Lending a Helping Hand!

 Lending a Helping Hand!

Figure 1: Mom and Dad Fighting (6)

Everybody can get a little down sometimes, right? People can get sad from many things. You know how someone can make you sad by calling you names or hitting you? People that do those things are called bullies. Adults can be bullies too and do things that hurt others, especially when they get angry. Every now and then, moms and dads can be those bullies. When they get mad, they can say mean things or hurt each other and their kids. When this happens, we call it domestic violence and many people are affected each year.

How to tell if your friend is being effected!

If you think that one of your friends might be in a situation where their mom or dad may be hurting them, you can catch onto some of these signs (2)!

Figure 2: Domestic Violence (4)

• They may not want to talk about their mom or dad.
• They might not want to have friends over or go home.
• They might act way happier than they should or usually do.
• They might get defensive or jumpy if someone brings it up.
• If someone asks, "what's wrong" they try to avoid it and don't make eye contact.

These things and more is what you should look out for, even if you don't think that it could be happening! If you see something wrong, you should ask them and tell someone immediately!

What do you do if you know this is happening to your friend?

Figure 3: All We Need is Love & Care (1)

If you find out that your friend's home is not safe for them, tell someone! Ask your friend if they are okay and make sure that they know it is not their fault! Sometimes, when things like this happen, the people who are being hurt want to blame themselves for what has happened. It is never their fault and they deserve to know that (3)!


Make sure to tell an adult! It is never okay to keep things like this a secret and we should always tell someone who could help! Telling a parent or calling the police are great things that you could do. There are also phone numbers that you can call and websites you can visit to help you learn more and get in contact with someone that could help! Below is a video that can help you understand domestic violence better!

                                                  Domestic Violence Animated Ad (5)

References

(1) All We Need Is Love & Care. Retrieved from https://www.kirkbalkacademy.org/students/anti-bullying/other-forms-of-abuse/what-is-emotional-child-abuse

(2) Holly, K. J. (2012). How to recognize signs of abuse in your friend. Retrieved from https://www.healthyplace.com/blogs/verbalabuseinrelationships/2012/12/signs-your-friend-is-abused
(3) Healey, J. (2014). In Healey J. (Ed.), Domestic and family violence. Australia: The Spinney Press. Retrieved from https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/bloomsburguniv-ebooks/reader.action?docID=1593879&query=
(4) Mamalinga, S. (2013). Domestic Violence. Retrieved from https://www.cartoonmovement.com/collection/69
(5)Whitericecom. (2009). Domestic Violence Animated Ad. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3sp9F1TCbc
(6) Yara. (2012) Domestic Violence. Retrieved from https://www.toonpool.com/cartoons/Domestic%20violence_155925