How to Help Someone Experiencing Domestic Violence/Intimate Partner Violence

 

By Purvi Bhakta, Pre-licensed Mental Health Counselor

Domestic violence is when someone repeatedly physically and emotionally abuses another, in order to gain/maintain control over them. Domestic Violence (DV) can occur between a parent and child, siblings, or even roommates, while Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) occurs between romantic partners. Regardless of which your loved one is experiencing, the control will typically show up first as emotional abuse and then later as physical violence. Seeing a loved one go through this can be dysregulating and upsetting. However if you suspect someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, know that you have the ability to help them.

Early Warning Signs That a Loved One May Be Experiencing Domestic Violence

  • Frequent physical markings such as black eyes, bruises, cuts, and discoloration on the neck
  • Constantly having to be in contact with their partner and asking permission to go places
  • Not having their own mode of transportation
  • May refer to their partner as “moody”, “jealous”, or having a “bad temper”
  • Becoming extremely apologetic, meek, and timid
  • Presents with low self esteem
  • Seems constantly anxious and on edge
  • May begin to isolate themselves from friends and family
  • Loses enjoyment in activities they usually enjoy
  • Increases in their “clumsiness” as an excuse for the physical markings  

How to Help

  • If you suspect a loved one is experiencing domestic violence in their relationship, before asking them, ensure that the warning signs are there.
  • Once you have ensured the warning signs are there, approach your loved one and let them know that you are there to support, listen, and help them however they would like you to
  • Create a safety plan with your loved one
  • Provide them with local and national resources
    • LOCAL (North County)
      • Center for Community Solutions
        • 760-747-6282 or 888-385-4657
      • Women’s Resource Center
        • 760-757-3500
      • Community Resource Center
        • 877-633-1112
  • Understand that they may not be ready to leave their DV relationship immediately, however let them know that you will be there when they are ready.
  • Encourage them to make a counseling appointment at MiraCosta College Health Services to discuss options.

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Understanding Interpersonal Violence: A Call to Action for National Coming Out Day and LGBTQPIA2S+ History Month

Image
By Van Ethan Levy, LMFT 118131, LPCC 8269  Van is a queer, non-binary, trans, AFAB (Assigned Female at Birth), POC (Person of Color), dually licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist and a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. Van is passionate about holding space for all intersections of one’s identity(ies). Van is dedicated to social justice & believes it is vital to cultivate an awareness of our own internal strengths, specifically our resilience as we continue to grow and discover ourselves. Van also provides trainings on trans and non-binary identities and is author of the interactive book Exploring My Identity(ies) (2020). As we approach National Coming Out Day on October 11th and celebrate LGBTQPIA2S+ History Month, it’s crucial to shed light on a pervasive issue that often goes unnoticed: Interpersonal Violence (IPV). Many individuals may not recognize the signs of healthy versus unhealthy dynamics in relationships. IPV can take many forms, including physic...
Read more

Here’s why you shouldn’t test for COVID

Image
  By Kim Marquardt, RN MSN This blog post is from the Nurse Kim archives of myth busting. I want to share some "alternative" or maybe just lesser known health and wellness viewpoints for you to chew on. *These posts are not intended as official medical advice. They ARE meant to be fun, informative, and thought provoking, hopefully sparking an interest for you to do your own research (you can start with the links I provide!) and discover the marvels of the human body, and how it can function at its optimal performance level if we understand how it works and interacts with our environment and our diet. I have a passion for health and wellness through lifestyle and nutrition and have done thousands of hours of research in addition to being a registered nurse for 23 years. I have done A LOT of self-experimentation in and around diet, lifestyle, body care, and supplementation and have spent a lot of time looking into the science behind it all (or lack thereof!). Check back weekly ...
Read more

TWO QUESTIONS: Adela Sanchez on Narcan Trainings

Image
TWO QUESTIONS FOR Adela Sanchez on Narcan Training  1.       What led you to bring Narcan training to MiraCosta? Narcan (naloxone) training in community colleges, especially when provided by a nurse, offers numerous benefits. As someone who grew up in this community being able to offer training for students, faculty, and staff is especially important to me. There are so many obstacles in healthcare so when there are opportunities for free programs and resources, I am immediately drawn to them. Empowering community members, especially in a college setting, fosters a sense of responsibility and community care. Trained individuals can act confidently in emergencies, contributing to a safer environment for everyone! I’ve seen too many accidents turn fatal so anything we can do to help is worth it. ·          Narcan equips us with the ability to respond swiftly to opioid overdoses. This can save lives in situation...
Read more