I stopped over at Mississippi Songbird's blog today and read a story that broke my heart.
It reminded me that violence against women isn't always of the newsmaking kind. Most violence happens slowly and in a million ways that we can't see. A gradual, but insidious, erosion of self esteem. A child's daily exposure to language and thoughts that would have earned most of us a mouth washed out with soap, growing up. A withdrawal of a woman's access to family, friends, and the activites that give her heart and soul a place to escape and recharge.
Sometimes, we all need a reminder that domestic violence is less often a shotgun blast to the face and more often a thousand stinging slaps.
It takes care and action from an entire community to help break an unhealthy cycle and help a woman heal. We're all part of that community and we all have a responsibility to watch out for those among us who are being worn away, daily, by domestic violence.
Thanks, Stephanie, for your reminder. *hug*
5 comments:
I'm not saying emotional abuse is worse than physical abuse. The scars seem to run deeper, however.
Thank you for passing this on.. I wish I could have done more... but I was taken off guard.. Yes, Emotional and physical abuse both leave scars...
I hope you have a good week... Bunches of hugs...
this post caught me by surprise...
"it's not a shotgun blast to the face" but a thousand slaps...
my sister was murdered by a shotgun to the face in a domestic violence act.
but yes, it starts slowly and poisons her spirit.
Oh good heavens, E; I had no idea. I was actually thinking about the multiple (yes, multiple) patients who have come to us, seeking help for themselves or for loved ones who have survived shotgun blasts to their faces, courtesy of their male domestic partners.
My heart aches for you and your family.
thanks for sending your hugs through my husband!
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