Check out our poll below, a little disturbing, but probably closer to being representative of our population then we would like to think.
HAVE YOU EVER DATED A MORON?
Violence against women is a serious issue in this world. This does not even take into account emotional abuse, which often goes undetected to those around the victim, as there are no bruises or physical evidence, only emotional scarring - that often takes longer to heal. Here are a few facts that may shock you (from the Canadian Women's Foundation):
- Half of Canadian women (51%) have experienced at least one incident of physical or sexual violence since the age of 16.
- Every minute of every day, a Canadian woman or child is being sexually assaulted.
- One to two women are murdered by a current or former partner each week in Canada.
- Spousal violence makes up the single largest category of convictions involving violent offences in non-specialized adult courts in Canada over the five-year period 1997/98 to 2001/02. Over 90% of offenders were male.
- Thirty-six percent of female victims of spousal violence and less than 10% of victims of sexual assault reported these crimes to the police in 2004.
- Physical and sexual abuse costs Canada over $4 billion each year (factoring into account social services, criminal justice, lost employment days and health care interventions).
- Violence against women occurs across all ethnic, racial, religious, age, social and economic groups. Some women are more vulnerable however, and are more likely to experience violence, including women with disabilities, geographically-isolated women, young women and Aboriginal women.
- Women are five times more likely to fear for their lives as a result of spousal violence: the violence or threat of violence was so severe that 38% of women feared for their lives compared with 7% of men.
- Violence against women affects children. Every year in Canada, up to 360,000 children are exposed to domestic violence.
- For children who are exposed to violence, consequences can include emotional trauma, depression, injury and permanent disability, as well as other physical, psychological and behavioural problems that can extend into adolescence and adulthood.
- Some victims never tell anyone about the abuse: they may feel ashamed or embarrassed, or fear being stigmatized by others.
- She may be reluctant to report the abuse to the police, either because she fears retaliation, does not believe that involving the criminal justice system can help, or fears losing her children.
- Shelters for abused women do more than provide emergency housing and food for women and their children: they offer counseling and support to help women rebuild their lives, programming for children who have witnessed violence to help them heal, legal advice, and assistance finding affordable housing. Many shelters also raise awareness in their communities about domestic violence.
- The cost of operating shelters for abused women in Canada totals more than $135 million each year. Shelters play a critical role in stopping violence against women, but are only part of the solution. Support for women involves a wide range of services and programs that both prevent abuse (e.g. teaching youths about healthy relationships) and help abused women rebuild their lives after violence.
Scary stuff. Good news is that we can affect change. We can educate our daughters, mothers, sisters, grandmothers, and granddaughters. Education truly is key. I believe in the power of change. I believe in the power of people I believe in myself. I am proof that through understanding, counselling, perseverance, and self-love, healing can occur, and the cycle of abuse can be stopped.
Help stop this vicious cycle. You too can do your part. Abuse is more prevalent than you think. It takes on all sorts of moronic forms. Help rid this world of abusive moronic behaviour, and make it a safer place for us all to live.
Check out the moron cures to the side for some information, or contact your local women's shelter/centre.
