Domestic Violence Awareness Month evolved from the first Day of Unity observed in October, 1981 by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The intent was to connect battered women’s advocates across the nation who were working to end violence against women and their children. The Day of Unity soon became a special week when a range of activities were conducted at the local, state, and national levels.

These activities were as varied and diverse as the program sponsors but had common themes: mourning those who have died because of domestic violence, celebrating those who have survived, and connecting those who work to end violence.

In October 1987, the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month was observed. That same year the first national toll-free hotline was begun. In 1989 the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month Commemorative Legislation was passed by the U.S. Congress. Such legislation has passed every year since with NCADV providing key leadership in this effort.

~ From the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence Website

Every year in the United States approximately 1.3 million women and 835,000 men are physically assaulted by an intimate partner.

Battering is the establishment of control and fear in a relationship through violence and other forms of abuse. The batterer uses acts of violence and a series of behaviors, including intimidation, threats, psychological abuse, isolation, etc. to coerce and to control the other person. The violence may not happen often, but it remains as a hidden (and constant) terrorizing factor.”

~ Uniform Crime Reports, Federal Bureau of Investigation, 1990.

Joining me today on Journey to Self was Diane Tegarden, a domestic abuse survivor and author of “Getting Out of Limbo: A Self Help Divorce Book for Women” and John Smith, Women’s Advocate, Volunteer Coordinator, and Community Educator for the YWCA Rock Co. in Janesville, Wisconsin.

Strategies and Tips from the Show:

• During the show John discussed some of the “red flags” to an abusive relationship.  Some of them include your partner being controlling, blaming others for their behavior, your partner wanting to know where you are going and who you are going to see while you are gone.
• Diane shared some important advice on setting up a safety plan for leaving an abusive relationship such as rebuilding relationship with friends, not telling anyone that you are leaving, setting up a P.O. Box to receive mail at, get medical histories, secure a locker where you can put away clothes and documents for when you leave.
• According to statistics from 2000, more than 3 women are killed every day by an intimate partner.
• There are several different types of violence including: emotional, verbal, and spiritual abuse.  Just because you are not getting physically beaten does not mean that it is not abuse.
• Children that witness are affected profoundly.  Males that witness abuse are 700% likely to be the abuser later in life.  Females that witness domestic violence are more likely to model the unhealthy relationship patterns that they saw growing up.
• Each one of us can help to stop domestic violence by getting education and information out to the public, law enforcement, health care professionals, etc.

Listen to this show

JTS Links:
Life By Design
Journey to Self on Blog Talk Radio

Guest Links:
FireWalker Publications, Inc (Diane’s Website)

(Click to buy)

Other information from the Show:
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Inclusivity Initiative for LGBTQ People (founded by Dr. P.B. Poorman who did research in the area of Domestic Violence in the LGBT communities.

A big thanks to Sarah Nygren and Elizabeth Linhart for allowing me to include some of their research for today’s show!!

Join us next week October 23rd @ 12pm cst/ 1pm est my guest Al Cole and I will be talking about relationships.

Until next time, enjoy the journey to self and everything in between.

Filed under: Show Notes, Upcoming shows