| Domestic abuse is more widespread than many | | | | that abuse is occurring. Many times the victim is in |
| people would like to admit. Have you noticed how | | | | denial and try to explain away the physical signs - "I |
| your neighbor had her face covered after last night's | | | | fell and hit my hand". |
| row? But, before going further I would like to correct | | | | Many signs exist that can point to an abusive |
| a popular misconception. Men are also victims of the | | | | relationship. A fear of the partner is the most |
| violence. Sadly men inflict more physical injuries on | | | | obvious one. If you are inclined to tread very |
| their partners than there women but a majority of | | | | carefully around him/her and you are constantly |
| the violence is give-and-take. Intimate partner | | | | careful about what you say and do to prevent an |
| violence and spousal abuse are commonly used to | | | | explosion you should admit that you are in a |
| describe situations involving domestic abuse. Also the | | | | relationship that is unhealthy and abusive. A partner |
| abuse can be non-physical through acts of mental | | | | that belittles you and tries to organize every aspect |
| and emotional torture, intimidation and control. | | | | of your life also point to signs of danger. Some of |
| Domestic abuse is a serious issue that there are | | | | these things may seem harmless but domestic abuse |
| government-funded programs that aim, to assist the | | | | is known to spiral up from simple verbal intimidation |
| victims and the perpetrators. There are support | | | | and yelling to physical assault. |
| groups, call lines, social programs that are there to | | | | Also one of the most common and misguided |
| help. These allow both parties to come to terms with | | | | conceptions among the victims is that "I am at fault. |
| what has happened and give them the support as | | | | He\she was only trying to show me my mistake". No. |
| they embark on rebuilding their lives. So recognize | | | | No action on your part justifies the abuse. It may |
| that you need help and contact someone. These | | | | true as told about the violence being reciprocal, but |
| people are professional and will always maintain the | | | | refrain from accepting you are to blame. It is the |
| details you supplied with confidentiality. | | | | other party that is doing the abusing, so it is clearly |
| Domestic abuse also has a history of being cyclic. | | | | their fault. |
| The couple will reconcile, and then over a period the | | | | Once you recognize you need help - please contact |
| tension will build before it is allowed out in an act of | | | | the above organizations. On rare occasions both |
| abuse. Also there are many explanations as to why | | | | partners are known to visit such a program for help |
| people are driven to abuse their partner. Stress, | | | | together, though sadly it was precipitated by a |
| childhood experience, the need to be in control and | | | | serious event, causing both parties to recognize that |
| mental illness have been attributed among the | | | | they need help to keep the good things going. |
| reasons for the abuse. | | | | Remember domestic abuse is something that can and |
| People need to first come to terms with the fact | | | | should be overcome. |