Domestic Violence Awareness

Intimate partner violence is a serious public health problem in the United States that can have a profound impact on health, opportunity, and well-being. CDC works to understand the problem of intimate partner violence and how to prevent it.

Unhealthy relationships can start early and last a lifetime. Dating Matters was created to prevent teen dating violence before it starts.

By Amanda Jackson, CNN

Updated 7:06 AM ET, Monday November 8, 2021

(CNN) A missing teenager from North Carolina was rescued by Kentucky police after she signaled for help by using a hand gesture known on TikTok to represent violence at home, according to police.

The 16-year-old from Asheville, North Carolina, was reported missing by her parents on Tuesday, according to the Laurel County Sheriff's Office in Kentucky. On Thursday, a motorist in Kentucky called 911 to report seeing a girl in distress in a vehicle on the interstate.

"The complainant was behind the vehicle and noticed a female passenger in the vehicle making hand gestures that are known on the social media platform 'TikTok' to represent violence at home -- I need help -- domestic violence," reads the statement posted on Friday by the Laurel County Sheriff's Office.

The hand gesture is a one-handed sign someone can use when in distress, according to the Canadian Women's Foundation. Someone using the signal holds their hand up with their palm facing out, then tucks their thumb into their hand and then closes their fingers to trap thumb.

Police told CNN affiliate WYMT that the teen had learned the hand gesture on TikTok. The person who called 911 stayed behind the vehicle for seven miles relaying information to police, according to WYMT. Police were able to pull over the car and rescue the teen.

The suspect originally took the teen from North Carolina to Ohio where he has relatives, police said. They left Ohio once his relatives found out the teen was a minor and reported missing, according to police.

"We don't know how long coming down the interstate from Ohio that she had been doing this to other motorists hoping that they would notice that she was in distress, but finally someone did recognize," Laurel County Sheriff's Deputy Gilbert Acciardo told WYMT.

Police arrested the man Thursday and charged him unlawful imprisonment and possession of a matter of sex performance by a minor (over 12 but under 18).

 If you’re on a date and things get weird, what you do? Here’s an idea worth considering..

If you felt unsafe for any reason, you could simply order an "angel shot" and they would know you need help. There was also an additional code that could tell them what, specifically, they could do to help. If you ordered it "neat," it meant you wanted to be escorted to your car, ordering it "with ice" would be a signal to call you a ride, and finally, ordering it "with a lime" meant to call the police. Pretty brilliant, right? Unfortunately, it’s not very widespread. So, while ordering an angel shot is worth trying, you should also have a plan to make sure you have a discrete escape route on any date. Here are some ways to make that happen.

 Spousal abuse is defined as the victimization of an individual resulting from abuse, attacks, or assault undertaken by their respective partners within the realm of a married relationship. That being said, spousal abuse, as a result of the varied kinds of abuse is difficult to address; spousal abuse can be inflicted on the victimized party in a physical, emotional, sexual or psychological fashion. Regardless of the type of spousal abuse; however, all instances of the actions have debilitating effects on the victimized party. (domestic-violence.law) 

Drop in calls to child abuse hotlines raises red flags
(04-24-2021) by Neil Schoenberg-Wustl

"Normally, a decrease in calls about alleged child abuse and neglect or maltreatment would be a welcome start to child abuse prevention month, but the context of current declines is worrisome," says Melissa Jonson-Reid.
(Credit: Getty Images)
futurity.org/child-abus–hotlines-COVID-19-2347183/

 Gerald's Story Gerald, 73, had a stroke, which left him unable to care for himself. His son offered to help, and Gerald moved in with him and his family. But Gerald's son and daughter-in-law worked all day and were busy with their kids in the evenings. Gerald hated being a burden on them and tried to take care of himself.

One day, Gerald's friend Carmen came to visit. She was surprised to see food stains on his clothes and sores on his heels. His room smelled like urine, too. Gerald seemed depressed and withdrawn — not at all like the jolly, witty friend she'd known for years. Carmen worried that Gerald's family was neglecting him.

nia.nih.gov

 Some examples of Domestic Abuse Awareness and Domestic Abuse Prevention Campaigns;  

Purple Ribbon Campaign

Over the years, a number of sources have been credited with originating the use of the purple ribbon as a unifying symbol of courage, survival, honor and dedication to ending domestic violence. Although the exact history of the purple ribbon is difficult to pinpoint across the country, families and friends of victims have adopted the purple ribbon to remember and honor their loved ones who have lost their lives at the hands of a person they once loved and trusted. Shelters and local victim services programs use the purple ribbon to raise awareness about the crime of domestic violence in their communities. Purple ribbons are... 

Made into pins and passed out at local events 

Embroidered on t-shirts, hats and bags 

Tied to the antennae of police cars 

Hung on doors 

Wrapped around trees 

Draped over fences at murder scenes

In addition to the demonstration of support for victims and advocates, the display of purple ribbons throughout a community conveys a powerful message that there's no place for domestic violence in the homes, neighborhoods, workplaces or schools of its citizens.