 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Please note that I am not a therapist or professional expert on abuse. Rather, I am a victim/survivor of abuse, and offer the following information through what I have learned and information I have gathered. |
|
|
| What exactly is physical abuse ? |
|
|
 |
|
| The following are definitive for physical abuse : - lack of other's physical comfort (i.e. walking too fast for a child to keep up; neglecting to remember to give someone a ride) - pinching - pushing - shoving - scratching - shaking - pulling hair - punching - forceful bruising - using any object to cause harm to another's body - breaking bones - twisting limbs - punching - denying someone food (nutrition)/hygiene resources/sleep - denying medical care to someone - any permanent injury - using weapons (knives, guns, drugs, animals etc.) - lastly, murder |
|
|
|
|
| But it may have been my fault.... |
|
|
|
|
|
It is absolutely not your fault. No one ever chooses to be physically denied or harmed.
Many times, victims may feel that they provoked or encouraged the abuse from another due their actions. But this is idea is completely false. Abusers abuse simply because of their nature and feeling they have a lack of control (thus seeking control through hurting another), and the victims are made to feel that they made the abuser angry or upset intentionally. Nothing someone does gives a person the right to harm them in anyway. |
|
|
|
|
Where can I seek help for healing from physical abuse ? |
|
|
|
|
|
There are many means of help for victims of physical abuse. Tori Amos' network RAINN (Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network) is completely confidential, absolutely free, and highly reputable. Her network has helped hundreds of thousands of victims since its formation in 1994. The 24/7 hotline help number is : 1-800-656-HOPE . The website is www.rainn.org .
Options for healing range widely in effectiveness for each person and include therapy/group therapy, keeping a journal, talking to loved ones, artistic self-therapy through painting/drawing/writing/music etc., communicating in survivor message boards on the internet etc. Doing an internet search will lead you to many sites providing information, numbers, other survivor stories and more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What to do if you are currently in an abusive relationship
- when any violence or threatening occurs, or if you are afraid, try to call 911
- if you have children, take them and try to get to a safe place
- if injured, please seek medical help or go to the Emergency Room
- if you are leaving the home of the abusive environment, try to gather all important documents together : birth certificates, insurance papers, car title, picture ID, bank documents/statements, social security cards, etc.
- try to have extra cash set aside in a safe place that others would not guess
- if you haven't told someone about the abuse, please tell an understanding friend or loved one that you can trust
- pack a set of clothes and shoes for you and your children, and leave them at a trustable neighbor's house/friend's house
- obtain a PROTECTION FROM ABUSE order
- decide that enough is enough, and you (and your children) do not deserve to live in fear
- call RAINN 24/7 at the toll free number 1-800-656-HOPE
|
|
|
|
The above are steps that are suggestive to take if you are in an abusive relationship. But it is understandable that these things are very much easier said than done. Many times, calling 911, leaving, or seeking family and friends for help is extrememly hard to do, especially if the abuser takes measures to try to ensure that you do not communicate with any outside sources. Please remember that noone deserves to be abused, and that it is possible to somehow gather strength and leave. |
|
|
|
Submit your survivor story and let others know that they are not alone. Email your story with a subject heading : abuse survivor , and we will add it. Please know that you can remain anonymous, and we will not post last names.
Email us at [email protected] |
|
|
|
Share your story |
|
Read other survivor stories |
|
|
|
wanna go back to the RAINN page |
|
|
translate the text on this page to another language using the box below |
|
|
|
|
|
|
wanna go home |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|