Do you know where to go for help if you find yourself (or a friend) in an abusive relationship? Do you know how to recognize an abusive relationship? When I traveled to Long Island, New York, for Macaroni Kid's annual publisher meetup, one of our speakers was from a nonprofit serving victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in the local community called The Retreat. Now you might ask yourself, as I did at first, why in the world would an organization like this be asked to speak to a group of publishers whose main focus is family fun?
But, think about it for a second. According to The Retreat, "one in three women will experience abuse at some point in their lives." Over 90% of Macaroni Kid's readers are women. That means that one-third of you readers have suffered, are suffering, or will suffer from abuse. That is a LOT of people. The staff of The Retreat stood up in front of us and asked, "Do you know who serves victims of abuse in your community? Do you know where to send someone if they need help?" I admit that I did not. I had no idea, despite the fact that I read about abuse in women's and mom's Facebook groups every. single. day. Women confiding in Facebook groups where they feel safe enough to ask questions and tell their stories. Women who are clearly being abused, but don't recognize it as such, or know what to do about it.
The following information is super important for you to know, whether or not you, yourself, have ever been abused. You never know when you will encounter a friend, neighbor, coworker, family member, or a complete stranger who needs this information. So read it. Soak it in. Teach your kids about it. Bookmark this page. Share it. You may even find yourself looking in the mirror after reading this information. Don't hesitate. Get help now.
Also, remember that not all victims of abuse are women. It happens to approximately 1 in 4 men, too, and they can also find help here.
The following checklist, provided by The Retreat, may help you decide if you, or someone you know, is being abused.
Does your partner:
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you may be a victim of domestic violence. You are not to blame and you are not alone.
SafeHouse of Shelby County, Alabama, provided further information:
Dating Abuse Red Flags
Is someone you care about in an unhealthy relationship?
Five things you can say:
Five things you can do:
Local Resources:
Cape Cod Center for Women
Domestic Violence Counseling is available. Please contact our offices at 774-763-2222 for an appointment
http://www.capecodshelter.org/
Independents House Inc.
24 HOUR HOTLINE: 800-439-6507
http://independencehouse.org/
Main Office:
160 Bassett Lane, Hyannis, MA 02601
Additional Locations:
FALMOUTH: 220 Main St., 2nd Fl. Ste 200, Falmouth, MA 02540
ORLEANS: 5 Namskaket Rd. Unit 1, (enter on Childs Homestead), Orleans, MA 02653
PROVINCETOWN: 2 Mayflower Ct., Provincetown, MA 02657
Safe Harbor
(508) 790-2933
Department of Social Services, Cape & Islands Office
(508) 394-1325
(800) 352-0711
TTY: (800) 352-0711
32 Commercial Street, South Yarmouth MA.
Emergency assistance for children and youths in abusive or neglectful environments. Also voluntary parental support services.
For Emergency Shelter Services please call the
Safe Link statewide hotline: 877-785-2020
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