Purple Ribbon ? Ashley.edu

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness month. ?This month is a time for personal reflection and it is also a time to stand for those who are unable to do so themselves.

This month is for all of the women who have lost their lives, literally or figuratively, to physical violence and psychological warfare.

This month is for the children whose bones were broken and cries went unheard.

This month is for all of the men and women who suffer in silence and live their entire lives unaware that violence, jealously, and control do not equal love.

This month is a time to pay reverence to the activists who have fought for the social change necessary to nationally recognize this ever-spreading epidemic.

This is time to pay tribute to the advocates who respond to crisis calls in the middle of the night, while the rest of us are sleeping soundly. ?For all of the advocates who shelter those in their time of greatest need, this month is also for you.

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I think that some view domestic violence as an over-saturated area of activism, but I feel that this is a dangerous mindset to have. ?As individuals and as a society, we have to be ever-mindful of the roots of domestic violence ? power and control, patriarchy ? and how those broad concepts trickle down into our everyday lives. ?Unhealthy relationships, whether physical violence is present or not, are all around us. ?The moment it is assumed that someone else ?is taking care of the problem,? or that domestic violence is not relevant anymore, is the moment that a blind-eye is turned to the suffering of those right in front of us.

Whether or not you know someone personally affected by domestic violence is irrelevant. ?The fact that it even exists at all should be enough to warrant everyone in their community to become more educated and involved in eradicating all forms of violence.

Domestic violence activism does not have to be an all-consuming change of lifestyle. ?Activism can be as simple as understanding some of the red flags?of DV, so that you know what to look for in your relationships and can recognize it in others. ?Activism can be as simple as not blaming?a loved one for staying in a violent relationship, because you know there are many barriers to leaving, and leaving is the most dangerous time. ?Activism is knowing your local resources?and where someone can go when they are in need of shelter and support.

As a social worker, I am always striving to be a better activist and advocate. ?Educating myself, and then sharing that knowledge with others, is the most important part of what I do. ?Knowledge should not equal elitism. ?For each person who takes it upon themselves to learn a little more about domestic violence, a new advocate is born.

If you do nothing else this month, please talk to your children, sisters, brothers, students, or peers about what it means to be in a healthy relationship. ?Talk about boundaries, consent, and self-respect. ?Domestic violence is a cycle of abusive behavior, but that cycle of violence could end with your help.

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Source: http://ashleyedu.wordpress.com/2011/10/02/purple-ribbon/

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