2-8th March is a week that is focused on ending Domestic and Sexual Violence and is called NO MORE WEEK.
Sadly Domestic Violence is very common for women and also for men. You may be concerned about a friend or colleague that you think may be experiencing violence but you are not sure how to approach the subject.
Here are some ideas about how you might ask but indirectly:
How are things going at home?
How do you feel about the relationships in your life?
How does your partner treat you?
Are you having any problems with your partner?
You can also Frame the question:
I am sorry if this seems a little direct and I don’t want to cause you any offence, but I know one in four women and one in six men experience domestic violence and I have noticed…[that you have some injuries/house has been damaged]. So I’m just wondering if you need any help?
However sometimes if you can see the signs that someone is injured you should ask much more direct questions:
I notice you have a number of bruises/scratches, how did they happen? (if explanation seems improbably continue to probe, for example: Did someone do this to you?)
Every couple fights at times – what are your fights like at home? Do the fights ever become physical?
Has anyone at home hit you or tried to injure you in any way?
Have you ever been touched in a way that made you feel uncomfortable?
Has anyone ever made you to do something sexual when you did not want to?
Has your partner ever refused to practice safe sex?
Here is a really good simple outline of questions you can ask based on the word SAFE
S = Stress and Safety
What stresses do you experience in your relationships? Do you feel safe in your relationship?
A = Afraid and Abused
People in relationships sometimes fight. What happens when you and your partner disagree?
Have there been situations in your relationship where you have felt afraid?
Have you been physically hurt or threatened by your partner?
Has your partner forced you to engage in sexual activities that you didn’t want?
F = Friends and Family
Are your friends and family aware of what is going on? It would be a good idea to tell at least one person who you are close to.
E = Emergency
Do you have a safe place to go in an emergency? It is important to find three people that you could call if you needed to go to their home quickly.
It is important for all of us to be aware that sadly someone we know could be a victim of abuse – if we ask questions we may be able to help them get the support they need and deserve.
(Source www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/adapted from Standford University School of Medicine)
#nomoreweek #Enddomesticviolence #Endsexualviolence