Reminders are Lurking Everywhere

Situational awareness of how significantly more dangerous it is for domestic violence victims to “stay at home” with their abusers during these turbulent times is being written about throughout the news. Personally, I am thrilled that our story is getting out. Yet, to me, the awareness is still on the educational level.
 
By that I mean a reporter is explaining the dangers we face staying at home with our abusers, with a noteworthy statistic to prove our existence, but the now what part is kind of left hanging there. From what I am reading (again, my opinion), we are being led to utilize already overburdened community resources. 
Coronavirus and domestic violence triggersWhile the awareness of the plight of domestic violence victims and survivors might be on the rise, mindfulness of their presence in online communities still has a long way to go.
 
The Tik Tok community (a place where a person can upload short videos) has created a mugshot challenge where people deliberately put on make-up to give the appearance of looking rough. People participating in this challenge smudge eye liner, put on runny mascara, frizzle their hair, and or paint fake injuries like bloody noses or black eyes. After the make-up is applied, the video participants pose in a series of mug shot photos just for fun. I surely don’t understand how posing as a potential criminal is considered fun; to me, it’s cruel reminders of my bruised and bloody past.
 
While we will never live in a world perfectly protected from reminders of our past, I’m hopeful that situational awareness will eventually lead to more mindfulness during times like these.
 
A walk around my neighborhood reminds me that families are gathering together during these times of uncertainty. Yet, during the worst part of my hiding behind my abuse, I know for sure my family was the last thing I wanted involved during stressful situations.
 
Honestly, I can’t imagine my abuser losing the control he had to something so unknown like the coronavirus. Take an otherwise stressful living situation and add a lost job or kids staying home 24/7, or running out of toilet paper? Unimaginable. Co-parenting during a time like this? Incomprehensible chaos.
 
So, what are we to do without out our counseling sessions, our jobs, our ability to be separated from our abusers for even a few hours of the day?
 
For anyone needing help immediately please consider:

The National Domestic Violence HotlineCalled to Peace MinistriesDomestic Shelters 
 
For anyone who is already distanced from their abuser and is looking for some resources to promote healing, please consider:

Julie Owens Facebook pageAsk Missy Facebook group:Courageouswoman.liveRebecca Davis’ website HeresthejoyCindy Burrell’ website: HurtbyLove 
Resources On My Site:Deflating my TriggersOverwhelming Anxiety Tackling Depression after LeavingBook Resources
I pray God’s loving arms wrap around each of my reader’s during these unknown and stressful times.
 
Please stay vigilant and safe,
 
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