It’s horrible to think about, terrifying to live through, and needs to be talked about.
As you well know, I do NOT shy away from talking openly about difficult subjects.
The University of Utah is holding SafeU Month, where there will be dozens of opportunities to engage in safety awareness, education and training opportunities on campus. See what’s happening throughout the month here.
They are stating that “safety is a culture” and they are right.
They launched the month by publishing a list of resources, trainings, actions, and library book list for students, faculty, and the general public.
On it, they included You Are Not Alone, my collection of 56 deeply personal stories from women and men around the world of their experiences with sexual assault, abuse, and harassment.
I am honored and grateful that the University of Utah stocks my book and encourages it as a resource for those who need it.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, there are help and resources at both the state and federal levels in the U.S.
Federal:
- National Domestic Violence Hotline— 1–800–799–7233 or TTY 1–800–787–3224 — Secure online chat at http://www.thehotline.org/what-is-live-chat/
- National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline— 1–866–331–9474 or TTY 1–866–331–8453 — Secure online chat at http://www.loveisrespect.org/get-help/contact-us/chat-with-us or text “loveis” to 22522
- National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN) — 1–800–656–4673 Choose #1 to talk to a counselor — Secure online private chat at https://ohl.rainn.org/online/
- Stalking Resource Center — Access online resources to learn things you can do if you or someone you know is being stalked
- National Center for Victims of Crime — 1–855–4-VICTIM (1–855–484–2846)
- The National Resource Center on Domestic Violence provides a wide range of free, comprehensive and individualized technical assistance, training and resource materials. Find them online at www.nrcdv.org and www.wavnet.org or call 1–800–537–2238.
- The National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center, Inc. (NIWRC) is a Native nonprofit organization that was created specifically to serve as the National Indian Resource Center (NIRC) Addressing Domestic Violence and Safety for Indian Women. Go to www.niwrc.org or call 855–649–7299
State:
Each state is different as to what they offer in resources.
- Here is a list of resources by state put together by the Office on Women’s Health of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
- Here is a list of resources from FindLaw for agencies and organizations that provide assistance for victims of domestic violence.
Signs of an abusive relationship:
If your partner is isolating you from family and friends, has anger issues, is controlling, or physically harms you or threatens to harm you or the people/things you love, please get help and get away safely. Here is a list of signs to look for to determine if you are in an abusive relationship.
And remember, physical violence is never “just one time.” It will get worse. Be strong.
- Tells you that you can never do anything right
- Shows extreme jealousy of your friends and time spent away
- Keeps you or discourages you from seeing friends or family members (isolation)
- Insults, demeans, or shames you with put-downs
- Controls every penny spent in the household
- Takes your money or refuses to give you money for necessary expenses
- Looks at you or acts in ways that scare you
- Controls who you see, where you go, or what you do
- Tells you what to wear and how you should look
- Prevents you from making your own decisions
- Tells you that you are a bad parent or threatens to harm or take away your children
- Prevents you from working or attending school (isolating you)
- Destroys your property or threatens to hurt or kill your pets
- Intimidates you with guns, knives or other weapons
- Pressures you to have sex when you don’t want to or do things sexually you’re not comfortable with
- Pressures you to use drugs or alcohol
- Threatens to kill you or someone close to you
- Throws things or punches walls when angry
- Yells at you and makes you feel small
- Keeps you from eating, sleeping, or getting medical care
- Locks you in or out of your home
Be safe, always.