October: Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Photo courtesy of Kelpman on Flickr

October is Domestic Violence Awareness month.  It is a time to give support to those who have survived abuse and mourn the loss of those who did not.  It is a time to recognize the individuals who offer hope and support and to become advocates ourselves.   Sometimes help is the only option.  Sometimes you just can’t do it on your own.

Domestic Violence used to be thought of as the physical abuse that one spouse inflicts on the other.  Today we know that violence occurs in many forms.  Abuse can be psychological, emotional, financial, physical or a combination of any these.   It is one person exerting their control over the  other or preventing them from maturing or succeeding as an individual.  It is one spouse keeping the other spouse down.

Psychological abuse involves lies and mind games.  The victim might be told that he/she is crazy or imagining things.   The abuse could be emotional.  There might be lying and manipulation of the victim’s feelings.  Financial abuse involves one spouse denying the other access to money or financial independence.  All of these are silent crimes which happen behind closed doors; the physical ones are a bit more obvious.  The home is no place for this type of oppression.

There are many resources in place to aid the victims and provide them with  alternatives.  Often times the victims have been excluded from society with little communication with family or friends.  They have no access to money and feel dependent on the abuser for support.  The situation might seem hopeless but there is help.  There are services in place to end the cycle of abuse and transition into a new life.

Information about Domestic Violence Awareness month can be found at Domestic Violence Awareness Project and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.   You can also check the computer for listings of resources available in your area.

If you know of an individual who is the victim of domestic violence let them know that they are not alone.   Let them know that when they are ready to leave that you will be there every step of the way.   Just because domestic abuse happens behind closed doors does not mean that it has to stay there.