October is Domestic Violence Awareness & Prevention Month. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence,
“On average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. During one year, this equates to more than 10 million women and men.1“
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
This is a staggering number of people who are living with the terror of intimate partner violence. Since intimate partner violence is so common, you probably know someone who is being abused. #Every1KnowsSome1
You may even be one of those 20 people/minute experiencing violence. As a domestic violence survivor, I want you to know that healing is POSSIBLE.
This statistic doesn’t include all the other ways abusers control their partners through emotional, financial, and/or spiritual abuse. It also doesn’t include the way some abusers mistreat children or pets in the home to “punish” the victim.
Even though domestic violence mostly happens in private, family and friends contribute to the problem when they keep silent when they see abuse happening. So if you know someone who is being abused, show them your support and care. Speak up when you see violence. Call the police. We all have the power to stop this epidemic of violence.
Also, if you have the resources, please donate to your local domestic violence shelter or organization.
Healing is Possible
Healing from domestic abuse cannot happen until you or your loved one have left the abuser and are safe. In the U.S., start with a visit to this hotline page where you can chat, call, or text with someone who can give you information for your area: https://www.thehotline.org/ (Make sure you do so from a phone or computer your abuser doesn’t have access to.)
If you live outside of the U.S. check this resource of hotline numbers: International Domestic Violence Resource Guide (2023)
Check out my domestic abuse story for more resources about how to leave your abuser: https://www.upbeatliving.net/domestic-violence-awareness/
Virtual Domestic Violence Conference
To learn more and jumpstart the healing process, check out the following virtual domestic violence conference.
This month, April Tribe Giauque, is hosting the 4th annual Unite in Light DV Virtual Conference. Speakers are scheduled on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the month. Check it out here: VIRTUAL CONFERENCE Unite in Light 2023 FACEBOOK And YOUTUBE
Here’s one of the speakers from this conference talking about healing. I wish I had these tips when I left my abuser. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZfXZ7IR_R4
Healing Domestic Abuse Resources
Educating yourself about domestic abuse will help you recognize it and stay alive: https://www.upbeatliving.net/domestic-violence-terror-at-home/
For Christians experiencing domestic violence, Called to Peace Ministries is a great resource for healing help. One of their recent Facebook posts gives the most concise and accurate definition of abuse I’ve ever read:
“Domestic abuse is a pattern of calculated behaviors intended to achieve and maintain power and control over an intimate partner. These behaviors, rooted in entitlement, leave little room for awareness of or concern for the pain they cause their partner and children.”
Called to Peace Ministries
Called to Peace Ministries has support groups for survivors, a yearly retreat in the spring, plus resources for churches and counselors. I attended one of their retreats two years ago. It was so validating to finally be with women who understood my experience without questioning it.
Wrap-up of Healing Domestic Abuse
Domestic violence and abuse is soul-crushing and can be deadly. But we can do something about it. When a woman leaves her abusive partner and heals from his abuse she rises above her abuser. When we speak up we fight against the darkness of abuse. When we donate time or money to local women’s shelters we give hope to women and children who have none. Let’s do our part to make the world a safer place.
Till next time, Kathy
Subscribe below for the bimonthly newsletter plus access to subscriber-only freebies. You may unsubscribe at any time, but I’d be thrilled if you stuck around.
You may read my Privacy Policy here.
©2023 upbeatliving.net
