It’s the day after Christmas. This is also a time when family violence increases. People are together more, amid the additional stresses of holiday spending and often alcohol. Don’t allow it in your life, or in the lives of your loved ones. Domestic violence is NOT acceptable, even at Christmas.
Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) if you need help or shelter.
I feel like a shadow in your message today …
But you’re right to talk about domestic violence: enough is enough!
It is for me a line that no man must ever cross, and if he crosses the line once, he will do so again. I personally have a deep anger towards any man using violence against a woman and have had to physically stop several men in my life who have done so. It shows a complete lack of control both physically and emotionally, and a willingness to shed one’s natural moral code of ethics. I will never accept the excuses and reasons why, nor stay friends with the culprit.
I have also have female friends who have suffered violent rapes, brutal beatings, long term abuse and the emotional trauma and fallout is a lifelong companion with trust as the casualty. Violence solves nothing, and violence towards women must never be tolerated.
i used to ‘be there’ for people in a Christian chat room where people would often come for help with impossible situations, and you would be surprised how much of a problem this is for even Christian women… it’s very terrifying to try and put yourself in their shoes, nevermind actually BEING in their shoes…. I remember trying to help this one woman to leave, and the night she was supposed to leave was the last time we heard from her, now i don’t know if she DIDN’T leave, and didn’t talk to us anymore out of shame, or if it was something much worse… and that’s just the tip of the iceberg
The donkey is not violent!
He is a peaceful companion, he prefers smiles and laugh!
What a great way to spread the message of family violence. It really needs to be stopped. Love your graphics!!!
Hay also mental violence which are not visible….
I beg your pardon ! I want to write “There is also mental violence which is not visible”
I recommend hockey on boxing day rather than boxing. You’re too knackered for anything else afterwards
Apologies if my comment above comes across as a bit flippant. Physical violence is of course reprehensible in any situation.
Good Girl, spread the message, your way is fantastic!
Emotions do run high this time of year. Wise of you to point out the possible repercussions of this.
A good point about our cultural need to embody compassion.
So true
There was a skit on SNL on this which I liked a lot.
let’s welcome the new year together, happily…!
touche’. ….and isn’t it just so apt that the victim is so often the one who’s singled out for ‘testing’. the more things change, the more they stay the same. i suspect there isn’t anyone who has never known of this, or looked the other way, pretending we didn’t know. Dr Martin Luther King’s ‘i have a dream’ speech was run on CBC radio, i believe on Christmas day. in it he spoke of ‘ends that are believed to justify means’. and that violence is NEVER an acceptable way to attain peace. or an effective one.
If my job required random testing, it would probably be about which political leader we would vote for. They may be disappointed though. I need to work on my thoughts…
So, do you? Have blood in your hair?
Great message. I totally agree!
I once worked in a psychiatric hospital, Seraphine, and it’s the same thing…we had more admissions at Christmas time than any other time of the year. Very sad when you think about it! Thanks for reminding us.
For this last 2009 week, the donkey promises to do his best and will offer only kisses!
Xmas make some people crazy , i agree ! your msg is good , we’ll follow your way
Bisous
Especially not at Christmas or any other time of the year!
Oh dear ! What a subject . I could write one whole day about it . It is not ok to write about other people’s experiences about this issue, so I won’t . All I can say is that many people are misusing this phone number and then having a lot of trouble with police….
That is why i believe everyone should have a punching bag in your home, apartment etc. After going to town for 20 to 30 minutes you are way too tired to argue or give violence of any sort. Love it. Just the thing i need after a day at work.
Seraphine: This is a very important post. I have asked a number of friends who live in small towns what they enjoy most about where they live and they cite the quality of life and decrease in the amount of stress associated with large populations. We live in very tense times. I hope someone reading your post will think about more peaceful ways to resolve conflict.
Great message… Hope you had a good holiday!
Alcohol and anger = violence. It’s too bad that if we need stimulants we don’t have a pot culture instead. I ran focus groups with youth about addictions a few years back and remember this conversation between a burly drinker and dreddy stoner:
Stoner: “You guys drink and drive and I’ve seen you actually run right through a red light in town.”
Drinker: “Yeah, well, when you’re blasted you’re not such a great driver either…”
Stoner to Gary: “What would you rather have – someone who doesn’t even see a red light and races right through it or someone who drives slowly up to it, stops, turns to his friend and says, ‘Wowww – look at that!”?
I solved this, living with myself for the moment and me, myself and I are so kind with ourselves this year….
Lucky us !
I love how you specify that domestic violence is not acceptable, EVEN at christmas. Hilarious! But I fully agree.