Domestic violence: An unspeakable horror, yet a reality for far too many people today. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), twenty people are abused every minute by an intimate partner. “During one year, this equates to more than ten million women and men.”
Some people think that violence happens to “other” people and that they are immune. Domestic violence couldn’t possibly happen in my neighborhood or home, they may think. Unfortunately, this is a dangerous myth, and the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) seeks to put those misconceptions to rest. “Domestic violence does not discriminate… [and] anyone can be a victim of domestic violence, regardless of race, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or economic status.”
Sometimes, people equate the word violence with their physical forms. And while physical assault is one form of domestic violence. Women and men can become victims through sexual assault, emotional abuse, and stalking as well. The violence isn’t limited to the individuals in an intimate relationship, either. The NCADV reports that, “1 in 15 children are exposed to intimate partner violence each year, and 90% of these children are eyewitnesses to the violence.”
Sadly, many victims may not have been made aware of or even know that a domestic violence safety plan could assist them during these harrowing times. So don’t wait until it’s too late: follow the domestic violence prevention tips below to keep yourself – and your loved ones – safe:
Precautions to prevent domestic violence (and safety tips for domestic violence victims):
Domestic violence safety plan
The National Domestic Violence Safety (NDVS) Hotline defines a domestic violence safety plan as a “personalized, practical plan that includes ways to remain safe while in a relationship, planning to leave, or after you leave. Safety planning involves how to cope with emotions, tell friends and family about the abuse, take legal action and more.”
While people don’t seek out abusive partners and relationships, if they find they have become a victim, it’s important to have a plan. The NDVS Hotline’s website encourages victims to take practical actions, including removing weapons from the home (or keeping them locked up); keeping the car fueled up if you need to make a quick escape; educating children to contact help (but not get involved, lest they get hurt); and keeping a phone nearby at all times.
If your partner becomes violent, practicing an escape route in advance is another critical measure you can take, as well as learning how to gauge your partner’s “level of force… to assess physical danger… before it occurs.”
Leave the relationship
The NDVS Hotline’s website also has tips for leaving an abusive relationship. Before leaving, keep records (pictures, journals, documentation of visits to the hospital, calls to police, etc.) of the abuse. Your best chance for being believed – and pressing charges that lead to a conviction – is to have irrefutable proof of the violence. As emotional as this is for you, the legal system operates on reasoning, logic, artifacts, and evidence. The more information and proof you can provide, the better.
When leaving, take important paperwork and identification with you (see https://www.thehotline.org/help/path-to-safety/#leaving for a list of items to take with you). Before and after you escape, let others know about your situation and location (school, family, friends, and work).
To prevent your partner from finding you or entering your home, be sure to change your locks. Alter any predictable routines where your partner could find you. Most Important install a security system in your home or apartment. [6] You may even wish to check into a shelter as you can plan your next steps.
Purchase the Silent Beacon
In addition to your domestic violence safety plan, carry a personal safety device with you at all times. Silent Beacon has created a lightweight, Bluetooth-enabled device that eliminates the need to log into your cell phone to call 911 during an emergency. Instead, the small, portable Silent Beacon allows you to press a single button to alert emergency personnel that you need immediate assistance.
The Silent Beacon pairs with the free Silent Beacon app to generate alerts for up to seven contacts, including friends, family… even 911. When you press the button, all of your contacts will receive a text, email, phone call – or all three. The GPS technology will allow first responders to quickly pinpoint your location and send emergency assistance as well. Best of all, the device has a silent mode, allowing you to notify emergency responders of your situation without alerting your attacker. And in the event that you do want to communicate with your contacts, the Beacon has a two-way communication feature that you can enable.
There are no costly fees, charges, or startup costs for the Silent Beacon, either. The $99 Beacon is all you need to ensure peace of mind, day or night.
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While having a domestic violence safety plan won’t guarantee that you will avoid becoming a victim. By following these domestic violence prevention tips will give you a feeling of empowerment and control.
Domestic violence safety is a serious issue. Silent Beacon is here to face the issue, head-on. And while domestic issues are complicated and nuanced, in the event that you find yourself in an inescapable situation, with Silent Beacon, help is on the way.
To learn more and to purchase your Silent Beacon, visit https://www.SilentBeacon.com
[1] https://ncadv.org/statistics
[2] https://nnedv.org/content/domestic-violence-doesnt-discriminate/
[3] https://ncadv.org/statistics
[4] https://www.thehotline.org/help/path-to-safety/
