It starts with an argument.

A shove and slap follow and then a punch.

Blood splatters, and the physical pain becomes immense.

While some may make excuses or even feel like they did something to elicit bad behavior from their partner, they haven’t. Abuse of any kind is never acceptable.

Therefore, in an effort to educate and bring attention to domestic violence, October is recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

On Saturday, Oct. 5. Haven House Family Shelter has scheduled a short walk in downtown Vicksburg to support the cause.

“We are asking the people of Vicksburg and surrounding areas to come help us bring awareness to our community and stand up against domestic violence,” Haven House Family Shelter administrative assistant Shannon Royal said.

Registration for the walk will begin at 8 a.m. in the parking lot across from Mountain of Faith Ministries, 1529 Walnut St., and the walk starts at 9 a.m.

Royal said the route will include South St. and S. Madison St., with walkers returning to Walnut St.

In addition to the walk, Royal said, staff from the Mississippi SHINE project will be on hand to provide blood pressure and glucose screenings.

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence website domestic violence includes physical violence, sexual violence, psychological violence, and emotional abuse.

“The frequency and severity of domestic violence can vary dramatically, however, the one constant component of domestic violence is one partner’s consistent efforts to maintain power and control over the other,” the website states.

In the city of Vicksburg and Warren County, more than 300 domestic violence arrests were made in 2018.

“We encourage all survivors and supporters to be a part of this event and help end domestic violence,” Royal said.

For more information or to volunteer, call 601-638-0555.

 

Recognizing domestic violence

The NCADV states abuse may begin with behaviors that may easily be dismissed or downplayed such as name-calling, threats, possessiveness, or distrust.

“Abusers may apologize profusely for their actions or try to convince the person they are abusing that they do these things out of love or care. However, violence and control always intensifies over time with an abuser, despite the apologies,” the website states.

 

Examples of abusive tendencies include but are not limited to:

• Telling the victim that they can never do anything right

• Showing jealousy of the victim’s family and friends and time spent away

• Accusing the victim of cheating

• Keeping or discouraging the victim from seeing friends or family members

• Embarrassing or shaming the victim with put-downs

• Controlling every penny spent in the household

• Taking the victim’s money or refusing to give them money for expenses

• Looking at or acting in ways that scare the person they are abusing

• Controlling who the victim sees, where they go, or what they do

• Dictating how the victim dresses, wears their hair, etc.

• Stalking the victim or monitoring their victim’s every move

• Preventing the victim from making their own decisions

• Telling the victim that they are a bad parent or threatening to hurt, kill, or take away their children

• Threatening to hurt or kill the victim’s friends, loved ones, or pets

• Intimidating the victim with guns, knives, or other weapons

• Pressuring the victim to have sex when they don’t want to or to do things sexually they are not comfortable with

• Forcing sex with others

• Refusing to use protection when having sex or sabotaging birth control

• Pressuring or forcing the victim to use drugs or alcohol

• Preventing the victim from working or attending school, harassing the victim at either, keeping their victim up all night so they perform badly at their job or in school

• Destroying the victim’s property