Jenny Allen’s Voice ~ Domestic Violence Awareness (Introduction)

This month has been designated Domestic Violence (DV) Awareness month. So for this month my posts will be dedicated to raising awareness. These posts will be called ” Jenny Allen’s Voice” as I am lending my voice to the women who are unable to speak for themselves.

Lending your voice to those who are unable to speak up is so important. We can use our voice to profit ourselves, in fact we do it everyday but I would like to encourage you to lend your voice to causes that need it.

In this series I will be sharing,

1. 10 myths about DV

2. DV and the church

3.  How to support a friend

4.  How a victim can keep safe

5. What your church can do to help

6. Life after DV.

DV does not respect social class, colour, culture, socioeconomic status and even gender. DV against men by women is coming to light at an alarming rate but the majority of cases are against women.

What is Domestic Violence?

Women’s Aid (Womansaid.org) uses the Home Office definition of domestic violence which is:

“Any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality. This can encompass but is not limited to the following types of abuse:

• psychological

• physical

• sexual

• financial

• emotional

Controlling behaviour is: a range of acts designed to make a person subordinate and/or dependent by isolating them from sources of support, exploiting their resources and capacities for personal gain, depriving them of the means needed for independence, resistance and escape and regulating their everyday behaviour.

Coercive behaviour is: an act or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, or frighten their victim.”*) uses the Home Office definition of domestic violence which is:

In the UK domestic violence accounts for between 16% and one-quarter of all recorded violent crime.In anyone year there are 13  million separate incidents of physical violence or threats against women from partners or former partners. (www.womansaid.org accessed 25.08.2015).

In my next post I will be sharing 3 myths of domestic violence.