Just the Facts
by Emmanuel Brown, Staff Writer
Violence is becoming more and more common in society as each day, but I think that everyone believes that the sanctity of the home is and should be free from issues like violence. The home is supposed to be a place of safety, a place full of love, and the one place that we can escape the madness of everyday living. What happens when there is no sanctity and peace at home? Is there an escape?
From the outside looking in, it might seem that a person can walk away from the violence. Walking away might not be as easy as it looks and staying might be the only option for some people who witness someone they love
being physically or mentally abused. The people who are forced to witness and endure this violence are not only the person being abused and their children, it is sometimes others who watch their love ones go through a painful and dangerous existence.
People not directly involved could always call the proper authorities, intervene physically, become a listening ear or try to be a mediator. The problem with any of these suggestions is that the abused may react negatively any attempt to help them. They may turn their back on the person who actually loves them and continue in an abusive cycle with someone they fear or that they think loves them.
This may sound ridiculous to someone not enduring physical abuse, but abuse is not only physical. Abuse is also the mental anguish that eats away at a victim’s self-esteem, causes a fear of inability to survive alone, and makes them ashamed that someone may know of their horrible ordeals. Abuse fosters terror in victims of losing their family by being deemed unfit, and convinces victims that the way that they are being treated is completely normal or entirely their fault.
Domestic violence cases vary, often it is men abusing women, but women abuse men, children abuse parents, parents’ abuse children and siblings abuse siblings. Any one in any household may be the victim of abuse at the hands of another family member. Some may not realize the depth of the problem, but domestic violence is serious no matter who the family members involved are. Often these violent characteristics are exhibited outside of the home and overflow into other relationships.
Domestic violence leaves deep rooted inner wounds, and the only way to begin healing those wounds is to remove the source of their pain. The pain of abuse isn’t healed in the same way or in the same length of time for everyone. Being hurt by someone that is
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supposed to be family seems unreal from a distance, so when it to happens to someone directly there are unpredictable effects and consequences. Victims may suffer from health problems, anxiety, depression, drug and alcohol abuse, emotional disorders, lack of emotion, panic attacks, self-injury, suicide attempts, strained family relationships, inability to take care of the family, and even death. This why it is extremely important for people to understand how destructive domestic violence really is.
That slap, that push, and even restraint is a form of violence and must stop immediately. When a person decides to leave a violent situation there is abundant help and support available to them. (See the list following). The one thing they need most is support from their family, friends, and community.
Please show your support for victims of domestic violence; we can stop the damage before it's too late.
Ways support domestic violence victims:
* 24-Hour Crisis Lines
* Emergency Shelters
* Support Groups
* Transitional Housing Programs
* Peer Education Programs
* Domestic Violence Intervention and Treatment
* Counseling
* Advocacy
Emmanuel Brown is the creator of Seeing Growth and Voices and Visions. He currently resides In North Chicago Illinois.
