Domestic Violence: Steps to take if...

It is important for victims to educate themselves about the effects of domestic violence whether they decide to stay with their partners or not.
"Awareness helps in trying to make the situation better, to protect yourself and your children,” according to the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children.

Speaking to Emirates 24|7, the Foundation reiterated that help and professional support is available at a highly confidential level.

Following their recent reports on calls received on the helpline 800-111, they added: “Counseling facilities often help survivors of domestic violence develop and improve self-esteem, feelings of abandonment, fear and post-traumatic stress.”

Emphasising a safety plan and coping strategies, the foundation shared some important steps to take when victims of domestic violence stay with their abusers:

1.  Talk to someone you can trust.

2.  Develop other interests, or involvements, so you feel you are caring for yourself emotionally.

3.  Educate yourself as it helps to identify, understand better and deal more effectively with it.

4.  Have safety strategies in place, so you can protect yourself and your children.

5.  Look for help straight away as there's more of a chance to decrease the escalations, when you start early. Sometimes it's just the right awareness strategy that is needed.

6.  Seek intervention and counseling

7.  Teach children that violence is never right even when someone they love is being violent. It's important for a child to keep safe as it’s neither your fault, nor theirs.

8.  Keep a personal log if you want to pursue legal protection. It's also a good way to start dealing with the abuse in your life.

9.  Get medical treatment if there is even the slightest injury from physical abuse and collect a medical report.

10.  Take pictures and keep them in a safe place where they will not be found by the abuser.

11.  Look for a shelter home that protects and provides safe refuge, as leaving is a dangerous time for any abused women and their children.

12.  If you do not wish to utilize shelter, still call a shelter hotline for information on their non-residential services, such as counseling or other resources, like Legal Advocacy, to help navigate the legal process.

13.  “Leave”. You have the right to live in a home that is free of abuse. Therefore, you have the right to leave home if your safety is threatened.

14.  When children are at risk of emotional or physical harm, or of being taken from you, take them with you (if possible).

15.  If there is no court order giving someone else custody, you have the legal right to take your children with you even if you leave the country.

16.  Protect your privacy by trying to have your own cell phone, using a prepaid phone card, using a safe computer, being cautious with email, instant messaging and sensitive accounts.

17.  Protect yourself from GPS surveillance and recording devices.

The Dubai Foundation for Women and Children offers free support to victims of violence and callers can reach them on their helpline (800-111), visit www.dfwac.ae, email info@dfwac.ae, or connect with them on Facebook.

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