1 out of 2 girls growing up in Canada will be physically or sexually abused
A powerful public service announcement from the Canadian Women’s Foundation: http://www.
Author: Karen McAndless-Davis
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The Impact of Verbal Abuse:
A very powerful video about the impact of verbal abuse. Helena Bonham Carter lends her voice to this public service announcement:
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Abuse can happen to anyone. True or False?
This post is from ShamelessSurvivors.com: It doesn’t start off with a punch in the face or a knock down fight. It is a gradual desensitization. Pushing the limit just a little each time. A comment here. Criticism disguised as concern for you. Teasing in the uncomfortable zone. Testing you to see where the resistance is,…
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Abuse and Power
Abuse happens when there is an imbalance of power. It is impossible to understand abuse – when it happens and how it happens – without an examination of power. Sometimes the women I work with have done things they are ashamed of in their relationship. They have slapped their partner across the face or thrown…
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Did you know that sometimes “professional help” is not helpful?
Helping professional are well intentioned but sometimes for women experiencing abuse, that help is not helpful. In fact, sadly, sometimes the ‘help’ is harmful to women. How is this possible? Well, let’s think about the dynamics of abuse. Men who are abusive are motivated by a desire to have power and control over their partner….
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Have you ever thought, “If my partner hit me, I would leave”?
Have you ever thought, “If my partner hit me, I would leave”? We wonder if this is true. We know that women don’t find abuse acceptable, but a simple equation of abuse = leave ignores the complexity of most women’s lives. It is easy for a person to say this if they have never been…
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Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Domestic Violence Awareness Month is October. The purpose is to help people become AWARE of the various ways someone can be abused and not know it. When you love someone, you expect them to treat you with respect, courtesy, gentleness, patience, kindness, putting you first and most importantly, faithfulness. But some people are in relationships…
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How can you be a good support to a woman who has experienced abuse?
#5 Don’t be surprised that the abuse continues after separation. Men, who are abusive, will continue to abuse after separation. They will do this through any ties that the man and woman still have in common (eg. children, assets, the court process, pets, mutual friends etc.) Many women find the first year or two after…
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How can you be a good support to a woman who has experienced abuse?
#4 Be a listening ear and know that you need to be there for the long haul. It is very common that a woman will need months or years to put a plan in place that will lead eventually to a better life. As outsiders, we often hear women’s pain and want to do something…
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Why do I still love him?
Women often struggle with their feelings of love for their partner. Perhaps others have suggested that you are “crazy” for still loving him. We do not think you are crazy. We think you are having normal feelings that make a lot of sense, given your situation. When you first met your partner, he demonstrated a…
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How can you be a good support to a woman who has experienced abuse?
#3 Believe the woman. Lots of people will listen to the woman’s “side” and then the man’s “side” and decide that the truth must lie somewhere in the middle. Men who are abusive always minimize their abusive behaviour and often will out and out lie about their partners. Women who have been abused also tend…
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Is My Partner’s Problem Abuse or Addiction?
Sometimes women wonder if their partner’s problem is abuse or addiction. If you know your partner has an addiction, maybe you hope that if he gets clean and sober he will stop being so hurtful towards you. Unfortunately, women’s experiences have taught us that this is not likely the case. It is painful to consider…
