violence is rarely an isolated incident. Several indicators may point toward abuse. You maybe a victim if you are experiencing any of the following warning signs listed below:

Jealousy and possessiveness
•Isolates you from your friends and family
•Rifles through your belongings
•Wants you to drop all your friends, especially of the same sex as your partner’s
•Expects you to spend all your time with him/her
Controlling behavior

•Calls or texts you constantly to know where you are and what you’re doing
•Shows up at your work or school to check up on you
•Checks mileage on your car
•Bosses you around
•Gives you orders
•Makes all the decisions
•Disregards your suggestions and wishes
•Discounts your feelings
•Makes you feel trapped or crazy
•Blames you for all his/her problems and makes you feel his/her behavior is your fault
•Withholds approval
•Puts you down and calls you names
Hypersensitivity and explosive behavior

•Bursts out in anger unpredictably
•Makes you feel like you’re walking on eggshells
•Makes your friends and family concerned for you and your safety
Threatening and using violence

•Grabs, pushes, shoves, slaps, shakes, kicks, punches and chokes you
•Pressures you for sex
•Breaks or destroys objects, especially those you value

During the month of October, I will present to you a short story entitled: "Still looking at the Blind side of Love" in support of Domestic Violence. Please tell your friends, family and love one to review the blog and provide their comments in support of domestic violence awarness month.

The warning signs were provided by the Domestic Violence Resource Center and is located on their website @ www.dvrc-or.org.