Domestic Violence Awareness Month is designed to unify women and men across the world who have been victims of domestic violence. It is important to recognize that domestic violence impacts millions of people, and it’s not only women who are victims; many men suffer domestic violence as well. According to the Report on Child Abuse and Neglect and Domestic Abuse in the Military for Fiscal Year 2022; 8,307 of incidents that were reported to Family Advocacy Program were founded to meet criteria for domestic abuse.

The word “violence” can come across to some as explicitly meaning physical abuse which can make it hard for people to either come forward and get help or to even identify that this may be happening in their relationship or to a loved one or friend. The signs generally appear slowly over time, thus making it more challenging to notice or perhaps easier to brush off with the day to day business of life. They can even come across as the feeling that your partner just cares really strongly about you and what you do because they love you so much.

Signs You Are In An Abusive Relationship
A lot of people do not realize that they are in an abusive relationship. Here are some of the signs that you could be in an abusive relationship that you need to get out of…

Your partner sexually or physically abuses you. If they ever make you have sex with them when you don’t want to, hit you, shove you, or push you, this is domestic abuse.

Your partner threatens you or your family.

Your partner puts your down. They attack your capabilities, mental health, looks, or intelligence. They blame you for their violent outbursts.

Your partner is jealous. They may isolate you from your family or friends or they may accuse you of not being faithful.

Your partner is possessive. They may check up on you all of the time and they may get angry if you hang out with certain people.

Your partner has strangled you, beat you, or hit you in the past.

Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse includes verbal abuse, controlling behavior, intimidation, isolation, shaming, blaming, name-calling, and yelling. Just because you don’t have bruises on your skin does not mean you are not being abused. A lot of women and men suffer from emotional abuse, and it is no less destructive. Unfortunately, emotional abuse is often overlooked or minimized, even by those experiencing this.

Emotional abusers look to chip away at your feelings of independence and self-worth. You can end up feeling like you do not have anything without your abusive partner or that there is no way out of your relationship. The scars of emotional abuse run deep, and they are very real!

Financial abuse is a subtler form of emotional abuse. Some examples of this include:

• Taking your money or stealing from you
• Sabotaging your job – calling constantly or making you miss work
• Preventing you from choosing your own career or working
• Restricting you to an allowance
• Withholding basic necessities, such as shelter, medications, clothes, and food
• Making you account for every penny you spend
• Withholding credit cards or money
• Rigidly controlling your finances

How To Observe Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Speaking Up If You Think Someone Is Being Abused

There are a number of different ways that you can observe Domestic Violence Awareness Month. One option is to spread awareness about domestic violence, including the impact it has on people and how to spot the signs. If you think that someone you know is being abused, it is important to speak up. A lot of people worry that it is none of their business, yet you could save a person’s life by speaking up. It’s better to speak up, even if you’re wrong, rather than saying nothing at all. Reports can be made to the Family Advocacy Program at 701-723-5096 or by contacting Security Forces.

Get Involved

The IPPW has put together several activities through the month of October to promote the support and education of Domestic and Interpersonal Violence.

October 18th @ the Chappel Annex from 1200-1300 we will be hosting a Lunch & Learn with Domestic Violence Crisis Center.
For victims seeking justice and holding offenders accountable, emotional closure doesn’t occur when the court process is finished, and the jail door slams shut. Sometimes there is no jail door, and the offender continues through life without consequence. This workshop will illustrate the ways in which victims can navigate the emotional highs and lows that come with working through the criminal justice system. Techniques on how to assist victims through the process of recovering from trauma while they simultaneously experience the cold realities of the justice system will also be highlighted.
Space is limited registration requested.

October 16 @ 1830 and October 26 @ 1700 Ms. Donita Theiler will be leading “Movement for Meaning Yoga” at the Base Fitness Center.

References: OCTOBER IS NATIONAL DOMESTIC / INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH