VAWnet  -  http://www.vawnet.org/
National Online Resource Center

on Violence Against Women  

The online resource for advocates working to end domestic violence, sexual assault, and other violence in the lives of women and their children.

If You Are In Danger Call 911

or

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800 799 SAFE |

Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN) Hotline: 800 656 HOPE |

National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline: 866 331 9474

 

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VAW - http://www.vaw.umn.edu/
Violence Against Women Online Resources

The site began in 1997 to ensure that products developed with Violence Against Women Act funds and other useful resources were widely available via the World Wide Web and accessible to OVW grantees, sub-grantees, and the general public.

Document Library - http://www.vaw.umn.edu/library/

1. Advocacy
2. Child Custody and Protection
3. Criminal Justice Response

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MINICAVA Electronic Clearinghouse  -  http://www.mincava.umn.edu/
Minnesota Center Against Violence and Abuse

articles • bibliographies • courses • events • funding opportunities • jobs • multimedia • organizations • research centers • service providers • training

 

Love is Respect - http://www.loveisrespect.org/
National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline

 

"Dating abuse can happen to  anyone, at any age, no matter what race or religion they are, and no matter what their level of education or economical background. Dating abuse also occurs in same sex relationships.

Dating abuse isn’t an argument every once in a while, or a bad mood after a bad day. Dating abuse (or Relationship Abuse) is a pattern of controlling behavior that someone uses against a girlfriend or boyfriend.

Abuse can cause injury and even death, but it doesn’t have to be physical. It can include verbal and emotional abuse - constant insults, isolation from family and friends, name calling, controlling what someone wears-and it can also include sexual abuse."

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Violence in the workplace and in the schools is on the increase.  Awareness of the symptoms are key to identifying and protecting yourself - whether it is at work or home.  It is not gender specific.

Sandra L Brown, M.A., a national expert on has released a report that reveals how to protect yourself from becoming a victim.  Sandra wrote the following booklet that she is offering for free after the Virginia Tech tragedy.  The booklet outlines 40 danger signs that help to predict who may be at risk for violent behavior. 

The report is free of charge to the public to help individuals spot the signs of the risk factors that can lead to abusive and homicidal behavior.  Her philosophy is "Being able to spot these signs - and knowing what to do about it - could mean the difference between life and death.

http://www.howtospotadangerousman.com/dangerousshooter.htm
 

The National Domestic Violence Hotline

 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)    1-800-787-3224 (TDD)

 

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AM I BEING ABUSED? Checklist

Look over the following questions. Think about how you are being treated and how you treat your partner. Remember, when one person scares, hurts or continually puts down the other person, it’s abuse.

Does your partner....

____Embarrass or make fun of you in front of your friends or     family?

____Put down your accomplishments or goals?

____Make you feel like you are unable to make decisions?

____Use intimidation or threats to gain compliance?

____Tell you that you are nothing without them?

____Treat you roughly - grab, push, pinch, shove or hit you?

____Call you several times a night or show up to make sure you are where you said you would be?

____Use drugs or alcohol as an excuse for saying hurtful things or abusing you?

____Blame you for how they feel or act?

____Pressure you sexually for things you aren’t ready for?

____Make you feel like there "is no way out" of the relationship?

____Prevent you from doing things you want - like spending time with your friends or family?

____Try to keep you from leaving after a fight or leave you somewhere after a fight to "teach you a lesson"?

 

Do You...

____Sometimes feel scared of how your partner will act?

____Constantly make excuses to other people for your partner’s behavior?

____Believe that you can help your partner change if only you changed something about yourself?

____Try not to do anything that would cause conflict or make your partner angry?

____Feel like no matter what you do, your partner is never happy with you?

____Always do what your partner wants you to do instead of what you want?

____Stay with your partner because you are afraid of what your partner would do if you broke up?

If any of these are happening in your relationship, talk to someone. Without some help, the abuse will continue.

 

Your Domestic Violence Survival Kit

Protecting Yourself in a Dangerous Relationship

Print and Carry with you

If you are still in the relationship:

     · Think of a safe place to go if an argument occurs; avoid rooms with no exits (bathroom) or rooms with weapons (kitchen).

     · Think about and make a list of safe people to call.

     · Keep change with you at all times.

     · Memorize all important numbers.

     · Establish a code word or sign so that family, friends, teachers or coworkers know when to call for help.

     · Think about what you will say to your partner if he or she becomes violent.

     · Remember you have the right to live without fear and violence.

 

Your Personal Safety Plan

The following steps are my plan for increasing my safety and preparing to protect myself in case of further abuse. Although I can't control my abuser's violence, I do have a choice about how I respond and how I get to safety. I will decide for myself whether and when I will tell others that I have been abused or that I am still at risk. Friends, family and coworkers can help protect me, if they know what is happening and what they can do to help.

To increase my safety, I can do some or all of the following:

When I have to talk to my abuser in person, I can ___________________________________________________

When I talk to my abuser on the phone, I can ___________________________________________________

I will have a code word for my family, coworkers or friends, so they know when to call for help for me. My code word is ___________________________________________________

When I feel a fight coming on, I will try to move to a place that is lowest risk for getting hurt such as (at work)_____________, (at home)_______________, (in public)_____________________.

I can tell my family, coworkers, boss or a friend about my situation.

I feel safe telling: ___________________________________________________

I can use an answering machine or ask my coworkers, friends or other family members to screen my calls and visitors.

     I have the right to not receive harassing phone calls.

     I can ask to help screen my phone calls. (home)____________ (work) _________________

     I can keep change for phone calls with me at all times.

I can call any of the following people for assistance or support if necessary and can ask them to call the police if they see my abuser bothering me.

     Friend __________________________________________

     Relative _________________________________________

     Coworker _______________________________________

     Counselor _______________________________________

     Shelter __________________________________________

     Other ___________________________________________

 

When leaving work I can: ___________________________________________________

When walking, riding or driving home, if problems occur, I can: ___________________________________________________

I can attend a support group for women who have been abused.

Support groups are:__________________________________

Telephone numbers I need to know:

     · Police/Sheriff's Department: __________________________

     · Probation officer: __________________________________

     · Domestic violence/sexual assault program:________________

     · Counselor: _______________________________________

     · Clergy: __________________________________________

     · Lawyer: _________________________________________

     · Other: __________________________________________

 

After you have left the relationship:

     · Change your phone number.

     · Screen calls.

     · Save and document all contacts, messages, injuries or other incidents involving the batterer.

     · Change locks if the batterer has a key.

     · Avoid staying alone.

     · Plan how to get away if confronted by an abusive partner.

     · If you have to meet your partner, do it in a public place.

     · Vary your routine.

     · Notify school and work contacts.

     · Call a shelter for battered women.