| There is a generation of children growing up | | | | and the |
| believing that it is okay to hurt others this | | | | |
| way and that is our problem as an intelligent | | | | importance of protecting the victims.There |
| society to look at and try to fix. We are all | | | | are many services available to help families |
| responsible for our own actions but when | | | | struggling with domestic violence. Always |
| children grow up with a distorted sense of | | | | remember safety comes first. Financial |
| what a relationship is we have to show them | | | | options, safe housing, and relocation options |
| that there is a better way to live.If your | | | | are usually available with a shelter |
| spouse, intimate partner, or date uses | | | | recommendation.There are also domestic |
| physical violence, threats, emotional abuse, | | | | violence counseling services available from |
| harassment, or stalking to control the | | | | social service agencies. Check your local |
| behavior of partners, they are committing | | | | phone directory for listings of government |
| domestic violence.Some men are victims of | | | | services for battered women.Domestic violence |
| domestic violence but most are women. Anyone | | | | is a crime that affects us all. We all need |
| who witnesses domestic violence are also | | | | to be aware of the consequences of it. At |
| victims. The children are the ones who are | | | | home and in our schools, the evidence is |
| affected the most; they will also suffer from | | | | there. It might not be in your family but you |
| behavioral and cognitive problems.They are | | | | can bet your child goes to school with |
| likely to be aggressive if they are a witness | | | | somebody who's parent is being assaulted |
| to domestic violence. Statistics are showing | | | | physically, emotionally or mentally by |
| that some boys and girls engage in criminal | | | | somebody they love.The courts are overflowing |
| behavior if they grow up in homes | | | | with an increasing number of cases that |
| | | | directly relate to domestic violence. Our |
| where abusive behavior exists.There is a | | | | children suffer with low self-esteem, |
| greater possibility that they will also have | | | | self-worth, and lack of relationship |
| violent relationships when they are adults. | | | | skills.For most women their standard of |
| If you, a relative, a friend, or a neighbor | | | | living is affected. Some go from mansions to |
| is living in a domestic abuse situation, | | | | a hole in the wall just to feel safe. These |
| think about developing a safety plan. Start | | | | women are hardest hit I believe and sometimes |
| with the little things like a spare set of | | | | go back to their abuser because of finances |
| keys, phone numbers, birth certificates, | | | | and the kids say that it was that bad. Some |
| passports, bankbooks, and insurance or | | | | women that don't go back are unable to trust |
| mortgage papers in a safe place only known to | | | | and their ability to form a loving |
| you.Most of the time that will be with a | | | | partnership with another individual is |
| trusted friend or relative. Plan the best way | | | | hindered. The companies that hire these men |
| to get out of your home quickly and safely. | | | | and women suffer, by a loss of employee |
| You should always have this in place if a | | | | productivity and absenteeism.There are times |
| battering incident begins. If you have to | | | | when going to work is the only reprieve for |
| leave your home, you should have the names | | | | some though. If you know of somebody at your |
| and phone numbers of shelters, safe houses, | | | | place of work that is abusive or involved in |
| or a trusted friend.If you are being battered | | | | a domestic violent relationship don't say |
| or you know that a spouse or intimate partner | | | | it's not my problem ask them discreetly if |
| is battering their partner call the police | | | | they would like to talk about it and have a |
| right away for help, if you can get to a | | | | number for the local shelter handy.We are all |
| phone safely. Don't be afraid to ask for | | | | responsible for the next generation and it is |
| immediate help. Domestic violence is a crime, | | | | those children who will be affected by it. |
| not a " family secret." If you are a child | | | | Even if you are not directly involved do |
| tell a teacher or guidance counselor that you | | | | something to help others who are in a violent |
| trust or phone the police from a safe | | | | situation. Your children might hear the |
| place.Remember that you do have Rights under | | | | neighbours beating on each other and it will |
| the Law use them.You or anyone else | | | | affect them if you don't try to stop the |
| experiencing domestic violence has the right | | | | violence by calling the police.Kids are a |
| to go to court and petition for an order of | | | | product of their environment and will think |
| protection. You should also ask for custody | | | | that it is exceptable behavior if it is not |
| of your children and child support at the | | | | stopped. We all need to take steps to end |
| same time. You should try to get a lawyer to | | | | Domestic Violence or any violent act for that |
| represent you and protect all of your rights | | | | matter.You could save a life in your own |
| under the law. Call a local agency against | | | | family; I know that because my sister wasn't |
| domestic violence, a crisis hotline, or the | | | | afraid to get involved and called my |
| bar association to learn more about where to | | | | neighbours she possibly saved mine.Really, |
| find legal help.Not all lawyers are the same. | | | | how hard is it to dial 911?My name is Elane |
| Don't use the same one that did the paper | | | | and I have no formal education in Writing, I |
| work when you bought your home, incorporated | | | | did go to high school and college. I do |
| our business or read Aunt Hatties will unless | | | | however have life experience with women's |
| you can convince them that this is a high | | | | issues like child abuse, rape, domestic |
| maintenance case and they have to protect | | | | violence, post traumatic stress disorder, |
| you, your children and your interests. It is | | | | alcoholism and addiction, marriage and |
| really best to try to find an attorney that | | | | divorce, parenting, love and committment, |
| deals only with family or domestic violence | | | | remarriage, step-parenting, chronic illness |
| law. They can best understand the situation | | | | and disabilities. |