Have you discovered that your child has been abused? It is an overwhelming time for you and your family. One step you may find helpful is to use this trauma as the impetus to create a very open, honest, and supportive family life. Here's how...
First things first -- congratulations. You have a typical four-year-old. This is about the time we begin to see (especially with boys) more aggression and copying behavior. It's also exactly the age to call a cease and pronto.
If you know someone who is being abused, you can help her by showing you care. Let her speak confidentially about her situation and without judgment. You may be the only person with whom she feels comfortable. Show you care in these ways:
Listen to her
Believe her
Do not minimize her struggle
Do not judge her
Do not blame her
Assure her that she is not responsible for the abuse
Tell her it's not her fault. You can never make someone else hurt you
Myth: Domestic violence does not affect many people.
Fact: Nearly one in three adult women experiences at least one physical assault by a partner during adulthood. (American Psychological Assn., Violence and the Family: Report of the American Psychological Association Presidential Task Force on Violence and the Family, 1996)
Myth: Battering is only a momentary loss of temper.
Domestic violence is a problem that affects every community across the country. It crosses all races, social and economic backgrounds, cultures, religions and relationship types
You will probably have to wait in the courthouse before your case comes up, so you should plan to spend most of the day there. Some courthouses have child care services. Try to find out before you go to court, If they do not, try to leave your children with someone...
This is a common question with a complicated answer. Some people do make changes in their actions and the beliefs that underlie the violence. Such change takes a long period of time. And some people may not change, even if they attend a batterer intervention program.
All battering is dangerous; one push or shove could result in death. Battering increases in frequency and severity over time. Certain behaviors, actions and words by an abuser, however, indicate particular danger for you.
As a child, I was witness to many events that a child should not see. Many had no clue of the horrors that went on behind closed doors and those that knew turned a blind eye. As a child I had no understanding of what was going on around me. I only knew a life of violence handed out to my mother by my alcoholic father.
First things first -- congratulations. You have a typical four-year-old. This is about the time we begin to see (especially with boys) more aggression and copying behavior. It's also exactly the age to call a cease and pronto.
Have you discovered that your child has been abused? It is an overwhelming time for you and your family. One step you may find helpful is to use this trauma as the impetus to create a very open, honest, and supportive family life. Here's how...
It was reported in 1992 that 63% of children between the ages of 11 and 20 who were in prison, were there because they killed their mother's batterer. Do statistics like this startle you?
Domestic violence is a problem that affects every community across the country. It crosses all races, social and economic backgrounds, cultures, religions and relationship types
You will probably have to wait in the courthouse before your case comes up, so you should plan to spend most of the day there. Some courthouses have child care services. Try to find out before you go to court, If they do not, try to leave your children with someone...
This is a common question with a complicated answer. Some people do make changes in their actions and the beliefs that underlie the violence. Such change takes a long period of time. And some people may not change, even if they attend a batterer intervention program.
All battering is dangerous; one push or shove could result in death. Battering increases in frequency and severity over time. Certain behaviors, actions and words by an abuser, however, indicate particular danger for you.