South Carolina
is your Safe Place.
(2)Domestic violence is when one person in a relationship purposely hurts another person physically or emotionally. People of all races, education levels and ages experience domestic abuse. In the United States, more than 5 million women are abused by an intimate partner each year.
Domestic violence is about power and control, not love and respect. It’s about manipulation, intimidation and isolation. The abuse can take many forms, including emotional, physical, financial, sexual and using children.
Your partner:
You:
It is important to remember that you cannot rescue a friend or loved one from an abusive relationship — they have to help themselves. Listen without judging and support them no matter what, because it may take many conversations before your loved one decides to leave or make a change. In the meantime, continue to make the time to listen, offer help and build their confidence.
If someone you care about is being abused, remember that victims still love their partners and hope that they will change. They may feel too embarrassed to leave, because of their place in the community or because they have the same friends. And they may stay out of fear of what might happen, as abusers often retaliate at an escalated level.
Compliment the victim, boost their confidence and remind them how much you care about their well-being. Make it known that you are a trusted resource who isn't going to confront their abuser, disrupt their personal life or talk to others about it. You are someone they can count on to talk, listen and protect them if necessary.
Be there to help them plan their exit strategy from the relationship. Be there to support them after they've broken the cycle and left the abuser for good. And be there to comfort them in any way that makes that transition easier, whether it's somewhere to sleep, picking up the children or cooking dinner. Make sure they know that they are not alone to deal with the fallout of leaving an abusive relationship.
Victims of domestic violence come from all walks of life, meaning workers of every profession may be interacting with a victim on a daily basis without realizing it. (6) On average, a woman will leave an abusive relationship seven times before leaving for good. Some victims may cry out for help while others only give subtle hints, so it’s important you’re aware of the potential warning signs of abuse and prepared to offer the necessary help.
Resources are available to assist professionals in helping patients, clients or employees involved in a domestic violence situation. Numerous professional boards are joining the effort to increase both training and education for domestic violence. For more information, please contact the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.
Click here for advice and resources in the following professions:
As a professional, you can offer these victims a unique opportunity to reach out for help in a safe and confidential setting. Take advantage of this opportunity to help make South Carolina a safer place.
When you hurt the ones you love physically, mentally or emotionally, you're also hurting yourself. If you are abusing someone and need help breaking the cycle, we're here to help you. South Carolina is your Safe Place too.
