“I promise it won’t happen again…”

"I promise it won’t happen again.” These are the words that echo through the minds of every young woman who has been violated to the highest extremity. Yet, the abuse continues once something goes wrong again. Some may feel that it really can’t be happening to them, while others believe it is their mistake and deserve to be punished. Despite what she may do, no woman deserves to be mistreated by their significant other.

Abuse against women is never justified or acceptable. It is actually a crime one can serve time for in prison. This type of behavior is learned and therefore, it can be changed. The abuser wants to be the one in control and have all power and authority over the woman. He feels that men are of utmost sovereignty and women are to be submissive and should follow the lead of the man. Jessie Norwood, a Piper High school junior says, “Men shouldn’t have all the power in the relationship, instead there should be equality.”

According to the National Coalition against Domestic Violence and a study published by the American Journal of Health in 2009, domestic violence affects up to 30% of American women.
The signs of abuse aren’t that hard to spot. It can start with physical abuse and lead all the way down to spiritual abuse. Being slapped in the face or having your hair pulled counts as physical abuse. Shortly after comes the psychological and emotional part of it. He may threaten to hurt you or someone you care about, try to force you into having a sexual relation with him, put you down to make you feel unwanted or isolate you from your loved ones.

If you happen to be a victim of abuse, than speak up. Keeping quiet will only make things worse and you’ll continue to suffer in a deadly silence. Perhaps, you and your significant other need counseling about this matter. Don’t stick around to endure pain. Find a way out. Contact your local police or an abuse hotline. This matter is no joke, especially if your life is on the line. In the words of Oprah Winfrey, “Love doesn’t hurt. If a man hits you once, he will hit you again. He will hit you again.” Imagine if you speak up how many abused women will follow your lead and do what is right.