Victims of domestic violence often believe that they are alone in the world, that no one would believe their stories, that there is no way out of the abusive relationship.
Batterers often isolate their victims from friends and family, sometimes from the entire world. Victims may be literally locked in their homes without transportation or telephones, with no way at all to communicate.
Other victims of violence appear to have all the freedom in the world — they attend church, hold jobs, socialize- and yet they, too, feel that they can’t escape the abuse.
The dynamics of domestic violence are more complicated than I can explain in a single blog entry, but the Women Are Safe website contains a lot of information that can clear up questions.
Here, though, is a simple but critical piece of information: Domestic violence shelter programs are bound by confidentiality. If you call the hotline number or speak to an advocate in person, everything that you say will be kept private. No details about you or your situation will be shared with anyone outside the program.
If you’re a victim, please call and talk to someone about your situation. Even if you don’t feel that you need shelter or support groups, just talking to an advocate on the crisis line may help you to better understand what is happening.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline can put you in touch with the domestic violence shelter program nearest you:
1 -800 - 799 - SAFE (7233)
1- 800 - 787 - 3224 (TTY)
