Domestic Violence Rears Ugly Head - Develop An Exit Strategy

I was doing some research on another topic the other day and ran across a snippet out of a newspaper that caught my eye. It talked about some of the reasons that domestic violence is on the increase. As if women didn't have enough to worry about in protecting themselves, now there is one more factor - the economy.

To quote the article "Domestic violence shelters across the country report the economy continues to significantly affect battered women and children. According to a national study, domestic violence shelters have reported a 78 percent increase in women seeking assistance since 2008.

The report also indicates 74 percent of victims stayed with an abusive partner longer because of financial issues, and 58 percent of shelters reported that abuse is more violent than before 2008."

I've always considered domestic violence to be a national disgrace for many reasons. First of all, it is the predominant crime against women. If you are a female under the age of 30, chances are you have been a victim of some sort of domestic violence or assaults. Those statistics are bad enough but then to make matters worse it seems like it doesn't get much publicity. I used to call it America's "dirty little secret."

"One out of three women report some form of physical or sexual abuse in their lives, most often a member of her own family."

It is an equal opportunity devastator of lives. It affects all races, creeds, income levels and no one, it seems, is immune to domestic violence.

If you are a victim of assaults yourself or know someone who is, perhaps a family member, a friend or coworker do yourself or them a favor and take some preemptive steps to protect yourself with some self-defense items for female self-defense; and in a worst-case scenario, develop an exit strategy, as it is called in the business world-a way to get out!

Getting out may be the hardest part for a variety of reasons. But there are ways! It is a question of how much abuse you're willing to tolerate.

There is public assistance available in the way of shelters. If you have any kind of network that surrounds you with people you love, talk to them and seek their help. Your church may be a good resource.

But whatever you do, arm yourself with some self-defense items to protect you and any children that may be involved. If they are legal in your state, get a stun gun designed for women. Pepper spray is legal in just about every state with some minor restrictions. In a perfect world you should have both a pepper spray and a stun gun. And whatever you do, have the police department phone number on your phone's speed dial.


Article Source: Dave Artman