Discussion: “I Promise You, I Won’t Do It Again!”
October 15, 2021
I was sitting and considering that the month of October was Domestic Violence Awareness Month. How sad! That we as human beings require an awareness month for another human being subjected to beating, slapping, piercing or losing their life. Anger blended with a distorted pleasure from an abuser. While a woman’s spirit and soul are being destroyed, as she is being beaten and/or dragged around a room.
I thought for a long time as questions filled my mind. Why would family and friends need to beg someone to leave a life of abuse? What is creating the anger inside someone? Why would a person want to execute pain on another human? What lives inside of the abused that holds them in a place no one should be? How do you respond when the abused try to justify these acts, often saying, “He didn’t mean it or he is under a lot of pressure!” After volunteering for Domestic Violence Safe houses in two different states, I realized men are victims of domestic violence too.
I have studied the eyes of women as I collected information that came to the shelter. It took a while for me to find the expression fitting for the comments I heard. “He never thought I would leave him, I showed him” or “I just needed a break.” Sadly, these were the ones who were going back. Thinking they had taught their abuser a lesson. Not knowing what they had shown was that they would come back, often causing the abuse to intensify to where some frequently lost their life… trying to teach a lesson.
Many women remain because he threatens to harm the children or take the children, keeping everyone in an unsafe environment. Other leaves because the children are now being abused in many deviant forms. I found out from the Men Anger Management classes at the YMCA that police hate going to domestic violence calls.
One evening as I arrived at the shelter, they informed me that an elderly woman had called that afternoon and wanted to know where the shelter was located. The shelter worker started planning to have her picked up, but she declined and stated she’d walk. I got there at 6 pm and sometime later in the night; we heard a knock on the door. When we opened the door, a lady fell into our arms. Barely able to speak, she informed us she was the one who had called this afternoon to locate the shelter. After helping her to get settled, we found out she had walked all day to get to the shelter. I looked at this woman in her late 70s with nothing but her handbag. A handbag was all she had to show for her 70 plus years on this earth. She added “I had enough”. This declaration caused her to decide to just walk out her front door and not look back. We got her established in another state with a relative. Even though we never saw her again, I earnestly for some time after that prayed for her.
I’ve heard men claim, “I watched my father beat my mother and swore I would never beat my wife.” Still, they do! They sincerely promise “I won’t do it again” and they do. I recognize I will never understand this violence or women who live with this violence. It’s a fact that many women find the courage to leave their abusive state, but often find their selves in another domestic abuse relationship. A cycle of pain!
I know that this behavior comes from deep within. Something locked inside of yourself a belief that this is the only life you know. Thinking there’s nothing better for you. I know that many are in critical, life-threatening circumstances. I believe they should think about getting aid to find the safest way to leave a relationship of this nature. Abused women still will declare their love for the abuser. Tina Turner expressed it in the title alone, ‘What love got to do with it’? How do you explain the love when you go to the emergency room or awake on the floor from being knocked unconscious? Love doesn’t harm you (at least not deliberately). Love protects, causes you to feel safe, cared for and embraces you.
Again, this month of October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Women that seemingly can’t break away don’t need our judgement and criticism. As family and friends, I know it hurts to know a loved one in this position. You may not reach them now, but don’t turn your back on them. When they come for help, dismiss from your mind and the words “I told you so” and other condemning comments. Be silent. Listen. Learn. Unfortunately, we must also remember some don’t know how to reach out. And despite all of what is available today, a good deal may never reach out.
Domestic Violence
National Domestic Violence Hotline can help victims, survivors of domestic violence. Call 1-800-799-7233. Chat w/an advocate on our website. National Domestic Violence Hotline: www.thehotline.org/
Thank you for joining me on Friday at Sundown. Remember… Just Breathe!
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Resources Corner:
Psychological Trauma
GirlVictorious: Life After Trauma is a blog geared at helping women lead a meaningful, full, and victorious life after going through trauma.
Aid for Military Veterans
In an attempt to cope with the pain of overwhelming emotions, sometimes veterans turn to unhealthy relationships, at-risk behaviors, or substance abuse.
Welcome Home is Celebrate Recovery's (CR) tool to help veterans stuck in hurts, hang-ups, and habits. (These statements are from CR’s Homepage). You are not alone! https://www.welcomehome.celebraterecovery.com
Victorious Living Faith: Not Your Traditional Church - Home https://m.facebook.com/TGS1820/ (Pastor Phillip A. Miller, Sr.)