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Guest Post From Alex @ Late Enough: Domestic Violence Awareness Month Is Every Month
The awesome Alex from Late Enough is joining us today, with a post she was kind enough to allow us to repost. If you’d like to be a guest blogger, contact us to get involved.Almost 25% of all U.S. women have experienced domestic violence.
Focus
He finally broke my glasses.
The company claimed indestructibility.
But I knew better,Even then, years ago,
I told the saleswoman, nothing lasts forever.
Most things hardly last at all.
But she was almost right,The glasses lasted longer than most.
When I thought my face would never hold a pair
Between the broken nose and eyes to match,
The glasses waited on the hospital tray,For an hour or a day, once for a week.
Rising, I would put the wire rims on my shame
And he would pick me up a block away
In his blue Ford, full of apologies and promises.The ride never lasted long enough.
As the sun rises against my blurred hospital bed,
I cradle the cracked, delicate lenses
And gradually lift them to my face.I know forever when I see it.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, you can get help. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) & 1.800.787.3224 (TTY) for ANONYMOUS and CONFIDENTIAL HELP 24/7. Calling may be safer than using your computer since computers can be monitored.
If you are a healthcare worker, your patients have experienced domestic violence. Are you screening them? Do you know that domestic violence leads to lead to over 73,000 hospitalizations and 1,500 deaths? Feel free to read more at US Dept. of Health and Human Services’ page where there are programs and tools for healthcare workers on domestic violence.
If you work, encourage your employer to create a comprehensive workplace response to domestic violence. It DOES effect your workplace. Absenteeism, increased healthcare costs, reduced productivity and the fact that we are ALL human beings even at work.
If you have four friends, you may have a friend suffering from domestic violence. It happens to all races, ethnicities, sexual orientations and social statuses. Please take the time to learn, pray educate and donate.
These statistics and information are a conglomeration of the Family Violence Prevention Fund, the US Department of Health and Human Services, the Best Business Bureau, and US Department of Labor. The poem is by me. It was published in a local chapbook, ‘Sound and Sense’ and my friend, who runs a writing workshop for women in prison, asked to use it there as well.
Author: Alex @LateEnough
Alex Iwashyna blogs at LateEnough.com mostly about life, parenting, marriage, politics, culture, religion and her inability to wake up in the morning and not hate everyone. Expect blog appearances by aliens, alienation, fire and rude Southern people who offend her Yankee sensibilities. Find her on her blog, Facebook or the Twitter.7 Comments to “Guest Post From Alex @ Late Enough: Domestic Violence Awareness Month Is Every Month”
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You don’t have to be a woman to be on the receiving end of domestic violence.
Bob, you are correct — both men and women are victims of intimate partner violence. No one deserves to be abused.
Alex, Thank you for this post.
Everyone, we can all make a difference.
Learn more about intimate partner violence (IPV).
Talk about the issue and how it impacts you. Talk about IPV and how it impacts your community.
Help a friend. Help a program.
Show love and compassion to those impacted by violence. Show love and compassion to your loved ones.
Change a mind (maybe your own). Change a life. Change our world.
“If you are a healthcare worker, your patients have experienced domestic violence.” This statement hit me in the gut. It also reminded me of a form I recently filled out at the pediatrician’s office. It was a one line form with a yes and no check box. Although I can’t remember verbatim what was written it went something like: Violence effects many families. Do you need to speak with us today about violence affecting your family.
I suppose it’s a start.
Also, stirring poem.
[...] Domestic Violence Awareness Month Is Every Month: Have you ever wondered about my poetry? This post includes a poem by me that was used in a women’s prison writing group! And more importantly, ideas and statistics on domestic violence for those who are survivors, health care workers, employees and employers. So I’m pretty sure there’s something for you. Click here to read more! [...]
I love the poem, Alex. Thank you for writing it, sharing it with us and raising awareness about domestic violence.
Wow! So Moving! Thank you Alex!!!
Love the poem, Alex!!!!