Take Back Your Voice
October is the month to speak out, step up, and support survivors against Domestic Violence.
Like I have said before, domestic violence and abuse does not discriminate against anyone, no matter where you come from, race, or status; it affects millions of women and men in this country and around the world. One in four women and one in nine men will experience domestic violence in their lifetime.*
Domestic violence and abuse come in many forms, from physical to emotional. All forms of abuse are worthy of our attention and need to be stopped.
Most people think physical abuse is much worse than emotional abuse, but emotional abuse is just as hurtful and, in some cases, it can be much more damaging long term. The emotional and psychological consequences of domestic abuse destroy a victim’s self-worth, confidence, and sometime their own rational thinking. This type of abuse can lead to anxiety and depression while making a victim feel helpless, disconnected, and alone.
If an abuser feels as if they are losing control of their victim, they may feel a need to do whatever it takes to maintain their position of power. In so many cases domestic abuse often escalates from verbal assault, control, and threats to some type of violence.
An abuser can dominate a victim’s life by taking away their independence leaving them to feel that they can’t make it without their abusive partner, and if they choose to leave, they will have nothing or no one. Some victims feel as if there is no way out of their horrific situation. I’m here to tell you there is more and you deserve more than the abuse you are experiencing. No one deserves to live with the pain of abuse.
Maybe it is time to face your truth if you are in an abusive relationship. We all have to start somewhere. Take the first step and get the help you need. National Domestic Violence Hotline. Through this hotline, an advocate can provide local direct service resources (safehouse shelters, transportation, casework assistance) and crisis intervention. Hotline: 800.799.SAFE. Once you get help and get out, you can start putting the pieces of your life back together again.
The effects of domestic violence and abuse can be extremely difficult to overcome. This is why I wrote Finding Your Voice: A Path to Recovery for Survivors of Abuse. I want to provide every survivor accessibility to healing no matter where they come from, live, or their economical status. I wish I would have had a book like Finding Your Voice when I was 24 years old after leaving my abusive husband and started on my own path toward recovery.
I feel the following Five Steps are the path to recovery I teach in Finding Your Voice:
Stepping out of Denial and getting the help you need. Contact National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800.799.SAFE
Discovering The Big 3 – self-acceptance, self-love, and self-respect. These are the foundation of the relationship you have with yourself.
Embrace and Change Your BAR – behaviors, actions, and reactions. Face your copying skills and your emotions.
Discovering who you are after abuse and manifest more of your desires into your life.
Embracing Happiness and Joy while letting go of the Happy Busters - guilt, shame, fear, anxiety, worry, and anger.
Build healthier relationship going forward through acceptance, love, respect, trust, communication, and boundaries.
My wish is that every victim becomes the strong survivor they were always meant to be. Take back your life and start healing the pain of your past.
Love,
Mannette