Escaping Abuse

Introduction

Domestic Violence is a crime. It is a criminal act of assault and battery, harassment, sexual assault, sexual battery, disorderly misconduct, reckless endangerment, and murder. It is when the abuser abuses a family member. It is when the abuser abuses a household member who is or was residing in the same single dwelling unit.

Many people who are being abused do not see themselves as victims. A lot of people tend to believe that physical violence is the only criminal act in domestic violence. In fact, psychological, emotional, and verbal abuse, are acts of domestic violence.

Epidemic

About 1 in 3 American women have been physically or sexually assaulted by a husband or boyfriend at some point in their lives. (Commonwealth Fund, Health Concerns Across a Woman's Lifespan: The Commonwealth Fund 1998 Survey of Women's Health, 1999)

"In 1992 and 1993 almost 5 million violent crimes were committed annually against women age 12 and older." Stop Domestic Violence: An Action Plan For Saving Lives. Lou Brown, Francois Dubau, and Merrit McKeon, J.D.

Learned Behavior

More than half the children who witness their fathers beating their mothers become batterers or victims, too. Boys are more likely to become batterers. Girls frequently date or marry abusers and nearly 80% of girls who have been physically abused by guys they date continue to see them.

Types of Abuse

Physical Abuse: hitting, kicking, punching, slapping, pushing.
Emotional/Verbal abuse: put downs, intimidation, manipulation, insults.
Sexual Abuse: forcing someone to have sex.
Financial Abuse: keeping money from someone and keeping a person from working.

Stop The Cycle

It is time to stop the cycle of domestic violence. How could we as a society stop such an epidemic? We start by helping one victim at a time. We stop by helping ourselves. We start admitting that the abuse is wrong and that there is no excuse for such a horrible, unspeakable behavior.

Suggested Reading: Stop Domestic Violence: An Action Plan For Saving Lives. By Lou Brown (Nicole Brown Simpson's Father), Francois Dubau, and Merrit McKeon, J.D.

To be Anchor In The Storm: A Guide for Families and Friends of Abused Women. By Susan Brewster, M.S.S.W.

Reach Out

There are a number of organizations set up to help those in need. The internet provides an endless amount of websites for domestic violence. Libraries have an enormous amount of books on domestic violence for everyone to read. Most states have battered shelters for women and children. If your town or state doesn't have one, vote for one. Find out how you could make it happen. Find out how you could help those who are being abused and find out how you could receive the proper help in the area you live in.

Are you being abused? Are you unsure of whether or not you are being abused? If you are ready to make a difference, start over, leave a bad situation, and gain positive feedback, this course is for you!

Do you know someone who is in an abusive relationship? Are you afraid to confront the person who is being abused? If so, then this course is for you!

What Students Are Saying...
The information provided clarified some things for me. I would look at a sentence and realize, "oh, that's what I did wrong." or more encouraging, what I did right!

Lessons

Click here to see course syllabus