When my parents started fighting, my sibblings and I would disappear to our rooms or outdoors. Mom and Daddy were oblivious to where we were or what we were doing. Oddly, none of my sisters have ever talked with me about our history of living with domestic violence. I guess for them, it's still our "family secret". I'm happy this topic is now publicly discussed and there is hope and help for the victims of domestic violence.
No one deserves to be abused, be it verbally or physically. Men, women and children can be victims of abuse. Physical violence even among family members is wrong and against the law. It could be happening in the house next door and you may never know it. Too often it is a well kept "family secret".
Anyone can be a victim of domestic violence. Both men and women can be abused though most victims are women. Children in these homes are also likely to be abused. Sometimes the people being abused don't see themselves as victims because they think it only involves hitting, but domestic violence can be psychological, emotional or sexual abuse as well.
According to http://domesticviolence.org , in addition to pushing, hitting, slapping, choking, kicking and biting, the following are other signs of domestic violence:
1. threatening you or your children
2. threatening suicide to get you to do something
3. using or threatening to use a weapon against you
4. keeping or taking your paycheck
5. putting you down
6. forcing you to have sex
7. keeping you from seeing your friends or family
8 keeping you from going to work
These abusive behaviors can happen repeatedly in any kind of relationship and are often followed by a period of making up until the next cycle occurs. If you are being abused please know that you aren't alone, it's not your fault and help is available. It's your human right to be free of domestic violence. You can find a list of helpful groups and their website links at Internet Resources.
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