| When is the best time to grab a victim out of an | | | | But just outside and beyond that pain is a profound |
| abusive relationship? There are two points of | | | | knowing that what just occurred is WRONG! And |
| intervention. That is, there are two times when she | | | | from here, the victim is shaken awake out from the |
| he is MOST amenable to leaving the abusive | | | | confusion of their abusive relationship. |
| relationship. | | | | She/he is shaken awake holding all of the power in |
| What are these times? | | | | the relationship. And in that moment of |
| 1) Before she/he settles into the relationship and | | | | empowerment, she/he can truly see other options |
| becomes part of the dynamic, and | | | | for her/himself. |
| 2) Immediately after an altercation, whether verbal | | | | Empowerment after the altercation |
| or physical. | | | | At the core of our being is a knowing that we are |
| The first is obvious. It's always easier to end | | | | whole and we deserve to be honored as such, rather |
| something before it begins, right? That's why we | | | | than broken down into pieces ...shattered into pieces, |
| say, prevention is the best cure. | | | | as we adapt to being an extension of another |
| The second may seem simple and obvious. However, | | | | overpowering us. |
| it is quite complex and not as clear to most people. | | | | If you are in an abusive relationship, stop and look at |
| Immediately after an altercation, the victim is | | | | this moment of empowerment as your entry into |
| empowered! Now this may sound ridiculous, as she | | | | your exit from your abusive relationship. If you are a |
| he has just been victimized by the assault. Yes, this | | | | friend or family of someone in an abusive relationship, |
| is true and assault does hurt. There's no question | | | | recognize this is your best point of intervention. |
| about that. | | | | |