Welcome to week seven of sharing excerpts from the book, Fierce: A New Generation of Female Empowerment. This book is for those who have a desire to get the most out of life. Those who want to make positive change, but are not sure how to make it happen. It is for any age female who needs a reminder of how fierce they can be. It is for young women who will soon be out of high school and on their way to college or some other adventure. Share these posts with all the girls and women in your life. Let them know the book can be read for free online or that a soft cover book is available for sale at Bookemon.com. Enjoy!
Domestic Violence
A peaceful, loving home is a right we expect to grow up with. Unfortunately some people use violence in relationships and at home to control their family. This is called Domestic Violence. Most people think victims of domestic violence are obvious to spot because they often have bruises and broken bones. However abuse can also be emotional or financial. Your abuser at home may use hurtful words and be manipulative or put your health and life in danger. They may control you with money and refuse to allow you access to money or keep you away from family and friends. They will convince you that you are wrong and they are right. This is not acceptable behavior.
Empowered girls are NOT victims. You are STRONG and BRAVE. When you fight back and defend yourself YOU ARE A SURVIVOR.
There are options if someone at home is hurting you. There are resources in your community that can stop your abuser. Your first step is to tell someone. This may seem terrifying because you are afraid your abuser will find out and get mad at you. But it is a step you must take before anyone can help you.
Tell someone you trust such as a friend’s parent, a teacher, a coach, a counselor, a neighbor or a relative. If you keep quiet the abuse will continue. No person has the right to hit you or verbally abuse you. Not your parents, your siblings, your teacher, your coach your friends or anyone. Your life matters. YOU ARE IMPORTANT! Call the Domestic Violence National Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or 1-800-787-3224
A popular movement in India is the Gulabi Gang, aka the women in pink saris. This group of around 300,000 women travels throughout their communities persuading men to stop beating their wives and to stop corrupt government officials from abusing power. To stop domestic abuse a large group will visit abusers and tell them to stop. If the abuse continues, the women return and beat the men with sticks. It isn’t just about hitting back, it is about empowering women with rights as equal as men. This is a proven way that everyone can be lifted from poverty and violence. The founder, Sampat Pal Devi says, “I told them wherever you go you’ve got to work hard to feed yourself. That is what empowering women is all about, not making men and women fight.”
Sampat was married at age 9, sent to live with her husband at 12 and gave birth to her first child at 13. She worked for a government health agency before deciding that working directly in her community by educating women, teaching income generating skills and stopping abuse and corruption was more suited to her personally. *(6)
Being independent and single may sound bad, but it is better than being with someone who hurts you. Don’t fall into a trap that you always need to be in a relationship for validation. Dating is fun, but it takes up a lot of time so why waste that time with someone who doesn’t really love you?
• Why would someone who loves you hurt you?
• How does it feel when someone you love treats you badly?
• Do you want to be in a relationship with someone who doesn’t trust you, follows you, and constantly keeps track of you?
• Does that sound like love?
• Does that sound like someone who doesn’t trust you?
• Have you been told that you are unlovable by someone and that you should be lucky they stay with you?
• If so, why does that sound true to you?
• If so, why does that sound wrong to you?… Continue reading at Bookemon.com
Individual Empowerment 
You are so right! It’s why I like to share what I learn. Yesterday I walked by a house with a lot of yelling. My first thought was I hope they somehow learn to control their anger. In the past my first thought would have been that they were so trashy since they couldn’t find more mature ways to argue. Education about domestic violence has taught ME not to be so judgmental as we all have to learn how to deal with issues like anger in our own time and our own way. It’s all about access to information.
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Leah,
I’m hoping as more women are educated about domestic violence and are empowered to speak out there will be a decrease in abuse. Education is empowerment.
Roberta
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