What I know for sure is that domestic violence won’t stop unless someone puts a break to it. It is likely to happen again so if you are a victim of domestic violence, it is best to find out what you have to do to survive. Report an abusive incident and seek help. You may fear that your partner will be even more brutal when he finds out that you’ve let others know about your situation. This is why there are a lot of individuals and agencies willing to support you, emotionally and legally.
If you are a victim of abuse and feel you are in danger from your abuser at any time or are already suffering from abuse, call 911 or your local police. The police have established a protocol for this type of abuse.
* If you are in danger when the police come, they can protect you.
* They can help you and your children leave your home safely.
* They can arrest your abuser when they have enough proof that you have been abused.
* They can arrest your abuser if a personal protection order or restraining order has been violated.
* When the police come, tell them everything the abuser did that made you call.
* If you have been hit, tell the police where. Tell them how many times it happened. Show them any marks left on your body. Marks may take time to show up. If you see a mark after the police leave, call the police to take pictures of the marks. They may be used in court.
* If your abuser has broken any property, show the police.
* The police can give you information on domestic violence programs and shelters.
* The police must make a report saying what happened to you. Police reports can be used in court if your abuser is charged with a crime.
* Get the officers names, badge numbers, and the report number in case you need a copy of the report.
* A police report can be used to help you get a personal protective order or restraining order.
One of the common problems police officers and sheriff deputies face is when a victim refuses to press charges against his/her abuser. If you are a victim, you need to realize that the police are not the enemy. Your abusive partner is the enemy! So, you need to be open and honest with the police, and you need to utilize the law on your behalf to see that you can be safe and free from abuse.
Most victims of domestic violence are scared to report an abusive incident. This is because they fear that their partner will later on find out they have reported it and will just increase his brutality. What they do not realize is that there are a lot of agencies and individuals willing to give a helping hand to whatever emotional and legal support you need. Victims must realize that help is there for them to ask.
Not wanting to leave the home you built is understandable. What’s not understandable is you prolonging your suffering. It’s certainly not fair, but if you are a victim of abuse, your safety is important. If the home you built is not a safe place for you and your children to stay, move away and find a safe place.
If you are a victim of abuse and have been physically hurt, get medical help, go to the hospital or your doctor. Domestic violence advocates (people to help you such as social services) may be called to the hospital. They are there to give you support and access to government agencies. You may ask medical staff to call one for you.
Medical records are important in grating you a personal protective order or restraining order. These records will show all the important information about your injuries. You must also inform those who you feel safe to know about who your abuser is.
The following are the special medical concerns all the victims of abuse should note:
* Sometimes you may not even know you are hurt.
* What seems like a small injury could be a big one.
* If you are pregnant and you were hit in your stomach, tell the doctor. Many abusers hurt unborn children.
* A victim of abuse can be in danger of closed head injuries. This is because their abusers often hit them in the head. If any of these things happen after a hit to the head, get medical care right away.
* Memory loss.
* Dizziness.
* Problems with eyesight.
* Throwing-up.
* Headache that will not go away.
If you are a victim of abuse, get a personal protection order or restraining order. It can protect you from being hit, threatened, harassed, or stalked by your abuser.
And to any of my readers who might be in a place of terror or fear right now, I want to tell you that you deserve to live a life free of that. You deserve happiness, love and kindness and to never live in fear. There’s hope. Truly, there is. There’s a way out, even if it means more (temporary) pain. You are stronger than you know. You are more amazing than you know. I know about the dark place you live in. I know about the fear and anger. But there is a world outside the darkness. And you can get there. Believe in yourself! You can get there!
Call 911, or call your local police or county sheriff department. Do this sooner than later! There is a brighter world waiting for you!
