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programs : pathways
Behavioral signs to look for if you think a friend or family member is being abused:
- Cannot do anything without checking with their partner
- Has beocme quiet or unusually withdrawn
- Seldom has any cash and is always making excuses about forgetting money
- Wears concealing clothing even in hot weather
- Has bruises when you see him/her and they are in different areas of the body
- Suddenly seems “accident prone’
- Has been calling in sick to work
- Never comes to family dinners or gatherings
- Constantly looks fatigued or under stress
- Can’t stay on the phone when you call
- Snaps at your or others for no reason
- Has stopped seeing close friends
- Never invites anyone over
Excuses an abuser may use:
- S/He’s making too much of this
- S/He’s under severe emotional stress right now
- S/He’s just trying to get your attention
- S/He’ just hasn’s been themselves lately and I’m trying to get him/her to seek professional help
- You’ve known me for a long time, do you actually believe I could be capable of being abusive toward anyone?
- She’s going through a change of life, or he’s having a midlife crisis
- I just blew up one time, or I didn’t mean it
- We’re having a few problems, but it’s nothing we can’t work out
- This is a family matter, mind your own business
- I had a little too much to drink and didn’t know what I was doing
What should I do:
- Listen to your friend. Be supportive, nonjudgmental and believe what they tell you. Take the abuse seriously. You can help a great deal by letting them know that you care.
- Refer your friend to a physchologist or crisis counselor. Intervention by a trained therapist may be important to your friend. An objetive party may help the victim notice the patterns of abuse and realize that the abuse is not their fault. Counselors and support gorups can be found in the yellow pages of the phone book. Various programs in the community such as YWCA Pathways, SARS and SSTEP are available for information, referrals and support. Encourage your friend or family memeber to take advantage of these services.
- Explore and support your friend’s choices. Do not attempt to “come to the rescue” by solving your friend’s problems for them. The abusive partner may have so much control over their life that they have lost confidence in their ability to make important decisions. Help them explore their options and support them in the choices they make.
- Do not attempt to intervene with teh abusive partner. If the abuser discovers that the victim has discussed the abuse with someone, it may enrage them to further or more serious assaults. If confronted, the abuser is most likely to lie or justify the actions by blaming the victim. Batterers need professional counseling to successfully deal with their abusive and controlling behaviors.
- Think of safety. Abusers can be violent and unpredictable. Meet with your friend in safe, neutral locations. When violence occurs in your presence, call 911 immediately. Urge your friend or family member to conside the safety of themselves and of their family and help them develop a safey plan.
- Take care of yourself. Investigate and read about the dynamics and complexities of domestic violence. There are no simple solutions. The abusive situation may not be immediately resolved and your friend or family member will need your concern and understanding. Do not put your own safety at risk.
Local programs that can help:
- YWCA Pathways
Shelter, support groups, 24-hour hotline
406.542.1944/1.800.483.7858
- Crime Victim Advocates
Orders of Protection 406.523.4630
Criminal Justice Assistance 406.523.4840
- SSTEP
Seeley-Swan talk, protection, education
Transport to safe shelter
406.677.3177
- SARC
UM Student Assault Recovery Services
406.243.6559
