Did you know that ONE in FOUR women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime? That is an amazing statistic to me. I have lucked out, because I personally am not the one in four. However, I know there are women out there have to make those moment-by-moment decisions requiring brave choices and bold actions. You may not think this effects your life, but I can guarantee you that you know someone who has/had domestic violence in their lives. It is the hidden epidemic. I can't be the only one who remembers the PSA commercials telling people to report domestic violence (I don't see them anymore on TV, but I definitely remember them. I do wonder (aff) why they don't show them anymore.)
It can be hard to believe in ourselves when we have been beaten down by circumstance, and that is where BraveWoman.org steps in. Brave Woman is a grassroots movement to shift personal and public perception of women facing domestic violence situations from a victim mentality to one of courage and strength. The ultimate goal is to create a community that supports difficult decisions involved in creating a new life of safety, healing, and independence. I wish we were there already. Every woman and child should have the supportive resources they need to live without fear in their homes and see themselves as courageous victors, finally free from family violence. I love that they have a link on the site called “click to hide site”. They get it that it can be dangerous to women to even be looking for a way out.
Even if you aren't involved in a domestic violence situation, you can still become a Brave Woman Champion. You can take the pledge today and join other brave women. The pledge is:
I pledge to honor and respect brave women and children who tackle the difficult journey of change from domestic violence to a new life. I acknowledge my own moment-by-moment bravery, will remain aware of what is happening to others around me, and speak up against violence in any form. I will stand up for human dignity and safety for women and children.
I think this is something we can all do now and next year. Everyone who joins the Brave Woman community receives a free download of Jana Stanfield’s song, What Would I Do Today If I Were Brave and other sources of reflection and encouragement. You can also join them in a Brave Woman Twitter party on December 19th at 1:00-2 (aff):00 PM EST.
Will you be pledging to be a Brave Woman in 2012? Do you currently do anything to help those who find themselves in a domestic violence situation? (For example, we donate teddy bears to our church this time of year. Our church then gives those teddy bears to children in domestic violence shelters. It doesn't seem like much, but those bears can mean the world to those children).
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I took the pledge! I'll do whatever I can to help other women get out of the situation I lived through myself. Thanks for sharing!
I think it's so important for us to support these woman and know that they can get away from those situations! I took the pledge too!
I agree, it's very important to help these women. I will take the pledge.
I was abused once by a boyfriend…I was brave and ended the relationship that day. I took the pledge.
Alarming statistics! Thanks for sharing this to help those in, who might be in or who have left an abusive relationship, it's nice to know that the support is there!
Violence should not be an option! Thanks for sharing:) I took the pledge too!
i lived that way for 7 years. back then caller id was a new thing and we would look thru caller id to see who had called or who i had called, so i LOVE that they allow you to hide their online presence. i will pledge.
I'm a survivor!
As a survivor, I am so touched by all of the meaningful support for this program! Thank you!
That is an amazing number. Thank you so much for the information.