A woman from the Utah Domestic Violence Council did a presentation in my Marriage & Family Relations class today. She gave us some fantastic information, and I think the best thing we can do for each other as a community is to pass this information on.
Wherever you're from, there are domestic violence advocates' programs set up in your area to help you. Here's a national website you can use, if you aren't from Utah like me!
http://www.thehotline.org/ Or you can call: 1.800.799.SAFE
If you DO live in Utah, here's a local website where you can find help for yourself or someone you know who needs it:
Every 15 seconds in the U.S. a woman is battered. And no one even knows how many men are being abused, because so few of them are willing to talk about it.
No one deserves to be abused, and physical abuse is not the only kind that is classified as domestic violence. If you know anyone who is being hurt, it is a matter of mandatory reporting for you to let an authority know. Most of all, if he or she is confiding in you, LISTEN! Show them you believe them and you care, no matter how many times they seem to ignore your advice. It takes an average of 8 TIMES for a woman (or man) to leave an abusive relationship for good, so be patient. You never know when you are the only person someone can go to for help.
Just one last thought to add... if you haven't actually experienced abuse, but choose to claim that you have for purposes of attention, selfishness, getting back at someone, or some other reason, you are making the world of getting help harder every day for the women who actually need it.
