As distasteful as this subject is we all must be aware that domestic violence exists even in our own untopian community.  The following information is quoted from The NCADI Reporter Web site http://ncadi.samhsa.gov/new...

All over the country, battered victims’ advocates, government officials, corporations, unions, health care providers, and faith-based groups will participate in activities and events to raise national consciences about domestic violence. This event takes place throughout the whole of October, which is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Although anyone can become a victim of domestic violence or intimate partner violence (IPV), women are still more likely to experience IPV than men. People from all economic and cultural backgrounds can be subjected to domestic violence.

Sadly, children are often the direct or indirect victims. Just witnessing violence impacts children’s lives, especially as it usually takes place at home, a place where children should feel safe. If children have been exposed to domestic violence, it increases the chances that they will take on the role of either a “batterer” or a “victim” in their adult relationships. Abuse can seem “normal” to youth who witness it in their own homes.

Often alcohol and illicit drugs play a part in domestic violence. The link between substance abuse and violence has been clearly documented in numerous studies. Partner history of alcohol and drug abuse is a strong risk factor for domestic violence. Violent behavior can also interfere with treatment for substance abuse and substance abuse can impede interventions to change violent behavior. Drugs or alcohol can impair both the batterer’s and victim’s ability to make sane and safe choices. Substance abuse can distort communication, aggravate resentments, and exacerbate tempers.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) National Center for Injury Prevention and Control estimates that nearly 5.3 million domestic violence incidents happen each year among women 18 years and older resulting in 2 million injuries and 1,300 deaths.

If you or anyone you know is suffering from domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or go to: http://www.ndvh.org.

Risk Factors for Domestic Violence:

Individual Factors:

• Low self-esteem
• Low academic achievement
• Involvement in aggressive or delinquent behavior as a youth
• Alcohol use
• Drug use
• Witnessing or experiencing violence as a child
• Lack of social networks and social isolation
• Unemployment

Relationship Factors:

• Marital conflict
• Marital instability
• Male dominance in the family
• Poor family functioning
• Emotional dependence and insecurity
• Belief in strict gender roles
• Desire for power and control in relationships
• Exhibiting anger and hostility toward a partner

If you or your children are experiencing abuse whether it be emotional, verbal or physical, please tell someone or call the hotline.  If you are in immediate danger call 911.  There is a way out and help is just a phone call away.

larger view

A wealthy old lady decides to go on a photo safari in Africa, taking her faithful, elderly poodle named Cuddles, along for the company.

One day the old poodle starts chasing butterflies and before long, Cuddles discovers that he's lost. Wandering about, he notices a leopard heading rapidly in his direction with the intention of having lunch.

The old poodle thinks, "Oh, oh! I'm in deep doo-doo now!" Noticing some bones on the ground close by, he immediately settles down to chew on the bones with his back to the approaching cat. Just as the leopard is about to leap the old poodle exclaims loudly, "Boy, that was one delicious leopard! I wonder if there are any more around here?"

Hearing this, the young leopard halts his attack in mid-strike, a look of terror comes over him and he slinks away into the trees. "Whew!", says the leopard, "That was close! That old poodle nearly had me!"

Meanwhile, a monkey ! who had been watching the whole scene from a nearby tree, figures he can put this knowledge to good use and trade it for protection from the leopard. So off he goes, but the old poodle sees him heading after the leopard with great speed, and figures that something must be up.

The monkey soon catches up with the leopard, spills the beans and strikes a deal for himself with the leopard.

The young leopard is furious at being made a fool of and says, "Here, monkey, hop on my back and see what's going to happen to that conniving canine!

Now, the old poodle sees the leopard coming with the monkey on his back and thinks, "What am I going to do now?", but instead of running, the dog sits down with his back to his attackers, pretending he hasn't seen them yet, and just when they get close enough to hear, the old poodle says...

"Where's that d@mn monkey? I sent him off an hour ago to bring me another leopard!

Moral of this story....

Don't mess with the old dogs...age and skill will always overcome youth and treachery!

BS and brilliance only come with age and experience.

If you don't send this to five "old" friends right away there will be five fewer people laughing in the world. Of course, I am in no way insinuating that any of you are old, some are just more "youthfully challenged." You did notice the size of the print, didn't you?