Women's support available at Family Support Council

Special to The R-C

Domestic violence is part of a continuing cycle that is difficult to break. In fact, statistics show that women will suffer through seven abusive situations, before finally breaking free. More often than not, women who attend a support group doubt their own judgment, wonder whether they are going crazy, or even feel as if they imagined the whole situation, even though the emotional and physical pain is real.

Family Support Council's Women's Support Group is free and open to provide education, compassion and understanding to women who have experienced emotional, physical or sexual abuse at the hands of someone they love. Our support group enables women to feel safe when expressing themselves; it provides an opportunity for personal growth, socialization and prevention/intervention education. Our goal is to help empower women to become more independent and self confident, as they continue to heal and live a violent free life. You may be a victim of abuse if you are in a relationship with someone who:

Controls finances, so you have to ask for money.

Looks at you or acts in ways that scare you.

Acts jealous or possessive, or accuses you of being unfaithful

Tries to control how you spend your time, who you see or talk to, where you go or what you wear.

Wants you to get permission to make everyday decisions.

Gets angry when drinking alcohol or using drugs.

Scares you by driving recklessly.

Threatens to kill himself or herself.

He or she hits, kicks, shove, slaps, or chokes you. He or she may threaten you with violence or a weapon.

Forces you to have sexual intercourse.

Destroys your property.

Calls you names, insults you or puts you down.

Hurts, or threatens to hurt you, your children or pets.

n For information about Family Support Council's Women's Support Group, call Desiree Witteman at 782-8692