October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which is a topic that must be acknowledged and talked about more, as it is a serious issue that occurs everyday. The statistics are unnerving; according to the CDC, intimate partner violence affects more than 12 million people per year. More than 1 in 3 women and more than 1 in 4 men in the United States have experienced physical/sexual violence or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime. Every minute in the US, 20 people are victims of domestic violence. According to the World Health Organization, 8,000,000 paid work days are lost every year by women because of the abuse perpetrated against them by current or former male partners. This loss is equivalent to over 32,000 full-time jobs. And 10,000,000 children are exposed to domestic violence annually.
Domestic violence affects millions of people each year, and includes physical abuse, stalking, manipulation, coercion, treats, isolation, non-stop texting, and so much more. If you feel afraid of your partner, wonder why they criticize you and put you down, or believe that you deserve to be hurt or mistreated, then you may be a victim of domestic abuse. The chart below from helpguide.org describes the signs that can help you or someone that you may know is in an abusive relationship.
You’re not alone in this, and there is help for people who are in abusive relationships. If you see yourself or others in your life in the chart above, then reach out for help. Talk to the resources below, or call us here (901) 306-5433 at the Wellness and Stress Clinic of Memphis. Talk to a friend, pastor, physician, counselor, or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit their website at http://www.thehotline.org/. We believe you, and we’re here for you every step of the way.
Local resources include:
Rape Crisis Center (901) 222 4350
Exchange Club Family Center (901) 276-2200
Family Safety Center of Memphis and Shelby County (901) 222-4400
Memphis Area Legal Services (901) 523-8822
Memphis Area Women’s Council (901) 378-3866
Memphis Child Advocacy Center (901) 525-2377
Memphis Police Department Domestic Violence Investigative Unit (901) 636-3741
Shelby County Crime Victims Services (901) 222-3950
Shelby County District Attorney General’s Domestic Violence Unit (901) 222-1485
Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Domestic Violence Unit (901) 222-4400
Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (901) 578-4371
YWCA of Greater Memphis (901) 725-4277
References:
https://www.breakthecycle.org/blog/it’s-national-domestic-violence-awareness-month