Take A Stand! Against Family Violence Family Awareness

What does family violence mean to you?

Why do people turn to violence?

One in four people has been, or is being, abused. Myths:True or False

A violent person has a mental illness. Myths:True or False

Family violence is usually caused by alcohol misuse. Myths:True or False

Certain attitudes cause people to behave violently. Myths:True or False

People that are abused like to be abused. Myths:True or False

There is no excuse for violence. The person responsible for it is the one who inflicts it. Myths:True or False

Types of Violence  Emotional abuse  Psychological abuse  Neglect  Financial exploitation  Destruction of property  Injury to pets  Physical abuse  Sexual abuse  Homicide  Criminal harassment (stalking)

 Pushing or hitting someone  Throwing or breaking objects  Punching the wall  Kicking the door down  Mistreating an animal  Abuse that involves actions… Physical Abuse

 Yelling, insulting, reprimanding for little things  Making threats  Criticizing  Giving orders  Humiliating  Abuse you can hear… Verbal Abuse

 Not letting the person have money  Controlling the person’s access to money  Preventing the person from working  Not letting the person know about household income or how it is spent  Abuse that makes a person dependent… Economic Abuse

 Conjugal rape  Denying any physical contact or sign of affection out of revenge  Sexually degrading the person  Harassing the person  Abuse that affects intimacy… Sexual Abuse

A common pattern is: Psychological to verbal Verbal to economic Economic to sexual Sexual to physical Homicide/suicide Escalation of Violence

Tension building The Cycle of Violence Acute violent incident Justifying and blaming Honeymoon

Cycle of Violence The more the cycle repeats itself, the more frequent and severe the violent incidents become.

A portrait Child who was abused or witnessed abuse Believes in traditional gender roles Rigid and impulsive Blames others Socially isolated Those who Abuse Underlying reasons Emotional dependence Low self-esteem A need to feel safe, to control

A portrait Child survivor of abuse or witness Believes in traditional gender roles Tendency to excuse, downplay Socially isolated Low self-esteem The Survivor of Abuse Underlying reasons: Love and hope Guilt and shame Family and social pressures Dependence and fear

Physical impact: Visible physical injuries, scars, loss of appetite, sleep disorders, headaches, stomach problems, respiratory problems, fatigue, various health problems Impact on the Survivor of Abuse

Psychological impact: Fear, sadness, shame, guilt, powerlessness, loss of self-esteem and self-confidence, stress, anxiety, loss of personal identity, dependence, broken relationships with loved ones, isolation, depression, and suicide Impact on the Survivor of Abuse

–Depression –Loss of self-esteem –Legal problems –Problems at work –Possibility of retaliation by the person who is abused –Continuity of the violence Impact on the Person who Abuses

Take A Stand Against Family Violence Provide support Refer Other ways to become involved? How Can You Help?

Respect their decision Make sure they understand the risks Be supportive Make sure they will be safe Put them in touch with available resources When a Person who is Being Abused Decides to Leave

Respect their decision Tell them you are there for them Find out how you can stay in touch with them Develop a safety plan with them Tell them about available resources When a Person Being Abused Decides to Stay

Respect what they’re going through Respect what they say Respect their pace Remember Establish trust Ensure confidentiality Empower the person being abused

Where Can You Get Help ?

Insert local MFRC number, website, etc. Take a Stand! Make the Call! Where Can You Get Help?