| Abusive Relationships
Something to Consider Images we have seen in TV and movies over the years have been of a stereotypical "victim" of abuse - a woman or girl who is uneducated, usually lower class, and seems incapable of making good decisions. When a live police show features domestic violence, the police don't go into upper class homes or the boardrooms of corporate America. Although there are risk factors found with social-economic status, abusive relationships occur in every social class, and are not restricted by the level of education of the family members, or by their income. 1 in 4 women have been physically abused in a dating or marital relationship. Yes, that is 25% of all women in the United States! (Justice Dept. and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2000) Based on this statistic, the odds are pretty high that you may know someone who is in an abusive situation. In my book, When Love Turns to Fear: Answers from an Abuse Survivor, I talk about how prevalent abuse is in our society. I also discuss how there are several different types of abuse: emotional, physical, sexual, economical, and even sometimes spiritual. My goal is to prevent women and girls from being caught in these destructive relationships. Upcoming articles will provide you with more information about all of these aspects of abuse. I want to help you understand how women or girls can become "trapped" in these relationships. Also, you will learn ways to deal with these situations, whether you need help for yourself, or for a friend. |
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