“The latest research says abusers’ access to a firearm increases the risk of homicide by 11 times,” Kaplan said. “And they found that states with the highest rates of firearm ownership had a 65% higher rate of intimate partner violence firearm homicide than states with lower rates of gun ownership.”
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Recognizing domestic violence is an essential step in addressing and preventing this issue that affects individuals across all demographics and communities. It’s often displayed in various forms, including physical, emotional, financial, digital, and sexual. Recognizing these forms of abuse and being able to spot red flags and warning signs of abuse is the first step toward breaking the cycle and seeking help.
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At its core, domestic violence is a pattern of behaviors used by one partner to gain and maintain power and control over another. To better understand the different types of domestic violence, let's explore its various forms: verbal and emotional abuse, financial abuse, digital abuse, physical abuse, and sexual abuse.
Read MoreFriendships among women hold a unique place in our social circles. These relationships provide essential emotional support, shared experiences, and a great understanding that can only come from those who have faced similar challenges. Women’s friendships can be particularly critical during times of stress, personal transformation, or loss. A friend can lend an empathetic ear or offer advice and encouragement.
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As a Bilingual Community Advocate with Journey Center’s Latina Domestic Violence Project, I look forward to coming into work each day grateful that I can make a difference in the lives of individuals and families in our community.
Read MoreEveryone has a role to play in helping to end domestic violence. If you suspect abuse or have witnessed a family member being abusive in their relationship, it can be difficult to know what to do. You may love your family member, but you know that what they’re doing is harmful to their partner. You may want to help but are scared to lose the relationship with them or you may feel as though it is not your place to step in.
Read MoreThis week, northeast Ohio was rocked by media stories about two prominent, local citizens accused of and arrested for violence against women. While these incidents will ultimately play out in our legal system, we realize that seeing stories about domestic violence and/or child abuse in the news and on social media can be triggering.
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Monday is typically a day full of contacting clients, checking in and seeing how clients are doing, connecting them with services and resources, and completing intakes for our Education Classes. With that comes documentation and entering information into our database. Monday is also the day I prepare for all the classes (Domestic Violence Education Classes and ACT Parenting) that I have for the remainder of the week.
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No two days in Shelter are alike. The only thing you know for certain walking through the doors of the Shelter is that you will be helping other human beings work through one of the hardest things one can experience. It all starts with a call.
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I start my day with a mix of engaging with clients and preparing for my shift. As I walk in the front doors of Shelter, I interact with the children and parents by saying “hi” or asking how their day is going before heading to the office for our shift change.
Read MoreWhile Pride Month often serves as a fun, vibrant celebration, it can also be an opportunity to recognize and support those in the LGBTQIA+ community who are victims and survivors of abuse. Domestic violence is not limited to heterosexual relationships and can affect individuals of all sexual orientations and genders. Within the LGBTQIA+ community, domestic violence occurs at a rate equal to or even higher than that of the heterosexual community.
Read MoreWe all deserve a green flag relationship. Green flags as the name suggests are positive indicators of yourself or others. It’s a reflection of your relationship with yourself. They help you identify what you need to improve on, what you succeed in and how far you’ve come in your self-reflection journey. These indicators also help you identify the steps needed to achieve a healthy and long-lasting relationship with yourself.
Read MoreSurvivors of domestic violence often endure severe consequences such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and substance abuse, which can significantly disrupt their lives in multiple ways. At Journey Center, we are dedicated to supporting survivors on their mental health journeys.
Read MoreExperiencing abuse as a child can have serious, long-term effects on an individual. There are many factors that play into how abuse affects a child including the child’s age and developmental level when the abuse occurred. Children who are abused and neglected may suffer immediate physical injuries such as cuts, bruises, or broken bones. They may also have emotional and psychological problems, such as anxiety or posttraumatic stress.
Read MoreThe first step in helping children who have been abused or neglected is learning to recognize the signs of child abuse. The presence of a single sign does not necessarily mean that abuse is occurring in a family, but a closer look at the situation may be warranted when these signs appear repeatedly or in combination.
Read MoreIf a child you know or care about is experiencing child abuse you may not know what to do or what to say. However, when a child talks to you about the abuse they are facing it is important to listen and to act in a way that supports the child while keeping them protected.
Read MoreEach year, approximately 304 million children between the ages of 3-17 are at risk of exposure to domestic violence. Although many children who experience abuse do not become violent later in life, there is a substantial risk that violence in the family is transferred from generation to generation.
Read MoreChild abuse and neglect are serious public health issues that affect millions of children each year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at least 1 in 7 children have experienced child abuse or neglect in the past year in the United States.
Read MoreOver the last 25 years Shelly Dudas has helped thousands of victim/survivors of domestic violence and child abuse in Cuyahoga County heal from trauma. She is a fierce social justice advocate committed to changing unjust practices that harm individuals in our community. Shelly Dudas is committed to ending domestic violence and child abuse through education, advocacy, and systemic change.
Read MoreBrain Injury Awareness Month is a dedicated period for recognizing the causes and raising awareness to eliminate the stigma surrounding brain injuries. It is also a time to recognize those with brain injuries related to domestic violence and let them know they are not alone. Violence directed at the head, neck, and face can have long-lasting consequences. Any time you are hurt in this way, it should be taken seriously.
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