Domestic Violence - Look Before You Leap

Domestic violence is any kind of behaviour that a person uses, or threatens to use to control an intimate partner. The two key elements are threat and control. It can take different forms: physical, sexual, psychological, emotional and economic.

Physical - violent actions such as hitting, beating, pushing, throwing objects, and kicking. In many cases physical abuse becomes more frequent and severe overtime.

Sexual - includes any sexual acts that are forced on one partner by the other.

Emotional - undermining an individuals self esteem, constant criticism, insults, put-downs, and name-calling.

Psychological - includes a wide range of behavious such as intimidation, isolating the victim from friends and family, controlling where the victim goes. Making them feel guilty or crazy, and making unreasonable demands.

Economic - This includes limiting the victims access to family income, preventing the victim from working or forcing the victim to work, destroying the victims property, and making all the financial decisions.

Both men and women can be victims of domestic abuse. Approximately 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men over the age of 18 have been the victim of physical domestic violence, and almost 50% of sexes have experienced some form of domestic psychological aggression.

Women often stay with their abusers because of fear . They are afraid that the abuser will become more violent if they try to leave. Some fear that they will lose their children. Many believe they cannot make it on their own.

Abusive men come from all walks of life. They may be successful in their career and respected in their church and community. Abusive men often share some characteristics. They tend to be jealous, possessive and easily angered.

Many abusive men believe that women are inferior. They believe that men are meant to dominate and control women.

Abusive men may take a text from the bible and distort it to support their right to batter. They often use Ephesians 5:22 (wives should be subordinate to their husbands as to the LORD). To jusify their behaviour. This passage (v.21-23), however, refers to the mutual submission of husband and wife out of love for christ. It means that husbands should love their wives as they love their own body, as christ loves the church.

Abuse of men happens far more often than you might expect. It happens to men from all cultures and all walks of life regardless of age or occupation.

However, men are often reluctant to report abuse because they feel embarrassed, fear they won’t be believed, or are scared that their partner will take revenge.

Abusive women may verbally abuse you, belittle you, or humiliate you in front of friends, colleagues, or family, or on social media. They can be possessive, act jealous, or harass you with accusations of being unfaithful.

Singles are you getting the clue? Before you say "I Do" please check the "Can Do" list. Chances are you will get to know an abusive partner while dating except you blindly or Intentionally ignore his/her failings.

It's better to be single than to be in an abusive relationship or marriage! Stay Woke!