Domestic Violence and Girls - What Should You Teach Your Daughter?

Teach her to watch for red flags. Knowledge is power. Teach your daughter to watch for these warning signs of domestic violence: Controlling behavior: Domestic violence doesn’t usually start with physical violence. Typically, the abuser will begin to find ways to manipulate or control a victim: isolating her from her friends and family, controlling what she wears, stipulating where she goes and who she talks to. This is a major red flag that indicates the potential for domestic violence. Emotional abuse: Physical violence is often just around the corner when a partner begins degrading a person, calling her names, treating her disrespectfully, and harshly criticizing her. A violent temper. Someone who easily flies off the handle and uses violence to deal with his problems can easily choose to display that same violence in a relationship. This especially applies if he is already demonstrating violence and disrespect towards his family and friends. The cycle of violence. There’s a pattern—the cycle of violence—that regularly appears in abusive relationships. It begins with “the escalating phase” (typified by anger, arguing, blaming, controlling); then moves to “the violent phase” (where the victim is physically attacked); then to “the making-up phase” (where the abuser cries, begs for forgiveness, vows to change, etc); then it starts all over once the victim takes the abuser back. Help your daughter understand the danger in allowing herself to be treated badly the first time, so she won’t become trapped in the cycle of violence. http://www.justmommies.com/tweens-and-teens/dating-talking-about-sex/domestic-violence-and-girls-what-should-you-teach-your-dau