| Did you know that one out of every 4 women will | | | | with a safe place to stay. Women's shelters are |
| become a victim of domestic violence at some point | | | | refuges for battered women escaping their abusers. |
| in her life? That is the first thing to understand - you | | | | The location of each shelter is kept confidential to |
| are not alone. This is not only happening to you and | | | | protect the women from their abusive partners. Most |
| no one else. It is an insidious "disease" occurring all | | | | shelters also take in children of the abusive household. |
| over the United States and of course in every | | | | The stays in such shelters is limited, but while you |
| country. It is not your fault. | | | | are there, your needs will be met including helping |
| If you are reading this, it could be that you are one | | | | you find a permanent home and whatever counseling, |
| of approximately 1.3 million women who are physically | | | | legal help, financial or other assistance you may need. |
| assaulted by an intimate partner every year. Maybe | | | | You do not have to give your real name at these |
| you're too afraid to talk to anyone about it so you | | | | shelters, either, which may help keep you hidden |
| have gone online to search for information and help. | | | | from your abuser. They may also know of animal |
| My only concern with this is that you must take into | | | | shelters or foster homes that will keep a pet for you |
| consideration the possibility that your abusive partner | | | | until you relocate. |
| may check the computer to see what sites you | | | | 3. The internet is also a great source of information |
| have been visiting. You can delete the internet | | | | and help. Once again, though, be sure to use a |
| history after getting the information you need, but if | | | | computer at a friend's home or the library or |
| your partner checks into this, he may become | | | | anywhere other than your own home. If your |
| suspicious as to why you have deleted the history of | | | | abusive partner finds out you have been researching |
| your website visits. The best way to get online | | | | domestic violence, it may send him over the edge |
| information is to use a computer at a library or some | | | | into a fit of rage. His intentions are to have complete |
| other place outside of your home. | | | | control over you and if he feels that slipping away, |
| Getting up the courage and strength to seek help in | | | | there is no telling what he may do. |
| getting out of an abusive relationship is not easy. If | | | | 4. A close friend is also a good source of help. |
| you still love your partner, you may be hoping he will | | | | Sharing your situation and fears with someone you |
| change. Unfortunately, statistics show that unless the | | | | trust gives you an ally and someone to turn to if you |
| abuser recognizes he has a problem, accepts | | | | need to get away in an emergency. This will provide |
| responsibility for his actions, stops blaming you and | | | | you with someone to talk to, even though your |
| everyone or everything else and chooses to seek | | | | abusive partner will not want you to have such a |
| out professional help, he will not change. This kind of | | | | friend. It may need to be a friendship he knows |
| violent behavior is a result of deep-seated emotional | | | | nothing about. This friend can provide you with a |
| and psychological problems. | | | | place to keep some extra cash, clothes and |
| You may be thinking you have nowhere else to go if | | | | important documents you may need if you leave |
| you leave or you might be afraid he will find you or | | | | your abuser quickly. |
| you are afraid of leaving your dog behind to be | | | | 5. Your State Coalition Against Domestic Violence can |
| abused or killed. There is help. Here are 5 sources | | | | be found online, with a phone # and website. This |
| through which you will find the help you need: | | | | coalition can help you find local support, low cost or |
| 1. The National Domestic Violence Hotline at | | | | free legal help and a safe women's shelter. |
| 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) is an anonymous and | | | | With so many sources of help in getting you out of |
| confidential source of support and assistance. They | | | | an abusive relationship, please don't stay in it long |
| will provide crisis intervention and safety planning and | | | | enough to become another tragic statistic. Help put |
| help you find a women's shelter and any other | | | | an end to your domestic abuse and violence by |
| domestic violence resources in your area. | | | | getting out while you still can. |
| 2. The women's shelter in your area will provide you | | | | |