October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Domestic violence is best understood as a pattern of abusive behaviors -- including physical, sexual, and psychological attacks as well as economic coercion -- used by one intimate partner against another (adult or adolescent) to gain, maintain, or regain power and control in the relationship. Batterers use of a range of tactics to frighten, terrorize, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, often injure, and sometimes kill a current or former intimate partner.

What can I do to get help for myself?
Through the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE [7233] or TTY 1-800-787-3224), help is available to callers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Hotline advocates are available for victims and anyone calling on their behalf to provide crisis intervention, safety planning, information and referrals to agencies in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Assistance is available in English and Spanish with access to more than 170 languages through interpreter services. If you or someone you know is frightened about something in your relationship, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

Domestic
Violence Is...

A pattern of abusive
behaviors used to
control a partner,
former partner,
or family member.
Abuse may be:

1. Verbal

2. Emotional

3. Economic

4. Sexual

5. Physical

"I think someone I know is being abused, but I'm not sure..."

It’s not always easy to tell if someone is being abused, but there are signs that may suggest abuse. Trust your instincts and watch for any of the following signs:

Signs of Abuse — Not an All-Inclusive List:

• Various injuries attributed to a “fall” or “accident”
• Clothing that doesn’t match the season (long sleeves in the summer); wearing heavy
  make-up or accessories that seem unusual
• References to her partner’s bad moods or temper
• Breaking appointments at the last minute or simply not showing up
• Being late or absent from work or quitting her job unexpectedly
• Speaking of her partner as if he’s significantly more important than she is

Partner’s Behavior Often Offers Clues:

• Public criticism or belittling “jokes”
• Being overly jealous, “attentive,” or demanding
• Not delivering messages that you leave with him
• Trying to control her every move or making her account for her time
• Accusing her of having an affair
• Threatening suicide or murder — or attempting it
• Abusing the children emotionally, physically, or sexually
• Isolation — Keeping your friend away from her friends and family

How to Start a Conversation With a Victim

1. Tell her that you are worried.

2. Listen without judgment.

3. Believe her.

4. Tell her that she deserves to be treated better.

5. Refer her to the Kansas Crisis Hotline --
(888) END-ABUSE -- and your local
domestic violence program.

6. Ask her how you can help. Remember that safety is her
priority and she knows what is best to keep herself and
her children safe.

Lauren Alaina - Like My Mother Does lyrics

Fall is here (almost)

So where has the time gone? I can’t believe we are approaching fall, this is my most favorite time of the year. The air cools off in the evening and the smell of hot dogs on a BBQ is in the air. Oh-along with the sound of 40,000 BSU fans! Yep that time of year!

With so much chaos that life has to offer at times, it is nice to be able to sit down and update on what has been going on in my life.

My children are back to school…. This was an exciting year for me, Kaiden started Middle School. He is still unsure if or how much he likes school, but I think it will grow on him. Lexi is in the 4th grade and has informed me that she only likes school when she gets to talk to her friends. She is my daughter for sure! As for myself, I am still working and LOVE it. I love being able to help people in need and at the end of the day to know that you helped a family is one of the best feelings ever.

Did I mention that it is BSU football season? I am so excited that we opened the season with a WIN over the Georgia Bulldogs….. Attending the football games is defiantly a passion of mine. No, I didn’t jump on the BSU band-wagon. I have been a BSU fan since 1997 (that was when the Idaho Vandals won games!).

I have been in the gym working out and taking care of my body the way it deserves. After struggling with eating disorders (I still struggle to this day) I have found that by eating healthy and working out I have way more energy now then I did before.

A goal of mine for 2012, yes I am already setting my goals for 2012, is to help as MANY woman and young girls as I can who suffer from eating disorders. It is not a fun topic to talk about, but it can no longer stay the silent topic.

I am hoping to have success stories posted on here before to long. Mine being one of them!