Today is the beginning of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and we all know that it is a cause that needs attention throughout the year. Since its inception in 1987, the first national toll-free hotline was begun as a lifeline to 9,000 daily abuse victims. 1 in 3 women will be affected by domestic violence in their lifetime.
Many make the mistake of thinking that physical abuse is the only definition. My whole purpose in my book is also what is listed on The National Domestic Violence Hotline website. Heed the warning signs BEFORE it turns physical:
- Telling you that you can never do anything right
- Showing jealousy of your friends and time spent away
- Keeping you or discouraging you from seeing friends or family members
- Embarrassing or shaming you with put-downs
- Controlling every penny spent in the household
- Taking your money or refusing to give you money for expenses
- Looking at you or acting in ways that scare you
- Controlling who you see, where you go, or what you do
- Preventing you from making your own decisions
- Telling you that you are a bad parent or threatening to harm or take away your children
- Preventing you from working or attending school
- Destroying your property or threatening to hurt or kill your pets
- Intimidating you with guns, knives or other weapons
- Pressuring you to have sex when you don’t want to or do things sexually you’re not comfortable with
- Pressuring you to use drugs or alcohol
- Footnote: If you need someone to talk to, the number to call is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) 24 hours a day. You are not alone.
