February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month.
Many of you remember the tragic death of University of Virginia Lacrosse Player Yeardley Love who was murdered by her boyfriend a few years ago. Her family founded joinonelove.org in her honor, a non-profit dedicated to ending relationship violence through education and technology. I dedicated my book to Yeardley Love and four other young women in college who tragically lost their lives to uneccessary violence.
Domestic Violence is an epidemic in this country.
Thankfully, the laws are starting to get really tough on the offenders. As women, we need to take responsibility, as well. Learning to recognize abusive behavior before you get in a situation that you can’t get out of is a great place to start. Our country is a world leader in cutting-edge programs, shelters and organizations for women who are victims of domestic violence. But in order to get help, you need to understand the definition of Domestic Violence and how to recognize signs or behavior so you do not become a victim.
One of the best educational organizations in the area of domestic abuse is the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. They have defined what battering is and the different forms it takes.
Hey Batterer, Batterer.
Battering is a way for a person to establish power or control over another person through fear and intimidation. This can include the threat or use of violence. The batterer (or abuser) believes that he is entitled to control another. Assault, battering and domestic violence all are crimes.
Domestic abuse can take many forms. It may include emotional abuse, economic abuse, sexual abuse; using children, threats, intimidation and power. Women are the most common victims of this violence, but elder and children abuse also is prevalent.
Physical Battering—The abuser’s physical attacks or aggressive behavior can range from bruising to murder. It often begins with what is excused as trivial contacts which escalate into more frequent and serious attacks.
Sexual Abuse—Physical attack by the abuser often is accompanied by, or culminates in sexual violence wherein the woman is forced to have sexual intercourse with her abuser or take part in unwanted sexual activity.
Psychological Battering—The abuser’s psychological or mental violence can include constant verbal abuse, harassment, excessive possessiveness, isolating the woman from friends and family, deprivation of physical and economic resources and destruction of personal property.
The most important thing to remember about battering is that it escalates. It often starts with behavior like name calling, violence in the victim’s presence (like punching a fist through a wall in anger) and/or damaging objects or pets. It may escalate to restraining, pushing, slapping, and/or pinching. The batterer also might throw in a little punching, kicking, biting or tripping. Sexual assault and throwing the victim around might come into play, as well. Finally, the behavior may become life-threatening: choking, breaking bones or using weapons.
According to the American Medical Association, Between two and four million women every year are battered by their spouse or partner.
Red Flags
Signs often occur before actual abuse and can serve as red flags, or warnings before actual abuse starts.
1. Did he grow up in a violent family? People who have been abused as children or in homes where one parent beats another have grown up learning that violence is normal behavior.
2. Does he tend to use force or violence to solve his problems? A guy who gets into fights, likes to talk tough and has a quick temper is likely to act that way toward his wife and kids. Does he punch or throw things when he gets upset? Does he overreact to problems or frustration? Is he violent toward animals? Does he have a criminal record? (That one is an obvious beacon of warning). Any or all of these behaviors may be a sign of a person who resolves dissatisfaction or aggravation with violence.
3. Does he abuse alcohol or other drugs? There is a strong link between violence and problems with drugs and alcohol. If he refuses to admit or accept that he has a drug dependency or alcohol problem and refuses to get help, DO NOT think you can change him.
4. Does he have strong traditional ideas about what a man should be and what a woman should be? Look, this isn’t the 1950’s anymore; marriage is a partnership, not a dictatorship. Does he think a woman should stay at home, take care of her husband and follow all his orders and direction? Does he prohibit expression of ideas or concerns? Do you feel like a prisoner in your own home? This mindset leads to dysfunction and destruction.
5. Is he jealous of your other relationships? Not just other men that you may know, but also with your women friends and family. Does he keep tabs on you? Does he want to know where you are at all times? Does he not let you socialize with your friends without him coming along? Does he isolate you at his side constantly? Remember: Possessiveness leads to aggressiveness.
6. Does he have access to guns, knives or other lethal instruments? Does he threaten to use weapons against people to get even? Does he have a fascination with guns or other types of weapons? (A guy with a healthy fascination with cars or sports is a better bet).
7. Does he expect you to follow his orders or read his mind? Does he become unusually angry if you do not fulfill his every wish (you are not “I dream of Genie”), or if you cannot anticipate his every want and need?
8. Does he go through extreme highs and lows? This behavior can seem as if he’s almost two different people; really sweet and kind at one time and extremely cruel or violent at another.
9. When he gets angry, do you fear him? Do you find that you feel as if you are walking on eggshells around him? Do you always do what he wants you to do rather than what you want to do? Does a major part of your life revolve around not making him angry?
10. Does he treat you roughly? Is he physical with you if you do not do what he wants? Does he lash out at you if he is frustrated? Shoving, pushing, or kicking is considered rough treatment.
If the guy you’re involved with has any or all of these traits, reconsider the relationship before it goes any further. It’s up to you to set standards for yourself. While the wild, bad boy might be attractive and sexy in Hollywood movies, in the real world they lead to nothing but trouble and heartache. Set higher expectations for men whom you have relationships with, and you’ll be surprised at the number of nice guys you’ll attract!! Remember: there are a lot of fish in the sea…pick a good one-it could save your life.
Read more posts by Kathleen Baty, author, journalist, motivational speaker and CEO of SafetyChick Enterprises.
