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Interface
Children
Family Services
Strengthening our Children, Families and Communities to be Safe,
Healthy & Thriving.
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Do
you know someone in an abusive relationship?
Do you suspect that a friend, relative or someone you
know is being abused?
If so, don't be afraid to offer help - you just might
help save someone's life.
| Here
are some basic steps you can take to assist
someone who may be a target of domestic
violence: |
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Approach
your friend in an understanding non-blaming way.
Tell her/him that she/he is not alone, that
there are people like her/him in the same kind
of situation and that it takes strength to
survive and trust someone enough to talk about
battering. |
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Acknowledge
that it is scary and difficult to talk about
domestic violence. Tell this person that she/he
does not deserve to be threatened, hit or
beaten. Nothing a person can do or say makes the
abuser's violence OK. |
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Share
information. Show your friend the Warning
List, Violence
Wheel and Non-Violence
Wheel. Discuss the dynamics of
violence and how abuse is based on power and
control. |
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Support
this person as a friend. Be a good listener.
Encourage the person to express her/his hurt and
anger. Allow the person to make her/his own
decision, even if it means not being ready to
leave the abusive relationship. |
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Ask
if your friend has suffered physical
harm. Go with her/him to the hospital to check
for injuries if necessary. Help report the
assault to the police if she/he chooses to do
so. |
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Provide
information on help available to battered women,
men, and their children, including social
services, emergency shelter, counseling
services, and legal advice. To find this
information, start by dialing 2-1-1 (24
hours a day. 7 days a week) directly or
calling Interface Children Family Services at
805-485-6114. |
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Help
your friend establish a Safety
Plan. Never encourage someone to follow
a plan with which the person does not feel
comfortable and safe. |
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Inform
your friend that legal protection may be
available under abuse prevention laws. Call the
Domestic Violence Services at Interface Children
Family Services for information about what steps
to take. |
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