Tips for abused women

The statistics related to women being abused in the United States are chilling. Every two minutes, somewhere in America, someone is assaulted. In 2002, there were approximately a quarter million case of abuse or assault. Nearly one third of American women report being physically abused by a husband or boyfriend at some point in their lives. There are many other equally chilling statistics. (Related: How to leave an abusive relationship)

Let us take a look at the case of Jasmine because it shows how abuse starts. She started socializing with men that her family did not approve of. Eventually, her family simply gave up on her and literally abandoned her in the sense that they do not even know if she exists. Jasmine has lost all contact with her. One bad relationship after another, Jasmine is now living with another abusive boyfriend who has literally imprisoned her. She has no phone, no car, and depends on him for everything. She says, "When we met, he was sort of a ladies man. However, as time went by, he started to show his true colors and literally turned me into his hostage. I am very scared to leave him because he's the type that drinks a lot and then he likes to hit me. The only way I can run away from him is if I go to a place that he cannot find me, but then, there is no such place for me. I sometimes feel that I do love him that we have been together for over one year. He's sometimes so mean that I can't even take out the trash can. And he accuses me of cheating everyday but how can I be cheating if I can't even leave the house?"

As you can see, Jasmine is a perfect example of someone who is easy to abuse. She comes from a dysfunctional family, is dependent on a man to give her three meals a day, and has no other friends or family to go to. Here are a few tips to prevent yourself from becoming a candidate for abuse by a man:

1. No matter how wonderful your man appears to be, NEVER abandon your friends and family.
2. Always have access to money that you can spend on your own. Even if you have been married for a million years, it is your right to spend some amount of money any way you like without giving explanation to him. He can do the same and you should respect his right as well.
3. If you realize that your man is not treating you as one human being should treat another, get out of the relationship. When you feel that you love him, you are fooling yourself. It is probably one-sided and you are hoping against hope that love will somehow save you.
4. Finally, there is help out there for abuse victims. Apart from calling your local police and other voluntary organizations, there are churches and government agencies that help women who are being abused.

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