Domestic violence and abuse is becoming a big issue. Programs for treatment of victims and the abusers have certainly increased. You don’t hear a whole lot about abuse of women, though.  Most women have a hard time coming out and telling someone that they have been abused. If they are still in the abusive relationship it is harder to tell someone because they are in fear of what may happen to them. If they have gotten out of their relationship, it may be hard to talk about because it was so traumatizing. Abuse is something that stays with you for the rest of your life and carries over into your next relationships. There can be things that will trigger a flashback or remembrance of their abusive relationship.

                Men who are abusive have issues that they must work out. No one can expect them to change overnight and certainly don’t ever think that their behavior will get better if you stay with them. That tends to enable them to think that their behavior is acceptable and normal. It can be just the slightest thing to tip off their temper. Usually, if a man is abusive he grew up in an abusive home where he possibly watched his parent’s abusive relationship. He may not understand his actions be it is the type of environment that he grew up in and considers normal.  

                Since abuse has become a more prevalent issue, programs are expanding for counseling or therapy. There are groups out there for teens, mothers, mothers of sexually abused children, lesbians, and many more. Abuse does not only affect the victim and the abuser. It affects everyone around them. This includes parents, children, friends, co-workers, etc. These programs are designed to educate and help those who are affected by abuse. The more we educate ourselves, the more we are able to help. Having someone to talk and be supportive can make all the difference in someone’s life. If we are educated, we can also try to help victims out of their abusive relationship and on a road to a recovery and a better life.