The Victim Assistant 🐼

The pandemic, COVID19, has caused several concerns about victims of domestic violence being in isolation with their abusers. My concern is the increase of violence and the incidents that do not get reported to police. According to domesticviolencestatistics.org  , based on reports from 10 countries, between 55 percent and 95 percent of women who had been physically abused by their partners had never contacted non-governmental organizations, shelters, or police for help. Several years ago I responded to a case with detectives investigating a domestic violence call that resulted in the victim receiving serious physical injuries. Jane was newly married and just moved to Arizona from out of state. Her and her husband had only been in their house a short period of time. Jane did not have any family in Arizona and appeared to be isolated from her family based on her statement at the time of the incident. Isolation is a tactic that abusers use to gain power and control over their vi...

During this time of isolation, survivors of sexual assault and or domestic violence may be triggered or experience abuse and not know how to access support services. Staying connected to online support and resources is important now more than ever so if you are a survivor that needs support through this unsettling time please reach out to the following resources: thehotline.org National Domestic Violence Hotline 1 800 779-7233 or text loveis to 22522 National Sexual Assault Hotline 1 800 656-4673 Service providers, counselors,  and therapists please consider utilizing online tools to communicate with your clients during this isolation period and offer support remotely. Go to  techsafety.org  for an online guide for service providers with tools for services and remote workplaces. Stay healthy. Stay Connected. Support each other.  Listen to my Podcast: The Victim Assistant, Crime Victim Advocacy available on most outlets including ApplePodcasts, Spreaker, Stit...

Many people send me their program information to highlight and share or I find resources to add to my guide, and I'd like to share two resources that can be highly valuable to victims of domestic violence that suffer from substance abuse issues. Sometimes the pain of living with abuse can trigger substance abuse. Domestic Abuse Resource Guide https://www.ridgefieldrecovery.com/resources/domestic-violence-addiction/ ASAM American Society of Addiction Medicine https://www.asam.org/resources/publications/magazine/read/article/2014/10/06/intimate-partner-violence-and-co-occurring-substance-abuse-addiction

January is National Stalking Awareness Month. During this month we acknowledge that stalking is a crime in all 50 states. Stalking is a series of actions that make you feel afraid, fearful, distressed or in danger. Stalking is very serious and all threats of harm should be taken seriously and law enforcement should always be notified of incidents. Things to ask yourself if you feel you are being stalked: -Are you always looking over shoulder or have that unnerving feeling you are being watched? -Confused about how someone always seems to be where you are. -Unsure if another incident will occur. -Nervous about checking social media, emails, texts. -Are you scared of the unknown? You maybe a victim of stalking. Most stalkers target people that they know. Stalkers use multiple tactics to scare, harass, annoy the victim. These behaviors include not limited to: -Unwanted contact- repeated texts, phone calls, social media posts -Follows you -Tracking you using technology (gps, ap...

October  is National  Domestic Violence Awareness Month , which first began in 1981 by the National Coalition Against  Domestic Violence  as a Day of Unity to connect battered women's advocates across the country.  Domestic violence  affects millions, both women and men, of every race, religion, culture and status. (breakthecycle.org) Domestic Violence is described as a pattern of abusive behavior- physical, psychological, or emotional  tactics by an intimate partner, in order to gain power and control in the relationship. The power and control wheel describes the different abusive tactics abusers use to maintain power and control in a relationship. Power and control is at the center of the wheel indicating the abuser's main goal. Sometimes abusers do not have to resort to physical violence to gain power and control. Many victims report only psychological and emotional abuse which is just as damaging as physical abuse.  A heal...

New Episode of The Victim Assistant, Crime Victim Advocacy, Crime and Victimization available now on Apple Podcasts and Stitcher. Listen and Subscribe! Remember to follow me on Twitter @vitimadvocate1 for resources and information.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/overview-of-victims-rights/id1450337983?i=1000448072864