Transitioning Times

            This is the tagline for End Violence Against Women International’s new campaign, Start by Believing.  Besides the obvious (though apparently, not always obvious enough!) action of not committing rape, the most helpful thing we can do for survivors is to believe and support them when they come to us and ask for help.  It is traumatic enough to be victimized in the first place; rapists rob their victims of their peace of mind, sense of safety, and temporarily their control over their own body and choices.  However, it is equally painful and demeaning to have the bravery to tell someone your story and then be doubted, brushed off, or vilified for speaking up.  Not only does this skeptical response hurt the survivor, but it also allows the rapist to continue on free of consequence—and most importantly, free to rape again.             One common p...

Throughout the holiday season, family and friends gather at each other's homes, and you may have suspicions that someone you know may be the victim of domestic violence.  We would like to take this opportunity to share some information to help you. An abusive person may exhibit the following attitudes and behaviors: ·   Extreme jealousy; ·   Maintaining strict control over finances or appearance; ·   Setting limitations on partner’s ability to work, go to school, or have contact with friends and family; ·   Restricting the use of car or phone; ·   Putting partner down with insults and criticisms . Victims of abuse may: ·   Have unexplained injuries; ·   Have fear or anxiety about pleasing their partner; ·   Check in often with their partner to report where they are and what they are doing; ·   Receive frequent, harassing phones calls or text messages from their partner; ·   Talk a...