However, much like our ancestors in Galveston, Texas in 1865, she met her General Granger. She realized right then She was at work one day in a mandatory training brought by a loving Black woman who started talking about how she was delivered from domestic violence. Freedom immediately felt badly for this woman, because she knew she never wanted to experience the feeling of being harmed by the man she loved. She listened intently as the woman talked about “finding out she was being abused”. That confused Freedom. How could anyone not know they were being beaten up? As she listened she heard the description of emotional abuse : “ any abusive behavior that isn’t physical , which may include verbal aggression, intimidation, manipulation, and humiliation, which most often unfolds as a pattern of behavior over time that aims t o diminish another person’s sense of identity, dignity and self worth , and which often results instead of anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts or behaviors, and posttraumatic stress disorder ( PTSD).” 3 Several articles: (a), ( b), (c), (d) 4 Juneteenth.com article: History of Juneteenth 6 Des Moines area for mental h health within the Black community. 8 5 Emotional Abuse definition taken from JoinOneLove.org article: What Emotional Abuse Really Means National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24/7 through the website or phone: 800-799-7233. Breanne Ward, LMHC , is a Black female trauma-informed t therapist & owner/founder of Forward Consulting, LLC , which continues to be a trailblazer in the greater WomensLaw.org has a section that encourages DV victims/survivors to “ know the law ”. By clicking here, one can find out the laws and resources for legal help in their state. This is the best place this author has found to u understand your specific type(s) of abuse you are enduring and get help making an effective safety plan. 7 19 that she, Freedom, was in a relationship where she was being emotionally abused. The speaker told the audience that if they called the National Domestic Violence Hotline a trained phone advocate would help them formulate an individualized safety plan . (PHOTO) Freedom realized the way she was being treated and the way it made her feel was real. She knew this was her chance to learn more, and she took it. Every day at work, she found time to talk with the speaker whose business card she still had. She finally felt seen, heard, and understood during their conversations, and she always got more information than she came in with. The woman explained to her that there were Black female trauma-informed therapists in her area and got her connected to a wonderful woman named Breanne . Today, Freedom is experiencing higher and higher levels of exactly that - FREEDOM. She is no longer married to her former saviour; she finds her own salvation by empowering herself. Although, he tried to get custody of the children he never wanted to care for during the marriage, through WomensLaw.org information on Iowa law she has been able to , maintain custody of her girls. She read that ⅓ of women reporting abuse re-enter with another partner in the same year of their freedom . She doesn’t want her or her girls to experience the setback of new abuse, so she’s got plans to participate in Empowerment through the Arts™10 . I’m sharing Freedom’s story during the month of Juneteenth to help you embrace or support freedom in the following ways: 1. In a relationship? Make sure it’s healthy: The Hotline.org, Phone: 800-799-7233 2. In an abusive relationship? Talk to The Hotline.org to commence safety planning. 3. Survivor and stable in your new life? Sign up for Empowerment through the Arts™; avoid future DV cycles: Future DV Prevention 4. Community member? Support others on their way to Freedom : Awareness Education; Community Support Education 5. Want to financially support the work? Donate Here Blessings. #Permission By Courageous Fire DV Advocate & Founder of Courageous Fire, LLC
20 Publizr Home