Today many are wearing purple for Domestic Violence Awareness day. Among many other worthy causes October is also Domestic Violence Awareness month. In the United States an average of three women a day are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends. In Iowa alone one-third of homicides annually are committed by a family member or intimate partner. But domestic violence does not always look like, or end in violence. There are verbal, emotional and even financial forms of domestic abuse. Chances are someone you know is either currently involved in an abusive relationship, or is a survivor. Support from friends and family is key to helping a person escape from an abusive situation. Since it does not always look like the images we see on TV, here are some red flags that may mean domestic violence is happening to you or someone you know.
• To withhold approval, appreciation or affection as punishment;
• To continually criticize you, call you names, shout at you;
• To ignore your feelings;
• To be very jealous, harassing you about imagined affairs;
• To manipulate you with lies and contradictions;
• To humiliate or make fun of you in private or public;
• To insult or isolate you from your friends or family;
• To take car keys or money away from you;
• To lock you out of the house;
• To undermine you in front of your children;
• To criticize your parenting and tell your children you are a bad parent.
Physical abuse does not start out as physically violent. Looking for signs of abuse long before the hitting and intimidation occur is the first step towards preventing domestic violence in our community. Individuals can seek therapy and counseling for themselves and their partners whether they are the victim or the abuser.
If you think someone you care about may be involved in abuse there is help. For more information you can go to the resources linked below.
In Eastern Iowa women can call Waypoint Services 24 hour Crisis & Support Line
319.363.2093 or 800.208.0388
Sources:
Comments
Submit a CommentPlease refresh the page to leave Comment.
Still seeing this message? Press Ctrl + F5 to do a "Hard Refresh".