During a domestic violence training homework assignment, I had to select a newspaper article regarding abuse and I had to identify the language used to describe the kinds of abuse that was described and based on what I know about Domestic Violence, I had to write about how the reporter that wrote the article, covered the story; I chose Regina Medina's article, Murdered Woman's Diary Tells of Fear".
I feel that she did a good job with the article and that the article provided accurate warning signs. I also feel that more information could have been provided about Domestic Violence, as well as resources and hotline numbers for individuals in similar situations that are looking for a safe way out.
The article, with the excerpts of Lynette's diary was indeed an eye opener, and a clear warning that she was in danger, unfortunately, she didn't have time to move away from what she perceived was a life threatening situation and that bothers me because too many woman/men are in similar situations and (some) don't know about the help that is available to them and (some) are too afraid to act on what they (know) and the fear keeps them paralyzed, stuck in an unhappy and dangerous situation.
As a survivor of Domestic Violence, my objective is to use the article as an educational tool to educate our community, our churches, our schools, the victims and their abusers about the warning signs of Domestic Violence and provide the help and support that both the abuser and the abusee need.
Surprisingly, many people don't know about Domestic Violence or that men are victims of Domestic Violence too and sadly, those that do, choose not to get involved and that includes, (not all) but some of our churches, some of our schools, some of our communities and some of our neighborhoods, etc. but we proudly say that this is "The City of Brotherly Love!"
If this is "The City of Brotherly Love", why do we live cowards, sit back and look the other way because it's not our business, it's not our daughter, it's not our son, it's not our grandchild? It is our business and it is time for the citizens of Philadelphia to stand up and make some noise because statistics show that local Domestic Violence programs reach approximately 15,000 survivors of domestic violence each year.
Statistics also show that 1 in 3 women have experienced a physical assault by an intimate partner during adulthood and when this occurs, what happens to the children? Innocent children are traumatized by Domestic Violence every day and we "The City of Brotherly Love", wonder why so many of our children are displaying negative behavior problems in school, wake up Philadelphia, this Domestic Violence Awareness Month!
I strongly believe that this is a topic that needs to be broadcast, on the radio, on television, in the newspapers and on every billboard in the city because every day, men, women, boys and girls are being victimized by of Domestic Violence and it's time to break the silence!
Will you help me make some noise?
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