Helping A Victim Who Was Abused

March 16, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Domestic abuse is a violent crime going on all throughout the United States. About 4.8 million women will be raped or assaulted by someone they know. Almost 30 percent of women reported that their husband or boyfriend abused them. If you think your friend or someone in your family is being abused it’s important to step in and do what you can to help.

When you know for sure your friend is being abused it’s crucial that you confront her right away. But be prepared because she might be in denial and start feeling a little defensive. These are normal reactions, but she has to know what’s happening is a crime. Just remind her you’re concerned for her safety and you want to help her through this horrible time.

When a victim is talking to you about her abuse, it’s important for you to listen and offer support without being judgmental. Being abused by your husband is toxic to you both physically and emotionally. It’s important that your friend understands that this is not her fault. This might be difficult, but don’t talk horribly about the abuser, this is going to make her angry and decide not to talk to you about the situation.

Sit with your friend about creating an idea for her to get away from her abusive husband. A safety plan is something that will be used when you’re trying to get out of a horrible situation as quickly and safely as possible. Think of all the possible exits and time that she can get her things and move out of the home. A few law websites will say she should have a suitcase that has some clothes, money, social security cards, personal items, her banking items and any other important information she may need. Write down a list of people she can call if there’s an emergency.

Domestic abuse is a horrible situation for anyone to be in. If you know someone being abused it’s crucial that you step in and to help your friend or family member out of a bad situation.

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Obsession Over Treatment: OCD Options

December 11, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, also known as OCD, is a type of anxiety disorder. A person with OCD is controlled by obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. Although they vary, examples include an obsession over cleanliness, numbers, and order. Compulsions are actions that complement obsessions. For example, if you are obsessed about not getting sick, you may constantly wash your hands or use hand sanitizers more than is necessary to maintain cleanliness.

There are different levels of OCD behavior. Some people joke that they are OCD, when they are really perfectionists. OCD is also part of a type of personality disorder, called Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD), in which the patient does not even recognize a problem. Regular OCD is recognizable, but the patient is also sometimes embarrassed to confront it. Unlike being a perfectionist, OCD thoughts and behaviors are disruptive enough to mess with your daily plans or even your entire life.

With all of the awareness of OCD, there is no reason to feel embarrassed or to think that there is nothing you can do about it. There are different types of treatments ranging from therapy to medications. Therapy can be on an individual, family or group basis, depending on your preference and your doctor’s recommendations. Therapy is used to help you identify the obsessive thoughts you have to help control compulsive behaviors.

Medications for OCD are used to help prevent obsessive thoughts from occurring in the brain in the first place. These help level out different hormones such as serotonin. The most common OCD medications are anti-depressants such as Zoloft and Prozac. These are taken on a daily basis, often for the rest of your life. Sometimes, medication can interfere with your sleep. If this is the case, talk to your doctor and do not quit the medicine without his consent.

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Should You Take Precautions To Avoid Rape? Or Does It Sound Abominable?

November 30, 2010 by Leave a Comment

What precautions should one take to avoid rape? This is a very contentious issue for some. There are divergent opinions on this issue. One line of thought states that the act of rape is the result of the intention of the rapist. In such a scenario, placing the burden of avoiding rape on the victim does not make sense.

The approach believes that it does not matter whether the victim takes precautions or not. What matters is whether the rapist is it stopped from perpetrating the heinous crime or not. On the other hand, the other line of thought adopts a more practical and pragmatic approach. It points out that the victim is the suffering party irrespective of who has the intention and who commits the crime. In such a scenario, the victim can establish control by taking necessary precautions.

The latter approach is criticized for perpetrating the mindset that the victim, at the end of the day, is ultimately to blame for the rape. If precautions are taken and yet the crime occurs, the victim is blamed for not taking sufficient measures. This criticism that emphasis should be on the rapist and not on the victim seems logical and fair.

In such a scenario, striking the right balance becomes very difficult. This is something that each and every individual will have to choose depending on personal preferences. There is no need to make changes to one’s behavior or dressing style to avoid or prevent rape. However, it certainly is possible to protect oneself by opting for a pepper spray or undergoing a martial arts course.

At the end of the day, the person who stands to lose the most has to bear the responsibility of taking adequate security measures. Whether the measures are proactive or are based on a defensive mindset depends on personal choice. To simply blame others or to indulge in theoretical arguments is not the sensible way out.

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Rape And Sexual Abuse – Talk About It To Enable Victims To Speak Out

November 27, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Our attitude towards rape and sexual abuse indicates the flaws in the way women are treated in our society. For starters, people think of females as the victim the moment of somebody mentions rape or sexual abuse. There is no doubt that majority of the rape victims are women. However, there is also no denying that majority of the rape cases never get reported. In such a scenario, possibility of a large number of men and boys being raped and the cases going unreported cannot be denied.

Most of us presume that are such instances cannot happen in our family. We visualize rapes as acts perpetrated by strangers on female family member. The truth is that majority of the rapes are done by those individuals who were known to the victim. Secondly, the crime may not be restricted to females only. Even young male individuals are equally susceptible to sexual abuse.

This may not be a very appealing task but it is essential to talk about these things in the family. Each and every family member must be encouraged to be open about such matters. The last thing you want is for your family member to conclude that support may be absent due to the closed attitude towards rape or sexual abuse.

Many persons react with shock and disbelief when they discover that their family member suffered the trauma but did not trust them enough to be open about it. One cannot expect a victim of rape or sexual abuse to be completely logical and sensible about future actions. Rather, the onus is upon the family to hammer the message that it can be relied upon for support no matter what happens.

Such an approach may also lead to discussions about things that otherwise would not take place. Such transparency may help youngsters follow precautions that may reduce risk of mistakes that may lead to instances of sexual abuse.

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It Is Every Parent’s Duty To Educate Child About Sexual Health

November 25, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Responsible parents who he spend a lot of time and effort and teaching the importance of good health to their kids clam up when it comes to sexual health. Kids are very quick to realize that the parent is not comfortable talking about sexual health. This leads to a piquant situation where the person that the kid can trust the most becomes silent on such an important topic.

In such a scenario, the kid uses alternative source of information about sexual health. Needless to say, it often leads to complications when they choose the wrong person for help.

Every responsible parent has two options. Either you should not bother about the child or you should be prepared to fulfill all your responsibilities. Teaching your child about various facets and aspects of sexual health is your duty. You are one person who has the welfare of the child as top most priority. You will not break the trust that the child has. In such a scenario, encouraging your child to rely upon nameless and faceless so called experts found online or friends does not make sense.

There is a tendency to provide sexual health education to females and to leave males free to find information from wherever they want. There also a belief that the male child shall find this information from friends or adult content on the internet. Such an approach means that the male child will be encouraged to check inappropriate content on the internet. It is not the right place to know more about sexual education and sexual health.

If you are not comfortable discussing these matters with your kids, you should try to work through a trusted family member. You can even opt for counseling to find the right way to discuss these issues. Do not leave your child to take care of these issues on their own. That is only going to lead to unwanted complications.

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Teach Your Child How To Avoid Date Rape – Some Useful Pointers

November 16, 2010 by Leave a Comment
date rape carrot
Image by Foxtongue via Flickr

If your child is beginning to date, it is very important to explain what date rape is and how it can be avoided. Do not presume that your child is completely free of this risk because he or she is going out along with friends. All it takes is a single drink mixed with narcotics or drugs to cause your child to become unconscious. If nobody is aware of such a possibility, a date rape can easily result despite many friends being present.

Do not just focus on your child. You should make sure that all the friends of your children are also aware of the possibility of date rape. You must explain what it is and how it is normally perpetrated. You should warn about the consequences of accepting a drink from a stranger. You should explain the importance of having friends who can look out for each other.

It is one thing to have a lot of fun on a night out. However, it is a completely different thing to go around purposefully looking for trouble. You should encourage your child to have lots of fun but should also warn about the harmful consequences of meeting and getting intimate with strangers.

Make sure that you provide this information to your male child as well. Your male child may not be at high risk but knowledge may prove useful in helping others being targeted.

Making use of online resources to provide more information and to clarify doubts a smart move. However, do not make the mistake of using the internet as your replacement. It is not just a question of information and knowledge. It is also a question of establishing close bonds and telling the child that you are there no matter what happens. If the child sees you feeling uncomfortable, it may bypass you when it has doubts or needs support.

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Rehab-International.org: Discovering the Truth of Substance Abuse

November 15, 2010 by Leave a Comment
Substance Abuse
Image by kevinliuzzo via Flickr

It is an obvious progression, a link between indulgence and the consequence of excess: an individual offers his time to an addiction, devoting moments to the taste of his favored substance. He’s become dependent on the effects, the thrills within his veins, the colors made somehow sharp. It is a visceral reaction that he won’t deny – and he believes there’s no reason to. His life has not been altered. He can still function; he can still speak to those who know nothing of his latest obsession. There is no reason to worry. He is in control…. except he’s not.

One evening becomes too great of an experiment. He offers himself too many inhalations and too few cautions; and the world is shifted into base desires. He is not himself. He is instead shaped to impulses. And the girlfriend who was merely to spend hours studying with him becomes sudden prey.

Substance abuse is far more than a dependence on drugs. It is instead proven to heighten the chance for unprotected intercourse, rape, incest, the transmission of diseases and other sexual offenses. Addiction is not a singular ailment. It instead infects all who come into contact with it.

It is estimated (as of 2010) that 10 percent of all high school females are raped due to the involvement of alcohol. The use of Methamphetamine is proven to stimulate arousal and can triple the chances of an individual being unaware of their partner’s refusals. Taking Ecstasy can lower any user’s inhibitions and make them twice as likely to demand sex. And teens who over-indulge in any form of drugs are 20 percent more likely to be abused.

The facts are clear. The results are devastating.

It is imperative therefore that individuals understand the effects of substance abuse and seek help from sources like Rehab-International.org. Treatment can be accomplished – and it must be accomplished soon.

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The Alcohol Effect: lapalomatreatment.com

November 14, 2010 by Leave a Comment

It’s the needed taste, the excess of wine. A woman sits alone in the silence of her apartment, with only a bottle for company; others will soon join it, be tossed to the floor without care. This is a ritual, formed over the years: its origins denied, its purpose neglected. She does not admit why she drinks. She simply sips again and again. And the consequence is a shattered morning and a memory that refuses to wilt.

The woman was sexually abused; and the truth, she’s learned, can’t be hidden beneath alcohol. This doesn’t stop her from trying, though.

Those who have been assaulted will often become dependent on some form of liquor. The statistics are unfortunate: nine percent of those who suffered childhood rapes will become addicted to drinking before they have passed the age of 18. Those who were abused as adults, however, are likely to become users within the first year after their attack (13.9 percent).

And this becomes a danger as the effects of alcohol are exaggerated within the female form, as opposed to a man’s. Women greatly increase their chances for cirrhosis, hepatitis, heart failure, and breast cancer. When drinking becomes an indulgence, it offers no rewards – only worries.

It is still the most common drug of choice for those who have been victimized, however. It is estimated that 50 percent of women will select alcohol to help them forget their attack, as opposed to the 20 percent who will choose recreational drugs. This cannot continue. The damage caused by drinking is irreparable and potentially fatal.

It is vital, then, for women to find treatment. There are institutions available such as lapalomatreatment.com, that can offer therapy and support – both of which are essential in recognizing alcoholism and its cause.

Rape could never be forgiven. It cannot, however, become an addiction. Seek help and discover the necessary strength.

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Breaking the Pattern: MichaelsHouse.com

November 9, 2010 by Leave a Comment

It’s the terrible physicality, the force of skin to skin: a child is abused, meant to endure what should never exist. His youth is betrayed; his trust is broken. And he becomes a too complex creature, unable to reconcile his age and his worries. The conflict is immediate – and is offered then through acts of aggression, withdrawal, and substance abuse. The reasons are easy. The results, however, are not.

Those who suffer sexual complications during their formative years become highly distraught. Their emotions cannot be controlled and their bodies are often pained. Because of this they tend to rely on drugs and alcohol later in their lives, and this truth is as unfortunate as it is undeniable.

The emergence of addiction within young adults is often a symptom of victimization (specifically concerning incest). A staggering 57 percent of children who use illegal substances began after their first assault; while an estimated 45 percent of all women now seeking treatment for addiction were molested as girls. Those who had been raped – whether by an immediate family member or a stranger – were found to be 10 times more likely to attempt hard drugs.

The pattern is clear. It must now be erased.

Those who have been abused are encouraged not to give in to the temptation of drugs or alcohol. These are not cures (however appealing they may be). Instead treatment – for both the spiritual and physical worries – must be utilized. Organizations like MichaelsHouse.com must be sought out, with their many doctors and psychologists consulted. Anger, hatred, confusion: these are feelings that must be acknowledged. They cannot be buried beneath an addiction. Help must instead be secured to work toward a normal, healthy life.

And, though that may seem to be an unlikely thing, it is instead a possibility. It simply requires your strength and not any form of substances.

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Helping An Abuse Victim as a Friend or Family Member

November 2, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Do you have a friend, family member, or other loved one who is a victim of abuse? Do you know how to assist that person in the very best way? The support of loved ones can be a determining factor in how quickly a victim of abuse recovers. There are many things you can do to help.

First, listen. Victims need to communicate thoughts and feelings as they recover. This can be a difficult situation for you, but simply letting them explain how they feel or even just letting them vent about what they are feeling can make a huge difference. You can show support for the individual in many other ways, but through listening, you show that you are really there for them and that you truly care.

Help them seek professional help. In addition to your support, victims need sensitive medical counseling or other kinds of professional help.

Watch for signs that the victim might be inappropriately channeling stress. In some cases, victims of abuse may need help from drug and alcohol treatment centers because they’ve turned to substances or alcohol to help them cope with their situation.

You need to realize that there’s a limit to how much you can help. You may experience feelings of anger, frustration, and helplessness. You should suppress the urge to express those feelings to the survivor. This is very important during the times when the victim may be silent, crying or internalizing.

Remember that you may need special care in this situation as you strive to be sensitive to your loved one. These types of situations can be stressful and detrimental to the closest support person. Since you may not be able to express some emotions, you might want to find other friends or even trained professionals in whom you can confide.

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