Domestic Violence

What the Signs Are and How to Get Help

Domestic violence is the best-kept secret and the most under-reported crime in America. Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women. It's also the single leading cause of homicide of women. Forty percent of women homicide victims are killed by their male partner or husband.

Abuse is a learned behavior. Many men batter because they were abused themselves as children or witnessed domestic violence in their homes. Low self-esteem and/or the belief that men are meant to dominate and control women are also reasons behind battering.

Why do women stay with men who batter and abuse them? Women stay because they have low self esteem, because they're afraid to leave, because they lack confidence in their ability to cope along or because they have the belief that they must "stand by their man." Many abused women also feel that they somehow deserve the abuse they're receiving.

Signs of Domestic Violence

• Injuries to the head, face, neck, breasts or abdomen
• Long-term or permanent injuries such as burns, loss of vision or hearing, bite and knife wounds and damage to joints

Common Behavior Traits of a Battered Woman

• Shy
• Fearful
• Embarrassed
• Anxious
• Passive
• Tearful

Are You Being Abused?

• When your spouse/boyfriend gets angry, does he hurt you physically?
• Does he prevent you from seeing your friends and family?
• Does he make you have sex against your will?
• Does he threaten you or yell at you?
• Does he sometimes make you feel worthless and powerless?
• Does he intimidate, berate or harass you verbally?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are in a cycle of abuse. The cycle of abuse is one of escalation, so it's critical that you seek help immediately.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

The Many Faces of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: How Communities, Families and Professionals Can Help

For some veterans, the war hasn't ended...For some children, the abuse hasn't ended...For some rescue workers, the disaster hasn't ended...For some victims, the sexual or domestic violence hasn't ended...

Opening keynote on September 27 is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is required for the full-day conference on September 28. 12 workshops to choose from! All events held at Eden Resort Inn, Lancaster PA

September 27, 6:30PM -- Opening Keynote by Dr. Sandra Bloom: "Developing Healthy Systems and Communities in a Traumatized World"

For more information: Go to scclanc.org or to ywcalancaster.org.

Conference Workshop preview:

Does your organization or agency work with survivors or trauma? Does it suffer from chronic stress? Do you sometimes feel you reenact trauma on a system level and among staff? If so -- you may be developing Organizational PTSD. And just as an individual suffering from PTSD will most likely not get well without appropriate treatment, neither will your organization.

Dr. Sandra Bloom will offer a workshop at the "Many Faces of PTSD" conference on September 27 you won't want to miss: "Organizational PTSD: Chronically Stressed Systems and Helpers"

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The Family Violence Resource Network will be holding their next meeting on October 17, 2007 at 10:00AM. This meeting will be held at the Samaritan Counseling Center. Call (717) 560-9969.