There are numerous organizational awareness groups. Some are: Domestic Violence, Heart Disease in Women, Breast Cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, M.A.D.D., etc. People generally show concern and interest in these and other causes. Some people even get involved and support one cause that has made an impact on their life or on someone they know.
Did you know that according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Mayo Clinic, the Top 7 leading causes of death among women are:
- Heart Disease
- Cancer (Breast, Lung, Skin, and Colorectal)
- Stroke
- Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Accidents (Motor Vehicle Crashes)
- Type 2 Diabetes
Where’s Domestic Violence on the list? Is Domestic Violence still such a hush, hush topic, that if no one talks about it than it doesn’t exist? Is it because Domestic Violence isn’t something that doctors and scientists can cure or provide treatments for, like heart disease and cancer?
Did you know…
- “Every single day 4 women are killed in domestic violence situations.”
- “Over the course of an average year in twenty-first-century America, more than 1,400 women will be murdered at the hands of an abuser.”
- “1 in every 3 women are affected by domestic violence in their lifetime.”
- “1 in every 3 women dies from heart disease.”
- “1 in 30 women die from breast cancer.”
- “Nearly five times as many women (200,000) will die from heart attacks alone this year, than will die from breast cancer.”
These statistics are from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease, and from Glamour Editor at Large, Liz Brody’s article, “Relationship Violence: The Secret That Kills 4 Women a Day”.
Domestic Violence does kill. It kills women, teenage girls and adolescent girls, as well as families and society. It is more than women being murdered, beaten, and sexually assaulted. It goes much farther. Domestic Violence kills women’s spirits; cripples their confidence; makes them question their own reality; and can even make them physically ill. Women are beaten down to the point of worthlessness and submission. They feel empty and lost. They are nothing. They are invisible.
Domestic Violence does exist. It is a reality, whether or not people talk about it. It affects everyone in society, not just the survivor, even future generations. It is a silent epidemic.
Domestic Violence has no easy cure. It’s more abstract rather than concrete. It goes much deeper and way beyond the typical doctor and scientist approach for treatment. It’s very intricate. But, that doesn’t mean domestic violence doesn’t exist or isn’t a real issue. It just means it’ll be harder and take more effort on everyone to help fight and put an end to domestic violence.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Show your support by simply wearing the color purple throughout the month of October. Help Stop the Violence! Speak up and speak out! Get Involved! Get Educated! Together, everyone can make a difference!
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