KSLV Interview

Tune in to KSLV for my interview and discussion on domestic violence awareness. The inteview starts at 10 a.m. on Friday, October 1st.

"You are the embodiment of the information you choose to accept and act upon. To change your circumstances you need to change your thinking and subsequent actions." Adlin Sinclair

Dating Abuse

FACTS
1 in 3 teens are abused in a relationship.
Only 33% of teens in an abusive relationship reported the abuse.
Teen victims of dating violence are more likely to abuse drugs, have eating disorders, and attempt suicide.
Dating violence is the leading cause of injury to young women.
About 40% of teenage girls 14 to 17 say they know someone their age who has been hit or beaten by a boyfriend.
Approximately 68% of young women rape victims knew their rapists either as a boyfriend, friend, or casual acquaintance.
Females 20-24 are at the greatest risk for intimate partner violence.

SIGNS OF AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP
Any kind of physical violence or the threat of physical violence.
Emotional or mental abuse (i.e.: mind games, making you feel crazy, yelling at you, criticizing you, putting you down).
Sexual abuse (i.e.: forcing you into any type of sexual activity, refusing safe sex, making you feel bad about yourself sexually).

PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF ABUSE
42% of women and 20% of abused men sustaing the following injuries:
Scratches
Bruises
Swelling
Lesions
Cuts
Broken Bones
Gynecological Injuries

PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
Depression and Anxiety
Suicidal Behavior
Low Self-Esteem
Sleep Disturbances
Inability to Concentrate

SOCIAL EFFECTS
Controlled access to services meant to help the victim.
Isolation from family, friends, and supportive individuals.
Changes in behavior at school

HOW TO HELP SOMEONE BEING ABUSED
Speak Up - Talk to people if you suspect a friend is being abused or speak to the friend themself.
Be Sensitive - Try to understand their feelings and be respectful to their decision.
Listen - Sometimes just listening and being supportive is best.
Be There For Them - Encourage them to spend time with you, other friends, and family. Get them excited about doing things outside of the relationship.
Connect Them to Resources - Sometimes victims don't realize they are being abused. Send them websites, links, and information.
Stay With Them - If they decide to leave the abuser, be there for them to help them through the process and healing.

Music/Music Videos

I was listening to Eminem & Rihanna's controversial song, "Love the Way You Lie" today and it made me realize that more and more artists are trying to bring awareness to domestic violence, some intentionally and some unintentionally. I know there are a number of people who are Eminem fans and a number who aren't. Either way and regardless of whether or not you like the song, I can't help but think how Eminem perfectly describes the cycle of domestic violence, "Cause when it's good, It's going great...But when it's bad, It's awful...I laid hands on her, I'll never stoop so low again...You swore you'd never hit em, Never do nothing to hurt em...You push, pull each others hair, scratch, claw, bit em, throw em down, pin em...It's the rage that took over, It controls you both...But you promised her next time you'd show restraint...We fall back into the same patterns the same routines...Next time, There won't be a next time, I apologize even though I know it's lies". Not sure if it's true or not, but I had read (I believe in Rolling Stone) that this song was actually written with Rihanna in mind. I also read, that the music video to the song was not created to represent Eminem or Rihanna and their relationships. Rather, the video (which features Megan Fox) represents any two individuals anywhere who are in a violent relationship. I have to say, whether these artists have written/sang these songs to intentionally shed some light on the subject or not; I have to give props to those who are bringing this tragic cycle into awareness. Who better to speak out about domestic violence (other than victims) than celebrities that we all look up to. With that said, here is a list of songs and music video links in which domestic violence is discussed or implied.

Love the Way You Lie - Eminem & Rihanna    
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uelHwf8o7_U&ob=av2e

I'm Okay - Christina Aguilera
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxeHfB-udlI

Face Down - Red Jumpsuit Apperatace
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ux6SlOE9Qk&ob=av2e

Tell Me Why - Taylor Swift
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRlzn-Dz6yc

Independence Day - Martina McBride
http://www.cmt.com/videos/martina-mcbride/55392/independence-day.jhtml

Family Portrait - Pink
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSjIz8oQuko

Because of You - Kelly Clarkson & Reba McIntire
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0oenkCT8EY

Black Eyes Blue Tears - Shania Twain
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LL0K1rudAw

Hands Clean - Alanis Morisette
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GP_yr-UA7E&ob=av2e

Goodbye Earl - Dixie Chicks (This one tries to make light of the issue, but discusses it)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gw7gNf_9njs

Evangeline - Little Big Town
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6R_A1X_cJI

It Stops With Us - J-Saint
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kroz7SmSLTw

"Paint it Purple" Parties

Throw a "Paint it Purple" party to help promote Domestic Violence Awareness. I will be throwing a private party for my family and friends on October 9th.

What is the "Paint it Purple" Campaign?
"Paint it Purple" is a campaign to take Domestic Violence Awareness Month Worldwide in October 2010. The campaign's aim is to raise global awareness about Violence Against Women through a social media campaign and to raise funds for The Pixel Project.

Throw your own party, decorate in purple and white, bake purple and white cupcakes, wear purple, and record a short PSA to be uploaded to YouTube and help "Paint it Purple" this October.

For more information on the "Paint it Purple" Campaign visit http://www.thepixelproject.net/.

Inspirational Quotes

For anyone who may need some inspiration or hope, I hope you find these quotes as inspirational as I did.

"The first step toward success is taken when you refuse to be a captive of the environment in which you first find yourself." Mark Caine – author

"Real confidence comes from knowing and accepting yourself- your strengths and your limitations –in contrast to depending on affirmation from others." Judith Bardwick- the Plateauing Trap 8, 1988

"Every woman who thinks she is the only victim of violence has to know that there are many more."
– Salma Hayek

"Non-violence can truly flourish when the world is free of poverty, hunger, discrimination, exclusion, intolerance and hatred – when women and men can realize their highest potential and live a secure and fulfilling life. Until then, each and every one of us would have to contribute – collectively and individually – to build peace through non-violence."
– Anwarul Chowdhury

Mrs. San Luis Valley 2010

I got the most exciting news in the mail today. I applied to compete in the Mrs. Colorado 2011 Pageant. I received notification that I have been awarded the title of Mrs. San Luis Valley 2010 and will be competing for the title of Mrs. Colorado 2011 in March. I look forward to this exciting adventure and hope that through my platform, I can help spread awareness of domestic violence across the state of Colorado and the country.
Continue to check back for updates on appearances, presentations, educational information, and more.
Here's hoping that together, we can put an end to domestic violence.