DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOLIDAY SAFETY TIPS

“Sometimes Christmas doesn’t make us feel the way that we think it should. A song says, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” but often we feel sad, isolated or just plain stressed out.” -Excerpted from the booklet, “Finding Peace at Christmas”

‘Tis the season to be jolly,” according to the lyrics of a popular holiday tune. 

But, for countless Americans across the country, Xmas time is clouded by depression, isolation, sadness, and even pain.  

Particularly, for victims of domestic violence. Everyday situations and simple things can escalate or spiral out of control.

Unfortunately, the stress of the holiday season, unmet expectations and increased alcohol consumption can serve as triggers for further abuse.

Don’t become another statistic. 

Read and heed the following tips to stay safe and sane during the holiday season.

1. LIMIT YOUR ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION AND YOUR EXPOSURE TO PEOPLE WHO TYPICALLY CAN’T HANDLE THEIR LIQUOR WELL.

 This may seem simple, but it’s too often overlooked. Alcohol is known to lower inhibitions and compromise people’s judgment. “Better safe than sorry.”

2. HAVE YOUR PHONE WITH YOU AT ALL TIMES (CHARGED) OF COURSE.

3. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SAFTEY APPS.

According to the site Cleveland.com, “You have a smart phone, consider downloading a safety app, like Aspire, for women, many of which have been designed to automatically alert your support network if you are in danger.”

4. STRIVE NOT TO ENGAGE IN CONFRONTATIONS OR HEATED ARGUMENTS.

Depending upon the situation, silence can be an effective strategy for peace and safety. 

5. DON’T ISOLATE YOURSELF FROM FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

Not only can they help to keep you in “good spirits,” they can become important allies for protection, support, and well-being.

6. PRAY.

For believers and those in the faith community, prayer offers solace, comfort, and an indestructible shield during times of crisis.

ADDITIONALLY, HERE ARE SOME TIMELY TIPS OFFERED BY
CLEVELAND.COM THAT ARE WORTH CONSIDERING AND IMPLEMENTING:
http://www.cleveland.com/court-justice/index.ssf/2014/12/8_tips_for_domestic_abuse_vict.html

ON A FINAL NOTE…
In this season of “giving,” we at IMGF hope you’ll remember us in your charitable donations throughout the holiday season and in 2017.
Your generosity, (through tax deductible contributions) helps to provide needed resources and programs to those in crisis situations, and saves lives.
We couldn’t do this without you.
Thank you for your support and prayers throughout the year.
From our door to yours, we wish you peace, blessings, and the joy of the season!
We hope you’ll rejoin us in 2017 for new resources, materials and events regarding domestic violence.

“BECAUSE THE ROAD TO SAFETY SHOULD NEVER BE A DEAD END.”

THOUGHTS OF THANKS

---“Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.”

It’s been a tough year and a tough economy for many…

Cost of living increases.

Major retailers, businesses and restaurants closing down forever. 

Police wars. 

 Political upheaval. 

Pandemonium.

All contributing to a climate of doubt, fear, stress and uncertainty;

no matter where on this globe you hang your hat and call “home”.

Add to this the untimely deaths of entertainment legends and celebrities like Prince, Muhammad Ali, Gene Wilder, and Herb Kent (to name a few).

In the midst of the madness, there's STILL so much to be thankful for. 

So many blessings to embrace.

In fact, a recent study conducted by Baylor University, reports that individuals that found more meaning in their lives felt a greater sense of satisfaction, and that having gratitude yields more happiness than "possessing" things.

Consider this during the Thanksgiving holiday season: Even though your bank account may not be “full” no doubt your stomach will be.

Yet countless Americans will be without a turkey dinner, or a table to put their feet under to call home, or the love of family, or good health that allows them to function independently.

Can I get an Amen?

So this year, why not focus less on all the things you don’t have, and focus more on God’s abundant blessings? 

Or devote that same energy to making things better for others. 

One person really can make a difference.

THINGS YOU CAN DO…

 Donate to a Domestic Violence charity. 

 Volunteer at a food pantry or soup kitchen. 

 Start a coat drive in your area.  

 Mentor to the youth in your community that may need guidance.

 Visit the elderly and sick in nursing homes.

 Become active in your church.

       It’s never too late to make a new start. To live in gratitude.

      To enrich others.

IN CLOSING…

Remember, no matter who runs this country, we should always be mindful of 

“Who is the head of our lives.”

“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

From our door to yours…

 We wish you a blessed, bountiful, beautiful, safe Thanksgiving.

We are “thankful” for your ongoing support and prayers. 

 "BEACUSE THE ROAD TO SAFETY SHOULD NOT BE A DEAD-END!"

The Forgotten Victim-When the victim of relationship violence is a man Part three

Why do we wait until something tragic happens to move on an issue or make changes when we have known all along that there is a problem there? By WE I mean the lawmakers, state and local government, the mayor, city council, police etc.!
Why did 16 people need to die before the state decided to look into the licenses and inter working of the hot air balloon business? Why did five police officers in Dallas need to die because the Dallas police department was so ill equipped, that they were out gunned by one man, before it was determined that the officers need better equipment with which to protect themselves and the public; and that they need a raise in pay because their lives area worth much more than $45,000 dollar a year (rookie salary). WHY?
Why will another young man need to die before the lawmakers and judges can see that a woman can be as deadly as a man when it comes to domestic violence? Just this past Monday in Graham NC a 32-year-old man was shot by his girlfriend, (so yes it does happen). I have been a victims’ advocate for more than a decade, and I know that a women is three times more likely to be the victims in a domestic violence’s cases than a man. Does that mean that we should look the other way and that it is okay for the victim to be male since it doesn’t happen that often?
We have looked the other way from women being murdered and abused my their intimate partner for one hundred years and we are only just starting to pay attention to what is happening to women and children behind the closed doors of a home where there is abuse. But for the male victims, we as a country and a community are not looking at all. BECAUSE we have decided that it is impossible for a man to be the victim of domestic violence. So we ignore the problem (like we once did with women), the cries for help, the lack of support in police and the court systems and sit back comfortable in the belief that the man can fix it on his own.
News flash, HE CANNOT!
Did you know that in the state if Texas where we live, that men have no legal rights to their children if they were never married to the mother and they don’t have a court ordered custody plan in place?  So if he cannot afford a decent lawyer he is screwed!  To rub the salt all the way into his wounds, don’t let her accuse him of any wrongdoing. Innocent until proven guilty does not apply here.
 He will need to prove to the court and CPS that her accusations are false, before he can see his child. The system (justice) is not set up to support a male victim! And no, legal aid will not be a help to him because like most programs for poor people, they are under funded and under staffed and the child will likely be leaving college before the father can spend time with him or her before the legal aid system can get around to his case. Not hating on legal aid just stating the sad facts! Okay maybe a little exaggeration here!
In my next installment I will list what few resources there are and how to protect yourself if you are male victim of domestic violence.

“BECAUSE THE ROAD TO SAFETY SHOULD NOT BE A DEAD END-FOR ANYONE!

BIG MOMMA DIDN'T TELL ME!

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Heres to your health and healing!

Darlene Greene-Barree
Executive Director
Ina Mae Greene Foundation-For My Sisters