| You may have heard a story about domestic | | | | deceased? What about workshops and seminars? |
| violence, been a victim yourself or just don't | | | | Are there any advertisements, public service |
| understand why women stay, whatever your reason | | | | announcements, fliers, or some other literature readily |
| for being interested in Domestic Violence Awareness, | | | | available and widely seen in your neighborhood to call |
| you are at least making an attempt to educate | | | | attention to the problem. |
| yourself and possibly help someone else and that's all | | | | Fourth, find out from local police how they respond |
| anyone who once was a victim and those who are | | | | to domestic violence calls and what you should do if |
| now deceased would want, but for those people | | | | you hear or witness someone being abused. |
| who want to do more, the following are tips to help | | | | Fifth, create a list of ways you may be able to let |
| you get started. | | | | people know about domestic violence. You may want |
| First, conduct research about domestic violence. You | | | | to distribute information and trinkets with a hotline |
| should be able to answer some of the why, how, | | | | number and/or create a fund-raiser and give the |
| when, what, and who questions related to the | | | | proceeds to a local women's shelter. Take out ad |
| subject. Also, read about others' plights. Even though | | | | space in your local newspaper. If you are affiliated |
| many of the stories have similar patterns, there is | | | | with a church, find out how leadership handles |
| always something new in each that may stimulate | | | | domestic violence cases and offer to speak about |
| thoughts of " I never knew that." | | | | the issue. You can also work with schools and local |
| Second, be sure that you are sincerely empathetic | | | | colleges to appear as a guest speaker. |
| and not judgmental about those who have been in | | | | Sixth, pen your experience in a form of a book or |
| violent relationships. You will know if you have | | | | record your story on audio. Let people know how |
| resolved your own issues about women who stay, | | | | you overcame your own situation. Then offer your |
| by how you react when listening to their stories. If | | | | book or audio to individuals or organizations who |
| you find that you are pushing down negative feelings | | | | might be interested in your subject matter. A local |
| and trying hard to refrain from making harsh | | | | theater may be interested in performing your life |
| comments, then it would be best that you don't | | | | story in play form. |
| attend any events or visit places where people are | | | | Lastly, be a good listener. Know what to say and |
| sharing their traumatic ordeals until you can get a | | | | how to say it when someone shares details of their |
| command over your own feelings. The last thing that | | | | life. Be ready to provide advice. You can obtain |
| any victim or survivor wants is another person telling | | | | information from any women's shelter or simply type |
| them "how stupid" he or she is for staying. | | | | in "domestic violence" along with your state's name in |
| Third, conduct research in your community of | | | | your search engine window. A list of organizations are |
| existing events about domestic violence awareness. | | | | already established with free information to help you. |
| Are there any groups hosting a vigil for the | | | | |