A couple of months ago I attended a “Girls Night Out” to help fight domestic violence. The stories and statistics of that evening have haunted me ever since.
In Southwest Michigan alone, 56 women were killed due to domestic violence in 2008. That number is staggering, one woman a week.
This is not just in marriage but dating and even teen-dating relationships. Forty percent of girls age 14 to 17 report knowing someone their age who has been hit or beaten by a boyfriend. (Children Now/Kaiser Permanente poll, December 1995) The subject has been heavy on my heart and I plan to have information available at the Praise and Coffee Nights about how to seek help if a woman is in this situation.
The truth is that this is happening at an alarming rate and we need to be prepared to know how to help women. Yes, we need to pray for them and for their marriages, but should never encourage a woman to go back into an abusive situation. Being abused is not what being a Godly wife is about.
Abuse is a pattern of coercive control that one person exercises over another. Battering is a behavior that physically harms, arouses fear, prevents a partner from doing what they wish or forces them to behave in ways they do not want. Battering includes the use of physical and sexual violence, threats and intimidation, emotional abuse and economic deprivation. Domestic violence can happen to anyone of any race, age, sexual orientation, religion or gender. It can happen to couples who are married, living together or who are dating. Domestic violence affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels. (Source: NDVH website)
If you are in this situation, please get help. Not only for yourself, but for your children. Even if they are not the direct victim of abuse, these are some of the results of them living in an abusive/violent home:
Impact on children
You Are Not Alone:
And another (warning, graphic) :
Here are some important links to check out:
11 Myths regarding domestic violence and abuse Things to say to a friend being abused Why women stay Sylvia’s Place~ Allegan, Michigan
The National Domestic Abuse hotline is: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) And click this button for their website:
Add this button to your blog:
<a href=” http://www.ndvh.org/”><img src=” http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee177/praiseandcoffee/domesticabuse.jpg “></a>
I’m praying for women who are victims and potential victims of domestic abuse, please remember them in your prayers and reach out to help these women in your lives and communities. PS: One more day to enter the June giveaway! (see June 1st post)
