OVER $700 DONATED BY 9-YEAR-OLD TWINS!  Brook and Morgan, thoughtful, young philanthropists delivered a gift bag stuffed full of gift cards last week to the Lee’s Summit, MO, domestic violence shelter of HOPE HOUSE.  The girls had asked their friends to bring gift cards to their 9th birthday party instead of buying presents---over $700 worth.  The residents at Hope House thank them for their extraordinary kindness and for showing that charity and thinking of others starts young.  Parents must be extremely proud.  Hope House web site

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.