Domestic Violence: Why Doesn’t She Leave?

Sometimes I feel we have belabored the question, “Why doesn’t she leave?” But, it just seems this question will never go away. Quite personally, I find myself being annoyed and put off by the fact it is still asked so frequently, especially by those who have very little if any understanding of domestic violence. Victims30

Given enough time, a victim of domestic violence is almost certain to hear, “It was an accident.” That could easily be part of the honeymoon phase that occurs in abusive relationships and domestic violence. Most of us know by now that domestic violence is truly a matter of power and control, rather than anger management.30

During a conversation earlier this week, I was shocked and amazed to hear another person make the statement, “She just got what she deserved. She should have kept her legs closed.” At the time, we were discussing the incarceration of someone who had been found guilty of the double murder of his wife and her30

It’s difficult to celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa knowing there is a rise in domestic violence during the holidays. While many imagine sugar plum fairies dancing in their dreams, others are seeing stars from blows to their head. This “version” of Twas the Night Before Christmas gives us a true picture of what it’s really like to30

Headlines flashed across the nation involve George Zimmerman, domestic violence and guns. George Zimmerman has made the news once again, this time being accused of domestic violence. It is reported he held a shotgun to his girlfriend, threatened her, then forcefully threw her out of her own home. She had demanded he leave for fear30

Child sexual abuse is a very tough topic for law enforcement, judiciary, attorneys, social workers and advocates. The families who are personally confronted by child sexual abuse are put into a place where they will never be the same again. Now, add to child sexual abuse ending in murder of the precious little one, and30

Ongoing sexual assault in the military of our United States? Who knew? How long has this been occurring, and what’s being done to stop it? Our nation has felt vulnerable and abused over the past weeks with the Boston Marathon bombing. Now we have breaking news that Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Krusinski, Chief of Sexual Assault30

It is perhaps the most common topic raised by those who don’t understand domestic violence – why women stay in abusive relationships. I have even heard it said, “Well, she must like it, or else she’d just leave.” Really? Who enjoys being emotionally and verbally denigrated, abused and oftentimes battered or beaten? Women stay in abusive30

It is important we all reach a level of understanding domestic violence. Amazingly, in spite of the expansion of awareness, many are still asking, “What is domestic violence?” One definition is: A pattern of abusive behavior in an intimate or romantic relationship where one person chooses to control the relationship through the use of force,30

It can be helpful to keep a journal if you are a victim of domestic violence. If you decide to keep a journal about any domestic violence or partner abuse you experience, the first priority must be your safety. If you have an inkling of journaling on a computer that may be hacked, don’t do30