SistahFaith: Lavon Neil

October Observances

October marks the observances of two significant events; National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Each of these observances are near and dear to my heart because I have experienced them in a very personal way.

In 1979 I lost a cousin to breast cancer. This was during a time when awarness was really not a big deal. Breast cancer was just beginning to be examined as a problem and technology was far behind with regards to health care for women.

Domestic violence on the other hand is a much more personal issue. I understand all too well the intricacies associated with abuse victims and their home life.

In the next few weeks I will be posting information related to each of these topics. Please join me by posting comments and information. Together, let's work to erradicate each of these issues. God bless

Domestic Violence Up Close

Hello, my name is Allyson Deese. I am in my early twenties and sadly I am a mother who will never see her precious babies grow up.

Why you ask? Because I too, was a scared teenage victim of domestic violence. It took me have my precious baby girls literally beaten out of me, to wake up. To shake my fear of my violent ex. Who as he as finally being taken to jail, told me and my babies to go to hell, which is now his place of residence.

My short story “Discovering the Joy Within” (featured in The Triumph of My Soul) is just the beginning of my story, and gives you just a small taste of my pain.

God blessed me with a way to work through the pain, by writing. I would trade it all in if I could go seven years back in time and bring my baby girls back.

Since, I can’t I will cherish their precious memories by using my experiences to try and save another woman’s life.

I am almost done writing the novel version of “Discovering the Joy Within” I pray that you will take heed to my warnings and love yourselves more than you love any man. We have to learn to love ourselves as God has always loved us. It’s a lesson that I myself am currently learning. Please learn it with me.

To give someone the gift of knowing they are loved, please purchase your copy of Somebody Prayed for Me autographed by me, at my website www.allysonmdeese.webs.com.

It features poetry by me including the title poem, “Somebody Prayed for Me” and my short story, “Her Silent Hell” which even though its fiction, it does display some true events of other domestic violence survivors as well as those who died due to domestic violence.

God Bless,

Allyson M. Deese www.allysonmdeese.webs.com

Domestic Violence and Child Custody

Domestic Violence and Child Custody
By Steven Carlson

Becoming a witness of domestic violence and growing up in such a volatile and disturbing family environment can have a dreadful impact on the psychological development of a child. Hence, the issue of child custody in situations that involve domestic violence is one of great important.

The US Department of Justice gives great importance towards protecting the rights of children who are exposed to domestic violence. Domestic violence in this context does not necessarily mean the child has actually seen physical abuse or witnessed domestic violence. It may encompass circumstances wherein the child is simply present in the home during an incident of domestic violence. Such type of abuse is commonly referred to as "secondary abuse." In a California case known as In re Heather A., 60 Cal. Rptr. 2d 315, 322 (Ct. App. 1996) the court found that two children were exposed to domestic violence by virtue of being in the same home as their mother ho was physically abused by her boyfriend, even though the children were in another part of the house and did not actually witness the abuse. The two children were removed from the home and made dependents of the court upon a finding that the children were victims of secondary abuse.

Parents experiencing domestic violence within their family home are at risk of losing custody of their children. These children may be declared as dependants of the court, removed from the home, and taken into protective custody of Department of Social services. There are several means by which parents subjected to domestic violence can prevent losing custody of their children. The most important of these is to bring an end to such a violent relationship.

If you are involved in a relationship wherein domestic violence is present and children are involved, you would do well to consult an attorney in your jurisdiction to help you learn where you stand legally on the matter and what options are available to help protect you and your children.

© 2007 Child Custody Coach

Child Custody Coach supplies information, online materials, and coaching services to parents in the field of child custody, namely, divorce, child custody and visitation, child custody evaluations, 730 evaluations, parenting techniques, and all issues related to child custody and divorce. How to Win Child Custody - Proven Strategies that can Win You Custody and Save You Thousands in Attorney Costs! is a unique child custody strategy guide provided as an E-Book for immediate access written by Steven Carlson who is known nationally as The Custody Coach. Custody Match is an online consumer and family law attorney matching service find the right family law attorney, divorce, attorney, or child custody lawyer in your area.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steven_Carlson
http://EzineArticles.com/?Domestic-Violence-and-Child-Custody&id=606449

Can't Women Just Leave?

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness and National Domestic Violence Month and since my life has been affected by both, I felt that I should make sure that I get the word out on each. Therefore I have included information on this blog as well as on my website http://www.avirtuouswoman-31.org/ , that will be of benefit to those who want to learn more.

Now, on to the discussion.

Although the risk of staying may be very high, simply leaving the relationship does not guarantee that the violence will stop. In fact, the period during which a woman is planning or making her exit, is often the most dangerous time for her and her children. Many women are frightened of the abuser, and with good reason. It's common for perpetrators to threaten to harm or even kill their partners or children if she leaves.
Reasons why a woman may not be ready to leave can be varied.

This weeks question is Why Don't Women Leave their Abusive Situations?

Leave your comments here and then answer the poll question Can't She Just Leave?

Check back next week to see the answers.