~Improving our world,
only with YOUR help,
one mind at a time~
Starting with you....
BE the CHANGE
you wish to see in our World...
~{gandhi}~
I'm making MY change by asking YOU to take just a few minutes of your time to help me:
~BREAK THE SILENCE!~
~STOP THE VIOLENCE!~
I created this site to bring to the general public's AWARENESS that Interpersonal Violence (of which domestic violence is ONE) has become an epidemic in our society!
If you know someone IN trouble NOW & For ANY true emergencies, of course, call 911 or your local police!
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If you or someone you know is in an abusive , call 1-800-799-SAFE. This number can and will link you to the nearest domestic violence center in your area. ! The first step is picking up the phone and calling for help. Please, I beg of you, take that first step!
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HEALING PLACE HOME has made a short, yet poignant video about Domestic Violence, please take just 1 minute and 43 seconds of your time to watch this... Thank you!
~ CYCLES OF ABUSE ~
**Research shows that there are three (3) stages or cycles of abuse: (i) Child Abuse then Teen Violence/Abuse linked to family, relationship or peer cruelty; (ii) the middle-aged population faced with spousal or perhaps work-related aggression, and finally (iii) the elderly, a highly vulnerable population largely dependent upon care from others. Let’s break it down by age groups and see exactly where we can break the cycle. (Taken from Reenie's Piece of Mind article in Healing Place Home)
Domestic violence is defined as a pattern of coercive and controlling behaviors (manipulation) and tactics used by one person over another to gain power and control. This may include verbal abuse, financial abuse, emotional, sexual, and physical abuse. (Physical abuse is the only acknowledged form of abuse currently.
Domestic and Interpersonal violence cross all ethnic, racial and socio-economic lines. Partners may be married or not married; heterosexual, gay, or lesbian; living together, separated or . Emotional / psychological abuse can be extremely damaging, and some report that it’s worse than physical abuse. (I completely with this last statement having been a victim of both from the same man... the emotional and verbal abuse I"m still healing from over 13 years worth whereas the physical violence stopped very early on in our relationship because I told him I wasn't going to stand around and be hit! Of course, little did I realize what the end result {12 years later} would be! Hindsight is EVER 20/20!)
Family is not a name for a group of people, but the QUALITY of relationships between them. Relationships grounded in mutual Love, Trust, Caring and Forgiveness, in all the ups and all the downs of life. Look closely, - who is really your family, and who in truth are just strangers and abusers in for the ride?
~ MY STORY ~
~ HE SHOT ME BETWEEN MY EYES! ~
On Sunday, February 21, 2010, I was a victim of criminal domestic violence (CDV). In the end, from about five feet away, he pointed a 25 caliber pistol at my face and stated, "If I can't have you, NO ONE CAN!" And then he pulled the trigger and my head exploded! - He, quite literally, Shot Me Between My eyes! Lastly, he took his own life! He was NOT a "bad" person when I met him. He was caring and loving and would've given you the shirt off his back! But he was human and made mistakes. (so did I, but I did NOT deserve to be shot!). As we grow older, sometimes we make bad choices...and then Life just goes downhill from there!
a short, 5minute video about my story!
IN MAINE JUST LAST YEAR (2011):
THIS YEAR:
<In our World, Violence within family units, between loved one's (intimate partner violence, child abuse, and elder abuse) AND interpersonal violence (teenagers/dating abuse) has reached EPIDEMIC proportions!>
In SC alone in 2010, 44 deaths directly related to Criminal Domestic Violence were reported!
~ We NEED YOUR Help! We can't do it alone.~
PLEASE HELP US IN ENDING ALL TYPES OF VIOLENCE!
LEARN and become AWARE, please and thank you!
Become knowledgeable about interpersonal violence and what you can do to help stop it! BE the change you wish to see in our World!
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!
Open your eyes AND your mind! Only with an open and non-judgmental mind; with understanding, acknowledgment AND compassion can WE, as a society, begin to accept the FACT that domestic violence and abuse happens to men, women and children (as well as elderly), of all colors and creeds, all professions and family structures, regardless of socio-economic factors (money/status), age, marital status or sexual orientation.
~ STOP JUDGING ~
~START LOVING~
One in four women (25%) has experienced domestic violence in her lifetime (this is just the reported cases of DOMESTIC PHYSICAL violence to WOMEN!) (The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and The National Institute of Justice, Extent, Nature, and Consequences of Intimate Partner Violence, July 2000. The Commonwealth Fund, Health Concerns Across a Woman’s Lifespan: 1998 Survey of Women’s Health, 1999).
If you wish to read the news story regarding my shooting which was printed in the post and courier the very next day after I was shot, click the About Us section to your left.
CHILDREN LEARN WHAT THEY LIVE
(At home, in school, everywhere ~ from Parents, Teachers, everyone)
If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn. (Bullying included!)
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to be shy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty,
If children live with tolerance, they learn to be patient.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with praise, they learn to appreciate.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with acceptance and friendship,
They learn to find LOVE in the world.
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Rape Abuse and Incest victims can contact:
Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network
(800) 656-4673 (HOPE)
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This site was formerly Family Violence Prevention Fund which includes children and other family members (elderly included!)
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Things Men can do:
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Suicide Prevention is also important, as the abuser generally takes his/her own life after attempting if not KILLING the victim(s)!
(800) 273 - 8255 (TALK) OR (800) 784 - 2433 (800-SUICIDE)
Thanks for stopping by!
Judge nothing, you will be happy. Forgive everything, you will be happier. Love everything, you will be happiest.... {Sri Chinmoy}
"Never mind searching for who you are...search instead for who you aspire to be!" {writer Robert Brault}
If you wish to contact me, email me here: Therese@loveshouldnthurt.net
