DOMESTIC VIOLENCE - Script 1st Draft
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THE SCRIPT
[CUE MUSIC]
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Relationship Violence Leaves a Deafening Silence: The Silence Ends Today.
FADE IN: evidence of a severe beating such as eyes etc…. The mouth opens freezes: then superimposed
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DEFINITION:
Relationship violence is defined in three main ways:
1) A physical behavior (for example slapping, pulling hair, punching or kicking)
2) Relationship violence is also categorized as threats of abuse (for example threatening to harm, hit, or use a weapon on another or forms of detrimental verbal abuse.
3) And the final way is perhaps one that is most often overlooked, which is Emotional Abuse (or harassment directed toward a current or former partner)
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SPOTTING:
Chances are that you may even know someone in an abusive relationship and not even recognize it. Do you know someone in an abusive relationship?
Some of the signs may be subtle, but as a friend and a fellow human being it is your duty not to ignore a few simple signs if you see them. The most important thing is to follow your instincts.
When your friend and his/ her partner are together, the partner acts very controlling, perhaps putting the other down in front of groups of people. Does your friend make apologies for the partner’s actions?
You see the partner violently braking things and losing his/ her temper very easily.
Extreme jealousy
Your friend is deathly afraid to make his/ her partner angry. More specifically are they afraid to disagree?
If your friend stops seeing other friends and family members, and becomes more isolated. This behavior may be based on the fact that they are nervous about what the partner may do to embarrass or humiliate them.
Unexplained injuries or explanations of which just do not make sense or are unlikely
Casual mentions by your friend of the partners violent behavior , but making excuses and finally saying that it is no big deal.
Canceling plans with you and others all the time.
If there is a certain amount of control over your friend, such as control over finances, subtle behaviors used to exhibit patterns of when and who they socialize with.
It is important to identify these behaviors because Abusive relationships have long lasting if not permanent effects. It is possible for past experiences to complicate future good relationships. As a friend detecting early It can make all the difference.
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MYTHS:
Relationship violence is rare-FALSE
Persons from middle class are not abused as frequently or as violently as those who are poor.- FALSE
People who are religious are not abusive and not victims of abuse.- FALSE
Victims of abuse are timid and undereducated-FALSE
The abuse will stop after marriage- FALSE
People who are abusive in intimate relationships are abusive with most people they know-FALSE
An offender assaults only one time or two so it is better to just forget
the whole thing.-FALSE
A woman that doesn’t resist sex, hasn’t really been raped.-FALSE
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UNDERSTANDING:
There are several things you can do for a friend in an abusive relationship:
• be there and listen, do not judge.
• Tell them that they are not alone
• Re-enforce the idea that your friend is strong for reaching out
• Make sure that they understand and believe that they do not “deserve” to be abused
• When or if your friend decides to leave the abuser, continue your support of them
• Help your friend develop safety plans
• Never make threats to your friends abuser, this can often upset and confuse the victim further.
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PREVENTION:
Prevention is centered around healthy relationship habits. Non-violence and communication between partners is the key.
Negotiation and fairness: seek mutually satisfying resolutions to any conflict, accept change have a willingness to compromise.
Non-threatening behavior: talking and actions so that your partner feels safe and comfortable expressing needs and having own interests.
Respect : be emotionally affirming and understanding, value opinions
Trust and support: support your partners life goals, respect partners right to have their own feelings, friends activities and opinions
Honesty and accountability: accepting responsibility for self, admit to being wrong, communicate openly and truthfully
Shared responsibility: make decisions together, mutual compromise
Economic freedom: have your own income, make sure that both partners are comfortable with financial arrangements.
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PENALTY:
As if it wasn’t enough that relationship violence causes great pain, lasting effects and permanent psychological problems…… there are legal issues to deal with if you are an abuser!!
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THE SILENCE ENDS TODAY!
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INFORMATION
phone numbers
[CREDITS]
Us
Them
Resource material