As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, Americans are spending more time at home to protect themselves and their communities from the virus. However, while sheltered from the virus, home may not be safe for those who experience domestic violence.You can also know how to get employed after a domestic violence conviction with the help of attorneys. COVID-19 has caused major financial distress, disconnected individuals from community resources and support systems, and created widespread uncertainty and panic. Living in these conditions is stressful, and it may provoke violence in families where it didn’t exist before, or worsen situations where mistreatment and violence has been a problem before.
No one enters a relationship, friendship, or situation expecting to be mistreated or abused. Yet, statistics show that 1 in 3 women worldwide experience some form of intimate partner violence in their lifetime, and for many women, abuse begins at a young age. Abuse is never the victim’s fault, but it’s important to recognize warning signs. Grooming, which is the method abusers use to gain the trust of children and often their families in order to have access to children, can be especially difficult to identify.
The American Bar Association lists the following as grooming behaviors to be aware of:
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Too much interest in a child
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Initiating / creating opportunities to be alone with a child
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Giving special privileges to a child
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Befriending a family to get close to a child
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Displaying favoritism towards one child within a family
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Buying a child gifts
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Catering to the interests of the child, so a child or the parent may initiate contact with the offender
Recognizing grooming behaviors is the first step in protecting children from abusive situations. However, abuse can also begin when women are older and enter into consensual, romantic relationships. Abusers may use similar grooming techniques and behaviors to isolate their partners and earn the trust of those around them. However, there are unique attributes to abusive relationships that women should learn to recognize as red flags.
These behaviors include, but are not limited to:
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Extreme jealousy
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Controlling behaviors
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Coming on strong at the start of a relationship
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Unrealistic expectations for the relationship
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Isolating
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Hypersensitivity
Most abusers rely on people assuming that their intentions are good. When it comes to an issue as prevalent and dangerous as abuse, it is critical that women are aware of the warning signs of grooming and potentially abusive behaviors so they can better protect themselves and others in their community.
If you or someone you care about is experiencing domestic or sexual violence, help is available. (Important: If available, use safe computers — a friend’s, the library’s, etc. — when researching help. Consider purchasing a pay as you go phone that you can keep in a safe place to allow you to make calls to the resources below too.)
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For any victims and survivors who need support, the confidential and free National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24/7 by phone (1-800-799-7233), chat, or text (LOVEIS to 22522).
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This map from End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin lists domestic service providers in Wisconsin.
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A safety plan is a personalized, practical plan that includes ways to remain safe while in a relationship, planning to leave, or after you leave. View this interactive guide to safety planning.