RECOGNIZING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE EVERY MONTH

Initially this blog came about because of my love of books, freebies and recipes; however, I'm just as passionate about the plight of abused women.

Domestic violence wears many hats and includes verbal abuse.  The old adage of "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" is NOT true.  Being called useless, a whore or stupid are just minute examples of this type of abuse.  In fact, a verbal abuser loves to tell us they are not abusive because we aren't being hit.  This is simply another form of emotional degradation.

Many can never imagine lying next to someone in fear of doing something that could cause a raised fist, being degraded or threatened by someone who professes to love us before even getting out of bed.  Love is NOT supposed to hurt us. 

Some of us can't imagine not being able to leave the house to earn a living, or having our children threatened with harm. If we are allowed to work, we may go to work with hidden bruises and mental anguish. 

October is the month many recognize domestic violence, but for a victim, she lives with it every day; hoping and praying for the money to get away, for the support of family, or a shoulder to lean on.  A victim may have difficulty leaving due to many reasons, including the loss of her self-esteem.  Yet she does want a better life. She wants to be a survivor, using her pain to help someone else in need.

Let's remove the stigma, so domestic violence doesn't continue to be a silent crime.  Let's stop pointing fingers and stating that someone deserves to be beaten.  No one deserves to be physically harmed. No one deserves to be treated as if they don't even exist. It doesn't matter if you're a man or a woman, rich or poor, black or white, homosexual or heterosexual.  Domestic Violence is a crime.

When it is safe to do so, seek help.  There are those who care.  I care and I believe that you matter.