Breaking The Silence: Victims No More
()
About this ebook
The silence must be broken...
Each year, thousands of men, women, and children suffer domestic violence. For many, it’s far too long to live in this kind of silence. How much devastation must we see in individuals, families, and communities before we realize that someone... anyone... everyone must take a stand?
Featuring stories & accounts from domestic violence survivors & family members. Also included is information regarding types of abuse, why victims stay, awareness months, & a personalized safety plan.
Domestic violence has the potential to destroy everything it touches, but there is a solution.
Stand up, speak up, and break the silence!
Sarah's Refuge Inc
Sarah’s Refuge, Inc. operates the only residential and non-residential domestic violence and rape crisis center in Duplin County, NC. For victims with no other resources or options, domestic violence shelters are often the only option for safety during the initial weeks of transition. http://www.sarahsrefuge.com/
Related to Breaking The Silence
Related ebooks
The Murder of Jeffrey Dryden: The Grim Truth Surrounding Male Domestic Abuse Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Message to My Abuser: Saying No to Abuse Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDomestic Violence: "You Are Not Alone" Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBeyond Abuse: A Recovery Guide for Men and Women in an Era of Me, and All of Us, Too Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Mind is a Terrible Thing to Manipulate Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFrom Wreckage to Sunrise Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe House of Abuse Understanding Violence In the Home Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsJourneys: Resilience and Growth for Survivors of Intimate Partner Abuse Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMy Life, My Soul: Surviving, Healing And Thriving After An Abusive Relationship Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFree Yourself From an Abusive Relationship: Seven Steps to Taking Back Your Life Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsUnclenching Our Fists: Abusive Men on the Journey to Nonviolence Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTales Of Domestic Violence Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBeLEAVEing: Safely Leaving Abusive Relationships Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHis History, Her Story: A Survival Guide for Spouses of Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse and Trauma, 2nd Edition Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsViolence, Control, and Other Kinds of Love Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFinding Courage In The Conflict Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings3 Things Narcissists Don't Want You to Know Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWarning Signs - Volume 2: Warning Signs, #2 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCrawling Out: One Woman's Journey to Break the Cycle of Abuse Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSecrets of Abuse Survival Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMe & Bad Boyz: Revealing the Hidden Darkness Behind Abuse Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMy Broken Smiles: Beautifully Broken Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHealing Me Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDivorce Journey Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsOut of the Depths: Your Companion After Sexual Assault: Out of the Depths Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThrough It All I'm Still Standing...Bringing Awareness To Narcissistic Personality Disorder And Emotional Abuse Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCarnal Abuse By Deceit: Second Edition Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMen Too: Unspoken Truths About Male Sexual Abuse Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Baby Mama Syndrome: Unwed Parents, Intimate Partners, Romantic Rivals, and the Rest of Us Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Relationships For You
The Big Book of 30-Day Challenges: 60 Habit-Forming Programs to Live an Infinitely Better Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5All About Love: New Visions Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Polysecure: Attachment, Trauma and Consensual Nonmonogamy Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Mating in Captivity: Unlocking Erotic Intelligence Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Codependence and the Power of Detachment: How to Set Boundaries and Make Your Life Your Own Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Running on Empty: Overcome Your Childhood Emotional Neglect Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I'm Glad My Mom Died Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5She Comes First: The Thinking Man's Guide to Pleasuring a Woman Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Dumbing Us Down - 25th Anniversary Edition: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Boundaries Workbook: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, HER Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Covert Passive Aggressive Narcissist: The Narcissism Series, #1 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Child Called It: One Child's Courage to Survive Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Boundaries with Kids: How Healthy Choices Grow Healthy Children Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How to Talk so Little Kids Will Listen: A Survival Guide to Life with Children Ages 2-7 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Like Switch: An Ex-FBI Agent's Guide to Influencing, Attracting, and Winning People Over Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5It's Not Supposed to Be This Way: Finding Unexpected Strength When Disappointments Leave You Shattered Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The ADHD Effect on Marriage: Understand and Rebuild Your Relationship in Six Steps Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5My Grandmother's Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I Guess I Haven't Learned That Yet: Discovering New Ways of Living When the Old Ways Stop Working Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5What Makes Love Last?: How to Build Trust and Avoid Betrayal Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Good Girl's Guide to Great Sex: Creating a Marriage That's Both Holy and Hot Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for Breaking The Silence
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
Breaking The Silence - Sarah's Refuge Inc
Foreword
Jeanette A. Bethea, M.Div.,M.B.A.,M.A.,B.S.N.
Breaking the Silence: Victims No More is an anthropology written by those affected by rape and domestic violence including the victims, their families and friends, and members of the community. The writings address how victims can overcome the stigma, despair, despondency, and hopelessness of domestic violence by exposing it while, in the process, making a conscious effort to regain a sense of wholeness and self worth.
Because of my work with rape and domestic abuse victims in the past, I can relate to their struggles, hopes, and dreams. As a Court Advocate in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court in Henrico County, Virginia, I prepared many of these victims for his/her court appearance to obtain a restraining order. I also developed a plan for follow-up services through Safe Harbor, a comprehensive program for victims of domestic and sexual violence, and other community resources.
I witnessed the hurt, the shame, the confusion, the sense of hopelessness, worthlessness, and diminished sense of trust as I observed victims’ speech pattern and body language. You will see these emotions portrayed by the writers throughout the book.
I often initiated my interaction with victims by encouraging them to look directly at me rather than to divert their eyes as they revisited the shame of victimization. I reminded the victim that what happened to them was NOT their fault…I told the victim that he/she was NOT responsible for the abuser’s detestable behavior. I informed the victim that I was present to function as advocate, encourager, supporter, and confidante.
As you read these collections from Breaking the Silence: Victims No More, try to experience vicariously the ravages of abuse as well as the courage of the victim to see beyond the abuse and to grasp the glimmer of hope, however faint, that was in the future. Visualize yourself being bullied, beaten, or verbally vilified. Think about how you would feel as a family member or friend of someone murdered by their abuser.
On the positive side, feel the joy as you read of victims who escape from their prison of violence to find the freedom and peace so long sought. Their success story may encourage another.
Spiritually identify with victims as they expose the shame and horrors of abuse to embrace a new vision of who they are and Whose they are.
It is the hope of the contributing writers that all forms of domestic and sexual violence be hidden no more and that readers become increasingly aware of the symptoms and effects of violence in the home, school, and community so that all of us will be motivated to become agents of change who will address the destructive effects of rape and domestic violence.
Finally, an over-reaching goal is to break the silence of abuse until there are no more victims! No more bullying, name calling, stalking, hitting, slapping, intimidation by use of words or weapons, isolation, shoving, pushing, controlling, restraining, threats, total control of finances, or forced sex!
"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God… since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another."
(First John 4:7, 11 NIV)
Introduction
As you drive by, you see the beautifully manicured yard. You see the bricked or newly painted house. You may even see a luxury car or two. But you can’t see behind those closed doors and picket fences. Therein lies the problem. How do you conquer an almost invisible enemy? Without the signs, it is almost impossible to know the agony that someone may be experiencing. Sometimes, the truth saves a person before it is too late. At other times, the outcome is not so positive.
Violence, whether physical, mental, or emotional, can have far ranging and devastating effects for not only victims but their families and communities. Until someone feels the need to speak out against it, the violence will continue to grow. So, who is going to shout out Enough is enough. This will no longer be tolerated!
?
We will!
say the writers of Breaking the Silence: Victims No More. "And we will sum it up by saying, ‘Victims, we care about your pain. There is hope. You are not alone.’"
Section I:
Information
What is Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence can be defined as a pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner. Abuse is physical, sexual, emotional, economic or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviors that frighten, intimidate, terrorize, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, injure or wound someone.
Domestic violence can happen to anyone of any race, age, sexual orientation, religion or gender. It can happen to couples who are married, living together or who are dating. Domestic violence affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels.
Physical Abuse: Hitting, slapping, shoving, grabbing, pinching, biting, hair pulling, etc are types of physical abuse. This type of abuse also includes denying a partner medical care or forcing alcohol and/or drug use upon him or her.
Emotional Abuse: Undermining an individual's sense of self-worth and/or self-esteem is abusive. This may include, but is not limited to constant criticism, diminishing one's abilities, name-calling, or damaging one's relationship with his or her children.
Economic Abuse: Is defined as making or attempting to make an individual financially dependent by maintaining total control over financial resources, withholding one's access to money, or forbidding one's attendance at school or employment.
Psychological Abuse: Elements of psychological abuse include–but are not limited to–causing fear by intimidation; threatening physical harm to self, partner, children, or partner's family or friends; destruction of pets and property; and forcing isolation from family, friends, or school and/or work.
Domestic violence can happen to anyone