Domestic Violence, The Rest Of The Story

This article will appear in the local papers in Leon County, Texas. I want to share it with my Blog viewers and FB buddies. I pray that lives will be changed from this article. Norma Threet, Support Services Director Over the past few weeks you have read articles on the signs of Domestic Violence, the statistics and ways you can help curb this problem in Leon County and the surrounding area. This week I want to address what happens after the victim leaves her abuser. Often she has no job, no transportation and often has left with nothing but her clothes and children. This is where our program gets involved for the long term, helping her find resources, for a place to stay, a job, and counseling for her emotional wellbeing. We offer individual counsel and guidance, when she feels she is ready there is a support group of women who have also been victims. Many of these women have great stories to tell of their road to recovery, how they have changed their lives, are no longer victims but on their way to becoming survivors. We do this by using the principles in the Bible, teaching how to apply them to their daily life. Helping them learn how to make better decisions,to learn from their past mistakes,avoiding the pitfalls that got them into abusive situations. To restore their self esteem, learn how to forgive their abuser and overcome their anger. To understand that God loves them and wants them to live a life for Him. A life that is full of the love, joy, and peace that only He can give, to put the past behind them and move forward to a better life for themselves and their children. They will never forget, but they can choose to not remember. I am asked all the time why and how do you do this ?? I have lived the life these women and children are living. My childhood was filled with a Dad who used alcohol to escape his demons and a Mom that no matter what I did or how I did it was never good enough. My early adult years were spent looking for love and peace in all the wrong places, my children paid the price just as I had. Domestic Violence is a curse that follows our families for generations, but there is hope and help for those who want to escape. This curse can be broken by learning who Jesus is and who you are in Him. I know it works, because I have changed on the inside, I am no longer a victim of my childhood or the mistakes I made of my own choosing. I now have that joy, love, and peace He promised, it did not happen overnight, it took several years, but it has all been worth it. Today my Dad is a recovered alcoholic who met Jesus at 65, my Mom also knows the saving grace Jesus gives. I now have the privilege of helping other women down the road to victory !!Today I can truly say, "There is Life After Domestic Violence !!" Do you relate to what I have said ? Maybe you have a friend or loved one that needs to start over, stop the cycle of abuse, get her life in order. Show her this article, give her my number 903-322-2399. All are services are free and confidential. Possibly you are a survivor and would like to be a part of this ministry, pray and seek God's will. We have a training class in November, call me for more information. Many ask how can I help ?? Come to the garage sale fundraiser sponsored by Doc Holladay on November 7, 8 AM - ? We are still accepting good useable items, drop off at Doc's office, Mon-Wed-Fri, afternoons. All proceeds will go to help restore and maintain our temporary/emergency shelter, Judy's House. Most important of all PRAY, that we can continue "Changing Lives One Family At A Time".

October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month

October has been designated as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time set aside to help educate the public on this terrible epidemic that destroys our homes from the inside out. The place that God meant to be safe and peaceful, is often a battlefield of verbal and physical abuse. The home becomes a living hell and often those who reside there would rather go anywhere but home. I know because I lived in such a home as a child and an adult. Today through God's grace and mercy I am no longer a VICTIM, I am a SURVIVOR. It has been a long and often painful road to recovery, but it has been worth it, as today I am through the Holy Spirit helping to lead other Victims down that road to becoming a Survivors. I want to share some statistics with you t from Law Enforcement and the National Domestic Violence Counsel. 78% of the prison population were abused as children 96% of all prostitutes were victims of child sexual abuse 80% of runaways cite child abuse as the major reason they run Over 55% of all female drug addicts were sexually abused as children More than 2,000 infants and young children die from abuse each year Every 4 seconds a child is abused Every 7 minutes a child is killed from abuse Every 3 minutes a woman is killed by violence A woman is beaten every 9 seconds in the U.S. Domestic violence is the most under-reported crime in the country On average, 4 women are murdered every day by their male partner in the U.S. Women in the U.S. are in 9 times more danger in their own homes that they are in the street One in three women will be abused by a male partner during their lifetime. Domestic/Family Violence is tearing the very fabric of our homes apart. I have been counseling in my local community for 8 years, we are seeing more violence from family members other than the male/female relationships. Mother/Daughter, Grandparents/Grandchildren, Sisters/Sisters, any and all combination of family members are at odds with each other that escalates to the point that law enforcement is called and often entails a trip to the hospital. Domestic Violence happens to all, it has no boundary of race or economics. The churched and the unchurched, the answer is we all need a revelation of WHO Jesus is and what He can do in our life IF we will let Him. Until next time,"Keep Your Eyes On Jesus, He Has ALL The Answers !!"