1 in 10 high school students has purposely hit, slapped or physically hurt by a boyfriend or girlfriend. http://www.loveisrespect.org/is-this-abuse/dating-violence-statistics

Domestic Violence and Animal Shelters

5,000 animal shelters in USA
1,942 domestic violence shelters in USA
2.8 times as many shelters for animals as people

Color-coded Personal Protection Orders

Regarding Personal Protection Orders (PPO), I think the legal system should have a color-coded alert system like Homeland Security previously used in warning Americans of potential terrorist attacks, after All Abusers are Terrorist. RED = Severe Risk (parole violation, previous PPOs violations, etc.); ORANGE = High Risk (multiple arrests of various types, reports of stalking, etc); YELLOW = Elevated Risk (multiple 911 calls from same victim, etc.); BLUE = Guarded Risk (threats through emails, phone, and in person, etc.). This would also help the police know what they are facing when responding to domestic violence calls which are over 50% of 911 calls.

Purple Heart 50 Years Later

Korean War is the topic of my writing today. My uncle was injured in that war and didn't have his Purple Heart presented to him until 50 years later. I'm writing an article to go in our home town paper in West Plains, MO.

medical profession as Front Line Defenders against domestic violence

All medical professionals are in a position to be Front Line Defenders against domestic violence.   They see the "bathing suit" areas where abusers typically injure their victims because they are covered with clothing.   I did a training session of symptoms, etc. for the staff in my primary doctor's office.  I got hugs and multiple thanks yous for doing it.  Then when I spoke with the organizer, she said they were amazed that some members of the staff started talking about their own situations that they had been afraid to talk about before the training.  The sad thing is that the trainer for the company won't include me in the training schedules of their other 7 office in the KC area.  I'm going to see about doing a lunch and learn so it takes the trainer out of it.

Weapons used in Domestic Violence

The weapon in my abuser's arsenal that did continuous, ever-lasting damage to me did not leave visible physical symptoms on me.  It was bullet words shot at me with day in and day out -  derogatory name calling, insulting criticism, threats, taunts, negative labeling, blaming, false accusations, etc.  Words that tattered my being like a paper target at shooting ranges.  Bruises and broken bones heal but the words never go away.

Domestic Violence Defined

"Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner," is the National Center for Victims of Crime's definition.  There is no one accepted definition for Domestic Violence, but this one says it pretty succinctly, in my not so humble opinion.  To me the key words are "control and power."  This describes every abuse whether is is (child abuse, elder abuse, family units of various types, or intimate partners).  Abuse is a abuse and these are a few of the weapons in an abuser's arsenal.   

Domestic violence includes any behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize, coerce, threaten, blame, hurt, injure, or wound someone.  Physical Abuse: Hitting, slapping, shoving, grabbing, pinching, biting, hair pulling, denying a partner medical care or forcing alcohol and/or drug use upon another person.  Sexual Abuse: coercing any sexual contact or behavior without consent, marital rape, attacks on sexual parts of the body, forcing sex after physical violence has occurred, treating one in a sexually demeaning manner.  Emotional Abuse: verbal abuse that undermines individual's sense of self-worth and/or self-esteem through constant criticism,  name-calling, damaging one's relationship with the children.  Economic Abuse: attempting to make an individual financially dependent by maintaining total control over financial resources, withholding one's access to money, forbidding one's attendance at school or employment.  Psychological Abuse: causing fear by intimidation; threatening physical harm to self, partner, children, or partner's family or friends; destruction of pets and property; and forcing isolation from family, friends, or school and/or work.
National Network to End Domestic Violence

TV Show Law & Order: SVU fights domestic violence

Actress Mariska Hargitay who plays Detective Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit founded it. She says "When people are abused and assaulted, it is like the doors to their souls slam shut. The goal of Joyful Heart is to let the light, and the life, back in--to banish the darkness and let the healing begin."  The cast of the show joins her in helping ALL victims of ALL types of abuse.   Impressive video



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zusb6VuF1jI