October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Domestic violence touches every community in this nation. Individuals of every race, religion, and background are affected; its consequences transcend generations, impacting children and reshaping entire families.
Domestic violence is best understood as a pattern of abusive behaviors – including physical, sexual, and psychological attacks, as well as economic coercion used by one partner against another to gain or maintain power and control in a relationship. Batterers use a range of tactics to frighten, terrorize, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, injure, and sometimes kill a current or former intimate partner. To learn more about domestic violence, including potential warning signs of abuse, click here
Technology has given abusers more methods of controlling and monitoring victims. Some ways that technology can be used to abuse are: (1) intimidating and making threats via cell phone, text messages, and email (2) accessing victim’s accounts (email, social media, etc.) without the victims consent and oftentimes without their knowledge. These are not new tactics within the context of domestic violence. However, the use of technology in these situations means that the harassment and the abuse can be much more invasive, intensive, and traumatizing. To learn more, click here
Watching someone endure an abusive situation can be difficult under any circumstance, and it is not always clear how best to respond. If you or someone you love is experiencing abuse or violence in their relationship, learn more on how to help
Am I being Abused?
Warning Signs of Abuse.
Create a Safey Plan.
Help for Abusive Partners.
Get Help.