Stastically, it is said that 1 in 4 women will experience an abusive relationship in their lifetime. I think this is only the number of women who have reported an abusive relationship and that these numbers may actually be a great deal higher than previously thought.
Since I began promoting Domestic Violence Awareness in October, I have come to realize that there are more and more women out there who have experienced a violent dating relationship or marriage. I have had people that I have known for years come forward and say I had a boyfriend who was abusive, I had a husband who was abusive. It seems like over half of the women I know or am friends with have experienced abuse on some level. Could the statistic of 1 in 4 be low and actually be closer to 50% of women? Just wondering since it seems like I know or have met so many women who have experienced some level of abuse. Maybe the 1 in 4 statistic is for physical abuse and does not take into account the other forms of abuse.
Don't forget that abusive is not only physical, it can also be emotional and mental. I have a friend who went through an emotionally abusive relationship and no one ever knew. I experienced abuse on a number of levels in various relationships, not just one. We as women have to stand up for ourselves and gain the courage to leave those relationships that are or may be abusive. No one deserves to be abused and the abuse is never your fault be it physical, mental or emotional. If you are in an abusive relationship, create an escape plan and get out. If you need help getting out you can contact Tu Casa in the San Luis Valley at 719-589-2465, The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233, or your local police or sheriff's department. Help is out there. Don't be too afraid to reach for it.
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