Paige Becker, Senior
Domestic violence occurs every 15 seconds of every single day; having awareness on the issue is a crucial step in stopping it. If you are aware, you can look out for warning signs and could help someone you know.
Domestic violence is defined as: “violent or aggressive behavior within the home, typically involving the violent abuse of a spouse or partner.” Here are some red flags to look out for if you think someone you know is being abused. The first sign that someone could be experiencing domestic violence is if their significant other is often rude to them in front of other people. The partner could make the insult come off as a “joke” so others will not think anything of it. The second sign is if someone is always worried that they will make their significant other mad at them. Many domestic violence victims blame themselves and think that they are the problem in the relationship. The third sign is if they are always defending their partners when the partner is rude to them. An example of this is “he’s just really stressed out right now” or “she didn’t mean that”.
The fourth sign that someone could be abused is if their partner is overly jealous and possessive. This includes them always needing to know where their partner is, who they are with, what they are doing, etc. The fifth sign is if someone has unusual bruises, cuts, or other markings, and their explanation of this seems unusual, they could be experiencing domestic violence. The sixth sign is if they do not hang out with friends or family anymore. Abusers can make their victims feel guilty about seeing other people. Lastly, the seventh sign could be sudden changes in personality, frequent anxiety, and/or depression. Domestic violence can happen to anyone, any gender or age. Do not ignore the signs if you see them.
The next step after being aware of the warning signs is knowing how to help a victim that you know. The most important thing you can do is be supportive of their decisions in the relationship. Also, make sure you let them know you are there for them to listen. When you listen to what they are saying, do not judge them. It will not help and could make them feel worse. Realize that the person is in a scary situation. You can not control what they do; only listen and offer advice. Sometimes it is hard to give advice in tough situations. One thing you can do is help them get involved with family and friends more, so they know they have love and support in their life. You could also offer to help them make a safety plan to prepare to leave the relationship. Another thing you could do is advise the person to reach out to resources that could help them if they feel trapped. Do not pressure the person, just offer. To find local support groups you can call 1-800-799-SAFE.
By looking out for warning signs and getting domestic violence victims the help that they need, you could change or even save someone’s life.
Works Cited
Gregory, Allison. "Domestic Abuse: How to Help Someone You Think Might Be at Risk." Theconversation.com, 2010–2020, The Conversation US, 5 Mar. 2020, theconversation.com/domestic-abuse-how-to-help-someone-you-think-might-be-at-risk-132279. Accessed 4 Oct. 2020.
Pelisek, Christine. "7 Warning Signs Someone Is the Victim of Domestic Violence." People.com, Copyright 2020 Meredith, 23 July 2019, people.com/crime/domestic-violence-warning-signs-someone-being-abused/. Accessed 4 Oct. 2020.
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