DOMESTIC ABUSE
By Moyosoreoluwa A.
Sadly, the phrase, “domestic violence”, has been trending on our timelines for the past few days. Let us take a few minutes to discuss what domestic abuse really entails.
According to the United Nations, Domestic Abuse , also called “domestic violence” or “intimate partner violence”, can be defined as a pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner. Abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person.
This includes any behaviors that frighten, intimidate, terrorize, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, injure, or wound a partner.
Domestic abuse can happen to anyone of any race, age, sexual orientation, religion, or gender. It can occur within a range of relationships including couples who are married, living together or dating. Domestic violence affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels, however women are mostly the victim.
Let us keep in mind that all abuses are not physical. Some abusers take pride in hurting emotionally, hurling abusive words at their partners publicly and privately, reducing their partner’s achievements to nothing and so on. There are various scenarios that we all can paint to figure out ways abusers dominate their victims.
Are you being abused by your partner?
Do you know someone currently going through domestic abuse?
Remember, you did not come to this life to suffer. No one deserves to be abused. Suffering and smiling does not guarantee your place in everlasting life. There is no reward for who suffer pass (don’t be brainwashed). The abuse is not your fault, do not try to blame yourself. You are a survivor.
You may have little control over the actions of others but what your reaction should be solely relies on you.
◦Surround yourself with loving people who believe and understand you.
◦Have a safe plan. (Involving but not limited to finances.)
◦Make the decision to leave and never look back. (No one can force you to leave, it is your decision to make.)
◦Take time to heal.
To everyone out there going through a form of abuse or the other, remember that there are people who genuinely love you and your worth is not tied to any person (man or woman).