September is National Friendship Month

September is National Friendship Month and September 19 is National Women’s Friendship Day. One of the best ways that we can be a ‘true friend’ to the women in our life is to help them break the cycle of abuse in their lives. 1 in 3 women have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner and 1 in 4 women have been victims of severe physical violence (strangling, beating, burning). Chances are very good that at least one of your friends have experienced domestic violence – currently or in the past.

So how can you help your friend?

1. Know the warning signs. https://thesafeplacearkansas.com/what-are-the-red-flags-that-a-friend-is-being-abused/and here’s a link for teens https://thesafeplacearkansas.com/teen-dating-violence-awareness-and-prevention-part-3/
2. Really listen to your friend. She understands the danger of her situation better than anyone. Don’t push her to do something that she feels uncomfortable doing. If she is not ready to act, she will likely go back – to a more dangerous situation than before.
3. Keep contact, if possible. Reach past her forced isolation – if possible – always remember to keep her safety first priority.
4. Gather resources – we have lots – that you can ‘safely’ share with your friend. A great place to ‘share’ is on Facebook. It’s not specifically targeted to your friend, but she can see it on her post feed. The Safe Place Facebook page posts regularly. Share, like, and comment. You never know which of your friends may desperately need the information you are sharing!
5. Allow her to keep some things at your house: extra clothes, money, documentation of abuse, copies of important papers, etc. She will need these when she is ready to leave.
6. Be a support system that she can count on. Remember that leaving an abuser is very difficult. Often they have been stripped of self-worth and beaten down and told they are worthless, dumb, and can’t take care of themselves. Tell them that they CAN! She will need a friend now more than ever!

What if the ‘friend’ is you?

Please reach out and get help. You don’t have to live with the abuse. We have a ‘Safe Place’, a domestic violence shelter, where you can go to escape a dangerous situation. Call 1-888-554-2501, anytime, day or night. An advocate is standing by to help. We can assist you with an Order of Protection and a whole list of services and information. We also have a support group available for you, as well as your friend. Browse through our website – we have an abundance of useful information to start you, and your friend, on your path to freedom. To reach our resource office in Perryville, call 501-889-2030. For help in Morrilton call 501-354-1884.