DOMESTIC VIOLENCE (Continued)
Ms. Goldsmith offers her prescription for beginning to address a serious problem that is sometimes still not always acknowledged. "We need to give people permission to talk about this. We need to teach them about what's healthy and unhealthy so that they start seeing options. People grappling with this issue are terrified of being shunned, terrified of being blamed. But we have to start talking honestly to each other about this." It seems as if it's more than about time.
Know the Warning Signs of Domestic Abuse
1. You are frigtened or intimidated by your partner (including a family member or friend).
2. You find yourself being harshly criticized and judged for seemingly minor, daily behaviors.
3. You feel humiliated or degraded by your partner (due to name calling, insults, etc.). This can include violent verbal exchanges in which you are made to feel less than, and demeaned as a person.
4. You often give up your opinions or feelings because you are afraid of your partner's reaction.
5. You apologize and make excuses -- to yourself and others -- for your partner's behavior.
6. Your partner makes threates to withhold money, resources or other items of special importance to you (favorite or sentimental memorabilia, pets, access to children, etc.).
7. You have been forced or pressured into having sexual relations.
8. You have been isolated from seeing or talking to friends or family members. While this may not seem like isolation to the outside world, you may be holding serious secrets and feel detached emotionally from others, including those to whom you otherwise feel close.
9. Your partner frequently calls, or in other ways checks up on your whereabouts and activities; your partner shows signs of extreme jealousy.
10. You experience a pattern of violence in your relationship (instances of uncontrolled anger, throwing or breaking things; being hit, kicked, shoved or restrained).
11. You feel the need to explain away, ignore or cover up injuries received from your partner.
SPECIAL REPORT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
LBJL March 2014 | www.lbjewishlife.com