Intimate Partner Violence 2 - what should our response Be?
Hello Everyone,
How are we doing today? Thanks to everyone that has been reading my posts and following me generally.
I spoke about intimate partner violence about 5 days ago, when I introduced it and talked on physical abuse and some of the signs and symptoms. I really liked the feedback. We started a discussion on whatsapp about it and ladies gave their own perspective of the issue. They however wanted to know what could be done and how women in abusive relationships could protect themselves and how we could help a friend or loved one being abused.
I did some research and found some websites that deal with intimate partner violence. First of all, we should all find out if our relationships are healthy by clicking the link below and answering the following relationship questions.
http://www.loveisrespect.org/for-someone-else/is-my-relationship-healthy-quiz/
If your relationship is not healthy then what can you do? Experts talk on creating a safety plan. A safety plan is preparing in advance what you will do or steps you can take when your partner is abusing you. They include but are not limited to :
If you are the abuser, try and get help for yourself. There are better ways of handling anger or emotional problems than being violent.
Finally, we all can help prevent intimate partner violence by speaking against it. Teaching our sons and brothers and men in general that it wrong to be violent against women. The society needs to openly condemn it. Every person should be convinced of their self-worth and know that they deserve to be in a relationship based on respect, trust and equality.
Till my next post, stay well, promote healthy relationships and stay healthy pink.
Dr. Anire Oduko.
For more resources on this topic check out the following websites:
How are we doing today? Thanks to everyone that has been reading my posts and following me generally.
I spoke about intimate partner violence about 5 days ago, when I introduced it and talked on physical abuse and some of the signs and symptoms. I really liked the feedback. We started a discussion on whatsapp about it and ladies gave their own perspective of the issue. They however wanted to know what could be done and how women in abusive relationships could protect themselves and how we could help a friend or loved one being abused.
I did some research and found some websites that deal with intimate partner violence. First of all, we should all find out if our relationships are healthy by clicking the link below and answering the following relationship questions.
http://www.loveisrespect.org/for-someone-else/is-my-relationship-healthy-quiz/
If your relationship is not healthy then what can you do? Experts talk on creating a safety plan. A safety plan is preparing in advance what you will do or steps you can take when your partner is abusing you. They include but are not limited to :
- Having an emergency number you can call to help when things get out of hand. It may be your relative, friend or the police. It is good to have a code word you both have agreed on before time and what the code word means.
- Being economically empowered. It is important to be financially independent of your partner. As money is a tool abusers use to control people. Get a job, start a business, just try and get your own money so if you choose to leave the relationship you can stand on your own 2 feet.
- Try to get help. You can't deal with this on your own. Find out resources around you that help victims of domestic abuse. Speak to a lawyer and find out what is obtainable legally. Speak to friends and family you trust for help.
- Don't be afraid to separate from your partner or end the relationship or marriage if the abuse is more than you can take. Forget what society will say. You are better off single and alive than in an abusive relationship that could lead to your untimely death.
If you are the abuser, try and get help for yourself. There are better ways of handling anger or emotional problems than being violent.
Finally, we all can help prevent intimate partner violence by speaking against it. Teaching our sons and brothers and men in general that it wrong to be violent against women. The society needs to openly condemn it. Every person should be convinced of their self-worth and know that they deserve to be in a relationship based on respect, trust and equality.
Till my next post, stay well, promote healthy relationships and stay healthy pink.
Dr. Anire Oduko.
For more resources on this topic check out the following websites:
- Centre for Disease control and Prevention (CDC) https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/deltafocus/index.html
- www.loveisrespect.org
- www.vawnet.org
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