Be a Friend... Break the Silence

Silence Hides Violence

 

Thank You for Caring and Having the Courage to Start a Conversation!

Be a Friend... Break the Silence

Starting a conversation is difficult, but if you think someone is in trouble, being controlled, abused, or dominated; speaking out is the right thing to do.

What is Domestic Violence?

Domestic Violence is a pattern of behavior used by one person to control another person in an intimate relationship through one or more tactics:


 

 

·         emotional abuse/controlling behavior

·         verbal abuse

·         psychological abuse

·         sexual control or abuse

·         threatening behaviors

·         economic abuse

·         physical violence

What are the Signs of Domestic Violence?

·         Is he/she nervous, jumpy, and walking on eggshells?

·         Does he/she seem afraid of their partner or is always anxious to please the partner?

·         Has he/she stopped seeing friends or family, doing the things they enjoy?

·         Has he/she stopped making decisions – leavings them all up to their partner?

·         Does he/she stay in constant contact with their partner throughout the day?

·         Has he/she become anxious or depressed, lost their confidence and/or is unusually quiet?

·         At work, is he/she often tardy, or miss work, get contacted all day by their partner, have poor concentration?

·         Does he/she have any visible signs – bruises, broken bones, scratches, cuts, bite marks, other injuries (and might give unlikely explanations)?

Why People Stay in Abusive Relationships:

Some of these reasons include: 

• Belief that the abuser will change, that the abuse is their fault or that it is normal
•  Fear of loneliness, economic hardship, losing custody of children or fear for safety.
•  Isolation from family, friends, community may leave the victim with no self-esteem and feeling that she/he has nowhere to go.
•  Love and the desire to keep family together.

How you can start the conversation:

·         Educate yourself about domestic violence – review DVRC’s website; call DVRC and talk with an advocate

·         Tell them you care about them and are concerned about them

·         Ask if they are safe

·         Refer them to DVRC

·         Do NOT judge their situation and their choices, blame them, give them advice or tell them what to do – it’s their choice.