Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence Awareness Month is October.  When I hear domestic violence my first thought is the bloody woman in the hospital who has been beaten by someone she trusted with her heart. That is a case of domestic violence at the end of a long cycle. What I know about domestic violence is that it comes in a great deal of forms and it is not just limited to woman.  Domestic Violence is the mental and physical abuse that starts out simply enough but ends ugly. 

We all know someone who has been abused or is being abused currently and in the past.  Domestic Violence (DV) doesn't always seem obvious.  Like I said earlier it starts out innocent enough and before you know it you are in the DV cycle. If you know of someone who is being abused be kind and loving. Don’t enable them, but empower them.

What happens to the brain of a victim of DV is incredible.  The neuro-linguistic pathways are changed and this changes a victim’s way of thinking.  They become victims before they even know it. They start making excuses for the behavior, they change their daily routines to not cause fights, the  victim will begin to isolate themselves because they don’t want to deal with the jealously of the abuser. They start doing things that are not in the best interest of themselves.

 We do not always recognize victims of  DV right away.  First, do not enable the victim. Become their friend and be supportive. Do not agree with what they are saying and trying to justify about the abuser.  Ask them what they would do if you were the victim.  Take your friend to an abuse counselor or shelter. They are free and they are professionally trained to deal with it. Do not be surprised if the victim is in denial, this is how they got in this situation in the first place.  Think of them as cancer victims. They no longer are able to make normal rational decisions because their brain has become damaged. Your friend is no longer able to do what is best for them.  You wouldn't abandon a sick friend,so do not abandon the domestic violence victim. 

Being a family member or friend of a victim is hard.  You don’t have to do this alone. Get help so you are not drug into this cycle.  Never confront the abuser because, one they will think you have a problem and two they will abuse the victim in private.  If you see physical abuse happen, then report it to authorities. Calling the police and say that you witnessed the abuse may save a life. Sometimes that will help. Do not be a bystander who does nothing.

Domestic Violence is a silent killer. Learn more about domestic abuse at: http://search.yahoo.com/r/_ylt=A0oG7lKIAGRSXGcA01FXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEzdGZ2cmQxBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDNgRjb2xvA2FjMgR2dGlkA1ZJUDI3MV8x/SIG=12ni03inp/EXP=1382314248/**http%3a//domestic-violence.laws.com/domestic-violence-awareness-month