Therapy for Complex PTSD (multiple traumatic events) is more shot-in-the-dark than science. Mental health professionals don’t have viable treatment protocols for PTSD (one traumatic event), and most are totally clueless about treating Complex PTSD. Sadly, too many still think, for example, that EMDR is effective. It isn’t.
Barbara Bentley, author of Dance with the Devil, will receive one of six of the 2009 Paul H. Chapman Awards by the Foundation for Improvement of Justice on September 26 in Atlanta. In addition […]
The DC Sniper was “known to police” in Pierce County, WA for domestic violence. Isaiah M.K. Kalebu was also “known to police” in Pierce and King Counties, WA for domestic […]
When we think of Bill Clinton’s presidency, passage of the Violence Against Women Act isn’t typically the first thing that comes to mind. Yet, he is a tremendous champion for family violence prevention and for people who have experienced abuse. He’s walked in our shoes.
I am astonished this story hasn’t been picked up by the US media. On July 12, 2009, former President Carter’s op-ed piece appeared in The Observer in the United Kingdom and was reprinted without credit by The Age in Australia. He explained why he was ending his ties of 60 years with the Southern Baptist Convention.
At age 66, Frank McCourt published his first book: Angela’s Ashes. It was a New York Times best-seller for two years, won a Pulitzer Prize, and became a movie. His success inspired other people who had experienced abuse to write their own memoirs. There wouldn’t be a Life Rafts section on this web site but for Frank McCourt.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton was passionate about equality. She refused to utter the word “obey” in her marriage vows. She edited the Declaration of Independence to read: “All men and women are created equal. . .” Her first sentiment addressed domestic violence.
Good questions. I think most women who experience domestic violence would like to know the answers. As I read and digested the article, I realized the Vernetta’s story is all our stories. We are conditioned by the system to think we’re the only ones who think the system doesn’t work. The truth is that it doesn’t work for most of us. “Fell through the cracks,” is a phrase that sets my teeth on edge. Callous indifference is more accurate.
Many women and children ~ some men too ~ are finding there isn’t much justice in our legal system. In fact, the legal system is easily manipulated as an instrument of abuse. Several bloggers, especially WordPress’ MamaLiberty, are vigilant watchdogs. If you haven’t visited her site, I encourage you to do so. You will laugh. You will cry. You may get angry.
Vernetta is a perfect example of an advocate for domestic violence. She has done everything right, and the most important thing she’s done is that she never gave up.
Anne Caroline Drake 