Survivors, Not Just Victims | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Relationships

Survivors, Not Just Victims

Survivors of domestic violence are living proof that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

36
Survivors, Not Just Victims
domesticshelters.org

If you ever had the chance to speak with a woman who is a victim of domestic violence, you'll soon realize that she's more than a victim...she's a survivor.

In the past few months, I have had the honor to meet multiple women who have generously shared their personal stories with me.

And it astonishes me how much these women have endured. Never have I met such strong and amazing ladies.

My multicultural sorority, Sigma Psi Zeta, has given me many great opportunities to be educated by these survivors and has allowed me to raise awareness about domestic violence. In fact, I'm proud to say that our philanthropy is to combat the violence against women.

Since October is Domestic Violence Awareness month, my sorority has worked especially hard all across the nation to increase awareness and prevention through various campaigns and event fundraisers. This was my first time fully participating in DVAM and it has opened my eyes to issues I never noticed before.

As this month comes to an end, I want to touch more on the subject seeing as it is a really prevalent problem in our society, but does not really get addressed out in the open. It’s something that everyone should care about and be well informed on.

While I do not have personal experience with domestic violence myself, I have done enough research and gained major insight on the matter. I can tell you that there is definitely a lot more that meets the eye. Domestic violence is an atrocity that oftentimes goes overlooked because it occurs more behind the scenes.

From Sigma Psi Zeta's national website, "Violence affects the lives of millions of women worldwide...It cuts across cultural and religious barriers, impeding the right of women to participate fully in society. Violence against women takes a dismaying variety of forms, and constitutes [as] a violation of basic human rights."

The statistics are staggering.

When I learned that in the United States, every nine seconds a woman is beaten or assaulted, I was appalled. Everyday, more than three women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends. And it is so disheartening to know that the leading cause of injury to women is actually domestic violence--more than rapes, muggings, and car accidents combined.

While a great number of the female population are faced with domestic violence, they are often silent. As a matter of fact, of all the physical assaults against women, only a mere 25% are actually reported to the police annually. As horrible as that sounds, we also have to be understanding as to why these women are afraid of their attackers.

That's where you and I come into the picture.

It's time to stop being bystanders and start calling for change. As great as it is that we are raising awareness during the month of October, we need to be doing this all the time. There are consistently victims out there who can't speak out against their attacker and it is our duty to be that voice. It's time to go from being passive to active; don't make excuses like "it's not my problem" or "it's none of my business" because it is. And if you believe otherwise, then that makes you part of the problem too.

These women need us and if they receive the right kind of help, they transform into some of the most powerful and influential people you will ever encounter.

Unfortunately, there is a common misconception that women who have been abused and assaulted are "damaged goods." I beg to differ.

A woman who has been through that kind of unspeakable pain and suffering, yet is still able to smile and remain hopeful at the end of the day, is a miracle. Just the fact that there are females out there who survived domestic violence and came close to death is amazing in itself. And then there are those ladies out there who go above and beyond to share their personal experiences with the world to raise awareness and prevent future incidents...they are heroes.

Other victims who are currently either going through domestic violence or recovering from it can turn to these incredibly strong and passionate survivors, and see that they all went through the same problems. And this gives them the one thing they really need: hope.

That's the key word here. Hope.

Survivors of domestic violence are living proof that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

But they can't make that journey alone.

By taking action now and continuously advocating for women's rights, we can break the silence.

----

[Statistics can be found at The Huffington Post, DomesticViolenceStatistics.org, and National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. ]

[For more help and information, visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline.]


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

177968
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

5109
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

451088
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

22545
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments