Recognizing Domestic Violence

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month!

Domestic violence crosses all ethnic, racial, age, national origin, sexual orientation, religious, and socioeconomic lines. Domestic violence can happen to anybody. In fact, studies suggest that one-fifth to one-third of all women will be physically assaulted by a partner or ex-partner during their lifetime. In heterosexual relationships, 95 percent of all victims are female; and 95 percent of all perpetrators are male. In same-sex relationships, domestic violence happens with the same statistical frequency as in heterosexual relationships. Find out how to recognize domestic violence by clicking here.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY) is always open.

Overcoming Domestic Violence: There is Hope!

Source for video

Amy Grant: Ask Me

I see her as a little girl
Hiding in her room
She takes another bath
And she sprays her mama's perfume

To try to wipe away
The scent he left behind
But it haunts her mind

You see, she's his little rag
Nothing more than just a waif
And he's mopping up his need
She is tired and afraid
Maybe she'll find a way
Through these awful years
To disappear

Ask me if I think there's a God up in the Heaven
Where did He go in the middle of her shame?
Ask me if I think there's a God up in the Heaven
I see no mercy, and no one down here's naming names
Nobody's naming names

Now, she's looking in the mirror
At a lovely woman face
No more frightened little girl
Like she's gone without a trace

Still she leaves the light
Burning in the hall
It's hard to sleep at all

'Til she crawls up in her bed
Acting quiet as a mouse
Deep inside, she's listening
For a creaking in the house
But no one's left to harm her
She's finally safe and sound
There's a peace she has found

Ask her how she knows there's a God up in the Heaven
Where did He go in the middle of her shame
Ask her how she knows there's a God up in the Heaven
She said His mercy is bringing her life again

She's coming to life again

The Cycle of Violence



The cycle can happen hundreds of times in an abusive relationship. Each stage lasts a different amount of time in a relationship. The total cycle can take anywhere from a few hours to a year or more to complete.

It is important to remember that not all domestic violence relationships fit the cycle. Often, as time goes on, the 'making-up' and 'calm' stages disappear.
For more information

Anyone can be a victim of domestic violence. If you are concerned about your relationship, please do not hesitate to call the YWCA's 24 Hour Hotline at 1-866-YES-YWCA.

October is a Month for Celebrating Woman's Issues!

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month!
Did you know:

• Every 2 minutes, someone in the US is sexually assaulted.
• 1 out of every 6 American women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape.
• About 2/3 of rapes are committed by someone known to the victim.
• Domestic Violence is the leading cause of injury to women between the ages of 15 and 44 in the United States.
• Every 9 seconds in the US a women is beaten, usually by her male partner.
• Between 15 and 25% of pregnant women are battered.
• 50% of homeless women and children in the US are fleeing Domestic Violence.
• 80% of children from homes where partner abuse occurs will become an abuser or a victim as an adult.

October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Did you know:

• Breast Cancer is the number one cause of death in Hispanic women.
• The risk of breast cancer increases as a woman grows older. The risk is especially high for women age 60 and older. Breast cancer is uncommon in women younger than age 35, although it does occur.
• Breast Cancer accounts for 1 in 4 of cancer diagnosis in women.
• The risk of developing breast cancer increases for a woman whose mother, sister, daughter, or two or more close relatives have had the disease. It is important to know how old they were at the time they were diagnosed.

Both of these issues are very important to women.

To find out more information on Domestic Violence go to: http://www.ywcancin.org/.
To find out more information on Breast Cancer go to: http://www.nbcam.org/.

2010 YWCA Walk a Mile

The YWCA Men's March Against Violence Against Women

I think the event was a success.  It's so great to see men standing up against violence.  There were some pretty great men there.  The top pledge raiser raised almost $3000.  Steve had a goal of $300 and as of today, he has raised $248 in pledges.

He even accessorized and dressed in red to match his shoes. It was a pretty cold morning, but I think the men had a good time anyway.

It's not too late to support him if you want.  Every little bit helps.  All the money goes to help women and children escaping domestic violence and sexual assault.  Last year the YWCA served almost 1400 women and children.  Many of the women are young, single mothers who have a high school diploma or some college education with little or no income.  These women come to YWCA with almost nothing and the YWCA helps them get back on their feet, so they can take care of their family in a safe environment.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

To support him follow the link.

Thank you so much to everyone that has supported him and YWCA so far.

Family Biggest Loser

My family is starting a "Family Biggest Loser" contest.  It should be fun.  Steve and I just bought an exercise bike from Sears a few weeks ago, so should really help us.  The bike was on sale, plus our discount, plus Friends and Family Night, so we got a good deal on it.  Steve has actually gotten up early and rode on the bike a little almost every morning since we got it.  We got it mostly because Steve is trying really hard to lower his cholesterol and our doctor wants him to lose about 50 pounds.  This contest should be even more encouragement for us.  We are pretty competive and so we really want to win.  Hopefully Kroger has fruits and veggies on sale this week.  We will be stocking up.  I'm not really a morning person, so I mostly ride it after work in the evening.  We put it in the living room, so we can ride it even while we watch TV.  :o)   
Hopefully all the Aunts, Uncles and cousins will get involved.  I have a pretty great family, so this should be fun.  The contest starts today and ends on December 24th, so I guess that means Thanksgiving will be more healthy this year.