March 29, 2024

Domestic abuse has many faces

Domestic abuse has many faces.

Most people think of it as someone who is physically abusing another person, but I can tell you from experience as a mental health nurse, domestic abuse comes in all forms.

Men or women who are habitual offenders have become more aware of ways to abuse someone, by not being physical as that leaves obvious scars or bruises.

We find mental abuse, by the form of harassment, stalking, threats to your professional and well as personal life, and using their body language, holding you hostage, and even more recently a new wave that is becoming more and more popular, “Revenge Porn.” This is where a person can obtain photos that were taken with or without your permission and place them on the web and in the form of Facebook, set up a website, etc.

According to an attorney I talked to, there are no laws to protect you from this form of abuse; although there are advocates working on this.

For your safety, if you have those “feelings that something is just not right” about a person you are contemplating being in a relationship with, I recommend you research that person, whether it is a new boyfriend, girlfriend, or basically any type of professional service that you are pursuing.

The website www.iowacourts.com is the best way to start. It is public knowledge for anyone to investigate the legal history that someone may or may not be hiding.

I have seen domestic abuse and what it can do to a person. The fear, the way it can change your whole outlook on life. PTSD “Post Traumatic Stress Disorder” is common, but often undiagnosed. Depression can become a debilitating symptom that is easily treated. Getting counseling can also be constructive in the healing process.

This month, there are many causes that are being recognized and domestic abuse is one of them. There are wonderful organizations available to help anyone who is caught up in an abusive relationship.

Report any abuse to your local police department and call the Crisis Intervention and Advocacy Center out of Adel, Iowa. They are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and have an amazing staff who is experienced and will go over and beyond their call of duty to help anyone who reaches out for assistance.

Abuse in whatever form, is still abuse, do not ever let anyone minimize what you’re experiencing. There are so many qualified people that are ready to help you be free from an abusive relationship.