DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS

OCTOBER is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

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.

Domestic Violence affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels.
Often - Violence is happening in a home where you least expect it... it is generally the victims pattern to 'hide' the fact that abuse is occurring... Don't close your eyes to abuse - stay aware and offer help. If you are in an abusive relationship - Save your life - and GET OUT...

if you know someone in an abusive relationship - encourage her/him to get help and to GET OUT! Help is available...TOGETHER we can END the LEGACY of ABUSE!!!

BREAK THE SILENCE - MAKE THE CALL! 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

THE NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE http://ndvh.org/

• 1 out of 3 women ... in all of the world have been victims of Domestic Violence
  
• At least 3 women are murdered everyday by their partners
  
• 75% of those murders, occur in the home


• Violence against women costs companies approx. $75 million a year in lost productivity
  

WHAT CAN YOU DO FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE?

1. Attend upcoming events around the country.
2. Spread the word that October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
3. Show your PURPLE POWER! Wear Purple and pass out Purple Ribbons!
4. Help a service provider in your area. Call the Hotline to find out local organizations that support Domestic Violence 1-800-799-7233
5. Encourage others to join the Million Voices Campaign to End Domestic Violence in America.

PLEASE JOIN THE MILLION VOICES CAMPAIGN
The Million Voices Campaign is a group of people and organizations in America willing to educate, inform, and raise awareness about the problems of domestic violence and sources to help. Joining is easy and free of charge. Help us achieve the goal of ONE MILLION members by joining the Million Voices Campaign and give America a million reasons to END Domestic Violence! http://www.ndvh.org/support-ndvh/join

Friday's FIVE!

I have been a strong supporter of Victims of Domestic Abuse for several years - I have lived abuse and I've loved other victims who have lived domestic abuse... and in honor of my friend, Lisa Mora - who died at the hands of her abusive husband one year ago today, this week's Friday's FIVE! is a simple focus of my favorite references and websites that support victims of domestic abuse.

I encourage any person involved in an abusive situation to GET OUT - GET HELP! There IS life after abuse. You can be peaceful and happy!

1. http://www.ndvh.org/

National Domestic Violence Hotline

1-800-799-SAFE

This website - and this telephone number can direct you to your local agencies that support victims of domestic violence.

2. http://www.ncadv.org/

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence

This is another National organization that offers a lot of valuable information - and support.

3. "The Verbally Abusive Relationship"

Patricia Evans

http://www.amazon.com/Verbally-Abusive-Relationship-Recognize-Respond/dp/1558505822/ref=pd_bbs_7_s9_rk?ie=UTF8&s=books&s9r=8afd079f0ea9078e010eba7fd5df0136&itemPosition=7&qid=1211331830&sr=8-7

Patricia Evans has several books on Verbal Abuse - Domestic violence usually begins with Verbal abuse, but ends in more physical violence. A search on Amazon or at your public library on"Domestic Abuse" will direct you to many good resources.

4. "Life Strategies"

Dr. Phil McGraw

http://www.amazon.com/Life-Strategies-Doing-Works-Matters/dp/0786884592

While this book isn't directly written for survivors of domestic violence - it was many of these 'Life Strategies' that helped me find my own way out of my own domestic abuse. Dr. Phil's "Life Laws" teach you principles necessary for being treated with dignity and respect.

5. Dr. Irene's Verbal Abuse Website

http://www.drirene.com/

This site is created, owned, operated, and funded by Dr. Irene Matiatos. I believe the site has been up and running since at least 1996 - and during the worst of my roller coaster, this website gave me an avenue to voice my pain. I had personal correspondence with Dr. Irene - before and after I divorced - and her support was so eye opening and valuable to me.

PLEASE DO WHAT YOU CAN DO TO END THE LEGACY OF ABUSE...!!!!!!!!!

In Memory of Lisa Mora

One year ago today, my friend, Lisa Mora was murdered by her husband, Omar Mora - with her mother and two young sons (7 & 2) witnessing the violent murder. Lisa lived in an abusive relationship - and was controlled by her abusive husband for years. Sadly, many people were not aware of the abuse that was going on in their home, and were suprised that Omar could do such a thing. This is the pattern for abusers ... convincing everyone else they are charming people, while they emotionally, verbally, physically and sexually abuse their partners. Isolation is their goal, while attempting to convince their victims that they are responsible for the behavior. Abuse leaves a terrible legacy that is passed down from generation to generation. Abuse can be emotional, physical, verbal, substance or sexual, but the same patterns and behaviors develop in the victim - and the children that are witness to abuse live a life that examples the abuse as normal and acceptable behavior, thus resulting in a destiny of a lifetime of abuse.

The legacy must be stopped -
Break the Silence .... Make a Call.
National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE)
http://www.ndvh.org/

HELP FIND OMAR MORA
OMAR MORA fled the scene and has not been seen since. In July 2007, his truck was found in Chicago. He is suspected to be in Mexico.

http://www.amw.com/fugitives/brief.cfm?id=45464
AMERICA'S MOST WANTED
1-800-CRIME-TV

REST IN PEACE LISA,
WE MISS YOU!