Today is the day many bloggers from BlogCatalog.com are uniting to blog against abuse of all kinds. I don’t have any personal stories to tell as far as any type of abuse, but I hear about domestic abuse frequently and it’s enough to make my blood boil when I do. I DO want to bring attention to domestic abuse, point out a couple of things you can do, someone else working tirelessly to bring attention to the issue, and an organization to which you can donate in order to support efforts to free others from such a miserable existence.
I have a police scanner and I hear MORE about domestic violence than I do ANYTHING on it. Truthfully, sometimes I have a hard time understanding why someone would continue in such circumstances. Then I remember some folks just plain ole don’t feel or believe they have any other choice or they truly believe and hope the abuser will change eventually. In some cases, it starts off so subtilely the abused may not even realize what’s really happening to them for quite some time.
I’m not going to pretend to have any of the answers myself. As I said, I’ve been very fortunate in that I haven’t had to deal with this issue first hand so who am I to offer advice as to WHAT to do to overcome the circumstances? What I CAN suggest, however, is that we support the individuals and organizations that bring awareness to this vile issue and the agencies that CAN lead the abused first to safety and then, hopefully, to a much more stable, peaceful and fulfilling life.
I also suggest any of you reading this that are being abused, please seek help from agencies qualified to help you as soon as possible. You can call whichever number here is applicable to you and get help immediately anytime anyplace. The numbers are:
- 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
- 1-800-787-3224 (TTY)
I also want to encourage you to use the word “overcomer” to describe yourself if you have made your way or are working to make your way physically out of an abusive relationship. The way I see it, if you’ve made a solid decision to get out and are diligently seeking a way out, or are no longer physically in it, you have overcome at least some level of the abuse even though you may still be working to overcome the emotional and mental pain. Making the decision to get yourself out of the situation is “overcoming” any fear that may have been instilled in you by your abuser and fear is a HUGE hurtle to jump.
I see a “survivor” as someone who is still physically in the thick of the situation and “surviving” moment-to-moment, day-to-day, or so on. If you’re working to get out of it or are already out of the situation physically, give yourself credit NOW and claim to be an overcomer! Hold that description of yourself tightly in your heart and mind. Don’t let go of it! You ARE an Overcomer! Take the next step to overcome the next obstacle before you. One thing at a time. You’ve come this far. PLEASE don’t backstep. One battle at a time to win the war. One step at a time to cover the miles.
One of my fellow Baby Boomer Divas, a wonderful lady and an OVERCOMER of domestic violence herself, Jaisun McMillian, is working diligently using her many talents to bring awareness to domestic violence. She has authored several books based upon her own personal experiences. She also produced the film, Behind Closed Doors, which is based upon her book of the same title.
If you’ve got kids or career/work clothing that would be beneficial to someone in that situation, please donate at least some of it to a domestic violence agency/organization. In many cases, when the abused DOES manage to get out, they must leave with only the clothing on their backs, nothing more.
Do you have extra household items? They’re needed in order to assist the abused with setting up a new home. Kids books, toys, stuffed animals? No doubt the children in this situation very much appreciate something to snuggle with for some sense of security, entertain them, and for a bit take their minds off the fact that their lives have been so severely disrupted.
May I make a suggestion for one agency that accepts monetary donations? It’s the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation. The MKACF issues grants to shelters across the country to assist in the battle to save and protect the abused.
If you are associated in some manner with an abuse shelter, look into whether or not your organization will qualify for a grant from MKACF. You can obtain the grant application information from the MKACF website. As of the date (9/27/2007) of this post, the grant application currently available on the site was due to be submitted August 31, 2007. Download and view it anyway so you can get an idea in advance of what information the MKACF will need from your organization.
Do you know of anything else that can be done to help? Please share in a comment.
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