- Season 2, Episode 17 - 

Today, we will address Domestic Abuse.

Join me in the fight against domestic abuse by helping me shed a light on all the hidden wrongdoings that have been happening behind closed doors. 

📝Domestic abuse concerns everyone. In fact, you could be a man, a woman, you could be black, white, Asian or Hispanic, you could be gay, transgender or straight, you could be young, old, rich or poor, you could be highly educated or illiterate, domestic abuse concerns everyone; it happened to me.

Defining domestic abuse: 

Domestic violence is a pattern of behaviors used by one partner to maintain power and control over another partner in an intimate relationship. Domestic abuse can include: 

• Control 
• Physical Abuse 
• Sexual Abuse 
• Emotional Abuse
• Isolation 
• Verbal Abuse
• Financial Abuse 

Domestic abuse shall never be hidden under cultural differences. Whether originated from Bunclody, Marseille, Tokyo, New York, Mexico City or Cairo, no human being should EVER take advantage of another human being. 

What have I learned from my experience? 

1- Domestic abuse flourishes in secrecy, in cover-ups and darkness. 
2- Domestic abuse often occurs behind closed doors and abusers are generally fun and loving people in public. 
3- There is no perfect timing for leaving your abuser. Leave when YOU are ready.
4- Victims of domestic abuse are not weak and unstable. To the contrary, they are strong and proud, for they are often able to manage their busy lives while also hiding their hardship behind closed doors.
5- Abusers never change. Do not tell yourself that you will change them, and NEVER believe them when they tell you they have changed. 
6- Domestic abuse often brings shame to the victim. Once you have left the relationship, you will not be turned down by your loved-ones, and you will understand that your situation is not unique. 
7- Children also suffer from domestic abuse. According to the WHO, Children who grow up in families with violence may perpetuate or experience violence later in life. 
8- I am no longer a victim of Domestic abuse, but I am a survivor. Abuse should not be a fatality; there is a life after domestic abuse. 

If you are a victim of domestic abuse, if you feel lost, ashamed and at risk, you are not alone. Call a loved one; talk to your supervisor; contact your local police, alert your doctor, or reach-out to anyone who cares to help. The shame should not be on you but on your abuser. This is not your fault.

I am also inviting all witnesses of domestic abuse to consider helping by listening and caring. Do not judge, do not tell them to leave their abuser, and do not take their hardship as weakness. Instead, listen, acknowledge their strength and let them know you are there for them. 

It is time that we finally work together to stop all forms of abuse, whether public, domestic, sexual, psychological or physical. 

📬More than ever, I am inviting you to reach-out if you have questions, or if you simply want to talk, please do not hesitate to contact me at:
[email protected]

Stay tuned for our next episode and always remember to respect one another. 💕