CATCHING FIRE

Written by Suzzane Collins

• born Nov 21, 1957

• Works:

• Hunger games

• Catching fire

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

"What did you do to make your husband angry?"

What is domestic violence

• The laws in many states cover incidents of violence occurring between married couples, as well as abuse of elders by family members, abuse between roommates, and dating couples.

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxONTitvsJ8&feature=related

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSMVzKK9d6c&feature=related

My poem• I got flowers today.

It wasn't my birthday or any other special day.We had our first argument last night,And he said a lot of cruel things that really hurt me.I know he is sorry and didn't mean the things he said.Because he sent me flowers today.

I got flowers today.It wasn't our anniversary or any other special day.Last night, he threw me into a wall and started to choke me.It seemed like a nightmare.I couldn't believe it was real.I woke up this morning sore and bruised all over.I know he must be sorry.Because he sent me flowers today.

• I got flowers today,And it wasn't Mother's Day or any other special day.Last night, he beat me up again.And it was much worse than all the other times.If I leave him, what will I do?How will I take care of my kids?What about money?I'm afraid of him and scared to leave.But I know he must be sorry.Because he sent me flowers today.

I got flowers today.Today was a very special day.It was the day of my funeral.Last night, he finally killed me.He beat me to death.If only I had gathered enough courage and strength to leave him, I would not have gotten flowers...today

Early signs

• Quick whirlwind romance• Wanting to be with you all the time; tracking what you’re doing and who you’re with• Jealousy at any perceived attention to or from others• Attempts to isolate you in what seems like loving behavior

Tactis used by the abuser

• Emotional and verbal abuse:

• Survivors of domestic violence recount stories of put-downs, public humiliation, name-calling, mind games and manipulation by their partners. Many say that the emotional abuse they have suffered has left the deepest scars.

Another tactic

• Threats and Intimidation:

• Threats -- including threats of violence, suicide, or of taking away the children -- are a very common tactic employed by the batterer.

And another tactic

• Isolation: • It is common for an

abuser to be extremely jealous, and insist that the victim not see her friends or family members. The resulting feeling of isolation may then be increased for the victim if she loses her job as a result of absenteeism or decreased productivity.

Who does it effect

• Women were attacked about six times more often by offenders with whom they had an intimate relationship than were male violence victims.

• Nearly 30 percent of all female homicide victims were known to have been killed by their husbands, former husbands or boyfriends.

Continued

• In contrast, just over 3 percent of male homicide victims were known to have been killed by their wives, former wives or girlfriends.

• Husbands, former husbands, boyfriends and ex-boyfriends committed more than one million violent acts against women.

What effects does it have

• Domestic violence can lead to other common emotional traumas.

• such as: depression • Anxiety• panic attacks • substance abuse • And much more

Continued

• Children exposed to domestic violence are at risk for developmental problems, psychiatric disorders, school difficulties, aggressive behavior, and low self-esteem.

What can we do to help

• Refuse to accept violence in your own life.

• Speak out publicly against domestic violence.

• Call the police if you witness a domestic violence incident.

• Learn the facts about domestic violence.

More…..

• Encourage your neighborhood watch or block association to become as concerned with watching out for domestic violence as with burglaries and other crimes.

• Reach out to support someone whom you believe is a victim of domestic violence and/or talk with a person you believe is being abusive.

Stats!!• Of the almost 3.5 million violent crimes

committed against family members, 49% of these were crimes against spouses.

• 84% of spouse abuse victims were females, and 86% of victims of dating partner abuse at were female.

• Males were 83% of spouse murderers and 75% of dating partner murderers

• Domestic violence is one of the most chronically underreported crimes.

• Only approximately one-quarter of all physical assaults, one-fifth of all rapes, and one-half of all stalkings perpetuated against females by intimate partners are reported to the police.

www.aardvarc.org/dv/statistics.shtml