PROTECTING OUR PREGNANT & POSTPARTUM PEOPLE IS OUR PRIORITY
PROTECTING OUR PREGNANT & POSTPARTUM PEOPLE IS OUR PRIORITY
24/7 PHILADELPHIA DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE:
(866) 723-3014
A C T
ASK if they feel safe
Connect them to resources if they’re ready
Tell them you’re there for them
Resources
Here are more tips to opening the conversation with your family member in a way that is safe for you and for them.
Find a private moment to start the conversation
They may not be ready to talk, and that is OK. The best opportunity to ask questions is when you two are alone and their partner, children, or other people are not present.
Ask intentional questions and give time for them to respond
Let someone know you noticed a certain kind of abusive behavior from the list of 10 signs, and you're concerned about their safety. Ask: "Do you want to have a conversation about what happened?"
Be mindful of your own biases and assumptions
If the conversation doesn't go the way you hoped, remember sometimes the way we see things is only a fraction of the full reality. IPV is a complex issue and leaving an abusive relationship can be complicated and dangerous. Do not push someone to make decisions they are not ready to make.
Connect them to expert resources
When someone opens up, offer support emotionally and connect them to resources: "Thank you for telling me. I'm sorry you experienced that." or "You deserve to be safe." Then, ask if they would like to be connected with an expert and take a next step. Have these resources ready to share: birthjusticephilly.com/pages/resources.
Prioritize safety for them and for you
Remember to think about your own safety. It can be dangerous to you or to the survivor to intervene in an incident. Think about opportunities to connect with a survivor privately, call the DV Hotline for recommendations, or 9-1-1 in an emergency.
24/7 PHILADELPHIA DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE:
(866) 723-3014
Not sure if it's Intimate Partner Violence?
HERE ARE 10 SIGNS THE IPV LINE HAS BEEN CROSSED
Relationships can be difficult and require a lot of work. Even good, healthy relationships have challenging times. But abusive relationships are different. Intimate Partner Violence is about one partner having power and control over the other partner. The abusive partner uses different types of abuse to gain and maintain that power and control. Abuse can include physical violence, but also monitoring, isolation, extreme jealousy, belittling, sabotaging employment or studies, etc. IPV is common, it can happen to anyone, and can be dangerous.