Marriage can be fun, it can be tense, it can be mysterious, and it can be many things. It is whatever we make it. What it should not be is violent. Unfortunately, domestic violence is a national epidemic. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, twenty people are victims of intimate partner violence every minute. What can we do to decrease, although it would be better to eliminate, the alarming facts about spouse abuse? We can start by spreading awareness. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. It’s time to break the cycle by breaking the silence. Domestic violence is preventable. It encompasses offensive and intentional acts that need to be stopped in its tracks. Here are 8 things you can do to help fight this unconscionable occurrence.
- If you notice a cycle of power and control, don’t minimize it just because it may not be displayed as physical abuse.
- If you are a victim, seek help or get out immediately. Don’t wait for things to get worse.
- Notice your own controlling behaviors. Offenders do not always recognize controlling behaviors in the beginning. Recognize and admit your behaviors, and seek help. Change can’t occur until admitting there is a need for change.
- Believe a victim (no matter how you perceive them personally).
- Take action. Be proactive in your own safety and the safety of others, but do not put yourself in harm by helping a friend or family member. Call the police. Dial a hotline. Be available if in need. Don’t pretend abuse didn’t occur.
- Be aware of local resources and have a safety plan.
- Never believe you deserve any kind of abuse. Someone else’s actions are never your fault.
- Couples should constantly remember the concept of TEAMWORK. Recognize issues. Communicate lovingly. Work together to solve all marital problems. Be open and honest about inner turmoil, strife, and pressure. Seek help from outside sources if needed. By remembering you’re on the SAME TEAM, you may beat the opponents of daily stressors together. Make your marriage matter by doing whatever it takes to heal the inner self, so suppressed negative emotions will not take over, and always work together in support of one another.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
Resources: www.thehotline.org
Look at these alarming stats published by the Huffington Post:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/23/domestic-violence-statistics_n_5959776.html