According to the Mayo Clinic, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) “is a mental health condition that's triggered by a terrifying event. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event. Many people who go through traumatic events have difficulty adjusting and coping for a while. But with time and taking care of yourself, such traumatic reactions usually get better. In some cases, though, the symptoms can get worse or last f...

January is National Stalking Awareness Month.  Here are some statistics from http://stalkingawarenessmonth.org/ that will give you an idea how enormous the problem is.

According to the statistics (http://stalkingawarenessmonth.org/sites/default/files/Stalking%20Fact%20Sheet%202011_ENG%20press.pdf) 3.4million people over the age of 18 are stalked each year, 3 of 4 victims are stalked by someone they know, 30% of stalking victims are stalked by a current or former intimate partner – there a...

There is no nice way of saying this –so I’ll just say it, the numbers are out and they suck! The recent Centers For Disease Control (CDC) report on Intimate Partner Violence and Sexual Violence Survey found that more than one third or 42.4 million women have experienced rape, physical violence and stalking by an intimate partner sometime in their life –that means all women regardless of race, age or socioeconomic background.

As I say “If you want to see the face of domestic violence...

Yesterday I was one of many who talked about that Topeka, Kansas was no longer going to prosecute misdemeanor domestic battery. News flash – Topeka, Kansas has reversed that decision and will continue prosecuting those cases. Seems Topeka changed their position due to the outrage they received from the entire country (http://abcnews.go.com/US/kansas-da-prosecute-domestic-violence/story?id=14720962).  

I am thrilled that Topeka has reversed their decision but let’s look at the reason beh...

Well, October is here and there are rallies, ceremonies and other events to make the public aware of the impact of domestic violence. There are millions of women and children who endure domestic violence and for them the battle will extend well past October.  Let us not forget that somewhere in our country approximately 150 women are abused every hour. And you may know her. She may be the woman in the office next to you; she may be the woman on the coffee line with you every morning or standi...

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and I need your help. On August 26^th I wrote a blog about “What is Domestic Violence?” I point out that the definition of domestic violence put forth by both the CDC and WHO (World Health Organization) does not include economic abuse.

Economic abuse is a very real form of abuse and the “scars” from it may not be visible but will have lasting effects long after the abusive relationship has ended. These scars as I point out in the blog post...

Rihanna (the famous singer) and I have something in common; we are both survivors of domestic violence. Rihanna is rich and famous. I was a successful Wall Street executive.

We don’t fit the picture of what many think is the “face” of domestic violence. We are financially well off, we live in beautiful places and have beautiful homes, yet we both were victims of abuse.

So before you think that you know the “type” of woman who is a victim think again. In fact think of Weston, CT w...

Many may think that once a woman leaves an abusive relationship and manages to stay out her life is smooth sailing. Well think again; a woman may leave an abusive relationship but the effects of abuse can last for years. That is not just my belief but is also based on article.

According to an article from the Clark County, Indiana Prosecuting Attorney (http://www.clarkprosecutor.org/html/domviol/effects.htm “Battering is the single major cause of injury to women, more significant that auto...

On September 15, 2009 the National Network to End Domestic Violence (www.nnedv.org) organized a 24 hour census of domestic violence programs across the U.S. 1,648 out of 1,980 programs participated. The results of the census reported that 65,321 victims were served on that one day alone. That is about 46 victims every minute and on an annual basis over 23 million victims. The numbers tell us how huge the problem is but they don’t tell the human side of the story. Here are some stories behin...

What is domestic violence? If we look at the definition put forth by the CDC it says there are four main types of intimate partner violence (domestic violence), physical violence, sexual violence, threats of physical or sexual violence and psychological/emotional violence.

The WHO (World Health Organization) has similar definition “behaviour within an intimate relationship that causes physical, sexual or psychological harm, including acts of physical aggression, sexual coercion, psycholog...

I was interviewed yesterday by a reporter who seemed surprised that I was a victim of domestic violence. It was clear the reporter had a picture of what a domestic violence victim “looks like”. The picture the reporter had was of a low income woman who may also be on public assistance. As a Wall Street executive I didn't fit that picture.

Well I was abused and so many other women who have been and are being abused are just like me. Women who have successful careers are no less immune to ...

Do you have a plan for how you want your life to be? Or are you wandering through life fantasizing about how you wish your life would be?  

For years I wandered through life fantasizing about how I wished my life was different “from the hell I was living”. All I had were dreams and dreams don’t become a reality. I had to do something to make my dreams a reality.

It was not until I wrote down my vision (my dreams) for the life I wanted that I was then able to do something about it. Th...

An article I recently read in Science Daily is titled “Violent Upbringing May Lead To Domestic Violence.”

According to the article early exposure to a violent environment is likely to lead to domestic violence situations later in life. Logically if one is exposed to violence at home they are certainly more likely to either become victims or abusers. You can read the article to find out the reasons http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091005161330.htm.

But how big of a problem ...

In my June 21st post I talked about the economic reasons for women returning to their abuser.

Paula Horton in her The News of Tacoma article today cites other issues facing these women when they leave their abuser http://www.thenewstribune.com/2010/07/12/1260779/domestic-violence-victims-find.html.

Women return for a multitude of reasons. Many times the abuser is relentless and wears the woman down and women sometimes feel that it’s just easier to go back; as hard as she is trying to bre...

“The Business of Me” gives the participants methods they can use to overcome their fears of managing their own money. We have the participants write down their negative self-talk in a notebook and next to it write a countervailing positive affirmation. That sounds easy, doesn't it?

Well, it’s not easy in fact; it's a very difficult process. It takes a lot of work to be aware of all the negative chatter that goes on in our heads. But if we develop the skill of listening to the “noise...

Lynn Rosenthal the White House Advisor on Violence Against Women has written a blog post that talks about the benefits of the new health care bill for women.

 “A greater percentage of women are more likely than men to be uninsured or underinsured and to struggle to make ends meet”, she says. “In addition, those women who manage to get coverage are more likely to pay higher premiums than men. Women who suffer from preexisting conditions are often denied coverage altogether. “

S...

The other day I talked about shipping conference materials in my blog post at Nancy’s Story www.nancysstory.com,  today I am going to talk more about conferences. Specifically every conference has a theme. The theme sets the tone for the conference and it was my responsibility and one of my co-workers to determine the theme.

Time was passing and we had not come up with at theme. Since all conference materials have the theme printed on them unless you have a theme you have no materials. No ...

Domestic Violence victims and survivors carry feelings of shame. I know as I felt shame about having lived in a domestic violent situation for 20 years.

In an article by Carole Sanek which appeared in the Hernando Today a publication of the Tampa Tribune she talks about the feelings of shame victims and survivors live with.

As I said I lived with shame until I realized that I was the victim and he should be ashamed for treating me as he did. I am not shameful. I like so many other women had...

Michael Martinez wrote an article on RGJ.com today. The article talks about programs that are available in Washoe NV to prevent teen dating abuse. Mr. Martinez cites stories of some teen victims who were too ashamed to talk about what was happening with them.

Bob Herbert a columnist for The New York Times Op-ed today is titled “Paterson on the Brink”.  In his column he asks some very tough questions of Governor Paterson.

New York’s Governor Paterson and some in his administration seem to be shielding one of his closest advisors David Johnson from an ugly domestic violence issue.

Mr. Johnson violated his longtime companion by stripping off most of her clothes, choking her, slamming her against a dresser and preventing her from calling for h...

Rajaan Bennett had a wonderful future ahead. He was an honor student and a star running back who lead his Georgia high school team to its first undefeated season. He just received notice that he had gotten a full scholarship to Vanderbilt University.  He dreamed of becoming an architect. Now his dreams are over.

Rajaan Bennett is dead. He was shot to death by his mother’s former boyfriend. He died a hero trying to save his mother, his younger sister and his uncle.

You can read about Raja...

On February 23, 2010 The Washington Post had an article titled “Reid links rise in domestic abuse to unemployment; critics say tie is overblown”.  The article points out that Senator Reid has linked unemployment to the rise in domestic violence incidents. Senator Reid was highly criticized for that remark by some critics.

The group (and the most important group) who did agree with Senator Reid is battered women’s advocates who see their case load increase week after week. Yes it is tr...

Dr. Jeanne King PhD wrote an article titled “Domestic Abuse Therapy - 4 Fundamental Steps to Dismantling Your Partner's Denial”. Dr. King outlines a series of steps to help the abuser realize and understand the ramifications of their behavior.

I am not a therapist or psychiatrist; I am a survivor of domestic violence. All I know is if he hits you once he will probably hit you again, and again, and again. And yes you may love him but sometimes you may have no choice but to leave the rela...

I recently wrote a post about some statistics regarding adult women and domestic violence. The statistics were startling.  After that post I decided to find statistics regarding teens and Intimate Partner Violence.

Here’s what I found….

724 adolescent mothers between the ages of 12-18: one of every eight pregnant adolescents reported having been physically assaulted by the father of her baby during the preceding 12 months. Of these, 40 percent also reported experiencing violence at the ...

I am a survivor of domestic violence. For 20 years I lived 2 lives, one a competent corporate executive and the other a behind closed doors abused wife. I am often asked why I put up with the abuse for so many years and sometimes in an accusatory fashion. I don’t have an answer as to why I stayed for so long in that relationship.  

All too often people assume that women stay or return to domestic violence relationships because they have low self-esteem. However, the reasons women stay or r...

The Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence (www.caepv.org) is an organization that, since 1995, has brought together dozens of progressive companies to exchange ideas, collaborate on projects and use their influence to combat domestic violence.

Their mission is to aid in the prevention of partner violence by leveraging the strength and resources of the corporate community. The Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence believes that business can play an essential role in raising awarenes...

Shereen Beaulieu was murdered by her husband Bob Beaulieu. Here is Shereen’s story http://www.weau.com/home/headlines/84078197.html.

Every week I read about at least one woman who has died at the hands of an intimate partner.

Domestic Violence hurts us all!

Ms. Bennett has written a thoughtful article and one that should be read by all. She does not judge women who are in domestic violent relationships but provides resources for them to use.

Ms. Bennett also educates us as to what domestic violence is and its many forms. She also points out that the woman who looks like she is living the perfe...

Statistics are meant to make a point.

Take this statistic for instance; 4.8 million women are either physically abused or raped by an intimate partner each year that according to The National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. 4,800,000 is a big number no matter how you express it.

But let’s now take a real close look at that number.  If 4,800,000 women are physically abused or raped by an intimate partner annually that equates to 13,150 women who are physically abused or raped by...

One article in TheTownTalk.com which serves Alexandria, Pineville and Central Louisiana titled “Our View: Victims of Abuse Need Help -- Right Now” points out that Louisiana has the highest rates of deaths due to domestic violence, this according to the FBI.

Some...

Olivia Marchand and Karen LeDuc came from the same small town of Westford MA. Both were victims of homicides, Olivia was shot to death by her Dad (yes I said her Dad) and her Mom was also shot but has survived.

Karen LeDuc was allegedly shot to death by her husband. The small town of Westford MA is shaken by these 2 domestic violence shootings.

According to the District Attorney Gerry Leone when speaking about Karen LeDuc, “There may have been marital discord and there may have bee...

Tanya Arja a Fox 13 news reporter in Tampa Bay area reported on November 24, 2009 “It has been an extremely violent few months for women in the Bay Area, with a number of domestic violence cases that have been very public, including the shooting yesterday at the south Sarasota County courthouse.”

The article further state “Investigators say 69-year-old Carolyn Provencal's husband Alan shot her to death outside the south Sarasota County courthouse. She was on her way to a hearing on the...

News8Austin.com reports that “According to the Domestic Violence Research Center, 25 percent of women experience domestic violence in their lifetime".

Here is the link to the entire story http://www.news8austin.com/content/headlines/?ArID=259586&SecID=2

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates almost a million incidents of domestic violence per year. Women account for 85 percent of all domestic violence victims.

Domestic abuse, also referred as spousal abuse, occurs when ...

This is a series of articles by Doyle Wheeler which appeared in the Spokane Homicide Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-14615-Spokane-Homicide-Examiner~y2009m11d22-Domestic-violence-against-women-is-a-worldwide-pandemic.

Mr. Wheeler says and truly believes “A man does not beat a woman, men do not beat women. Immature punk ass boys, be they in their teens or in their 70’s beat women.”

Many women in this country suffer silently as they feel they have no way out of their situation.  In ...