With words that must be said?

So a few times lately I’ve seen comments and posts about the validity of all the different Awareness of this and Prevention of that days, weeks or months…

… is it needed?  Does it matter? Is it only preaching to the choir to post these things here? Does it make a difference?

I will answer to all of the above: YES and NO!

April, as I’ve already posted about a few times now, is Child Abuse Prevention Month AND Sexual Assault Awareness Month. It is sad that these issues need months set aside to talk about them but I’m glad for whatever light can be shone.  I personally think these are issues that we should talk about all the time…until they no longer exist.  Violence against women and children haven’t gone anywhere.  Ageism, Sexism, and all the other isms haven’t gone anywhere. So yes we still need to talk about them.

Truthfully, talk alone isn’t enough.  Each of us needs to take action as well.

I shouldn’t have to tell anyone that they shouldn’t hurt other people, right?  No child should ever be abused, right?  Yet, look around.

Women and children are beaten everyday. Yes, men are abused as well and that is not ok either. It is just that the majority of the time abuse is directed at women and children, STILL, and that pisses me off.  It should piss you off too!

Rape is not a thing of the past.  It also often isn’t a stranger but someone the victim know and should be able to trust.  We shouldn’t have to tell anyone that No does not mean yes…that consent is ABSOLUTELY necessary.  That victim blaming is not acceptable and it doesn’t matter what someone is wearing!

It goes beyond that of course… not only should you not hurt people (yourself or others) or participate with those who do,  you also shouldn’t be a silent bystander.

If you cannot get personally involved (and sometimes you shouldn’t)…at the very least say something to those who can.

IF, you know someone who is being abused, speak up.

Remember, the smallest action on your part could make a life and death difference.

IF, you know someone who is an abuser, speak up.

One of the ways we can make a difference is by not accepting this behavior.  We have to let the perpetrators know this is not ok.

When friends and family turn a blind eye this makes both the abuser and the abused feel that what is happening is acceptable.  Break the cycle.  Educate yourself and please educate your children.

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” -Edmund Burke

 

~Melanie Thomason

 

 

 

a conversation

“Take the gun.  Better to have it and not need it…”

She shook her head no, as she sharpened her knife and slipped it back into her pocket.  “You know I detest violence, but a girl does have to defend herself.”

“Well, until something drastic happens in this world to change things, it is never safe out there.  Especially alone.  Especially at night. Especially if you are a woman.”

“Exactly right.  I’ll call you when I get there so you can stop worrying.”

“I’ll never stop worrying cause you, my love, were born a girl.”

~Melanie Thomason

7/5/19

 

 

Vengeance

I walk alone into the night

but I walk without fear

 

I’m looking for a fight

with the ones who harvests tears

 

they prey on innocent women

devouring their screams

 

leaving trails of crimson

they destroy their lives and dreams

 

they think they hold all the power

take joy in others pain

 

but now’s the witching hour

and the night is my domain

 

so each night I hunt the hunters

with Vengeance on my breath

 

I too have a hunger

I will make them beg, for death

~Melanie Thomason

Love doesn’t look like THIS…this is what HATE looks like

Does this painting reach in and pull out your heart? Perhaps you know someone who has looked like this? Perhaps it has even been you…
IF you think no one you know has been or is being beaten you are deluding yourself. Some of us just hide it well.

It is not ok, it is never ok and no one deserves to be a punching bag.

If anyone lays a hand on you in violence please know:
1- Contrary to what they may say it is not because they love you sooo much
2- You didn’t MAKE them do it
3- They will do it again

Rethinking Life

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This is what our culture thinks of women…our culture ALLOWS this to happen…it’s built into the system.

I implore you all to read this. It is sad, ridiculous, sickening and infuriating that this is the reality we live in. In America! In 2015!

Attn: MEN reading this… Yes, there are good guys out there…if you are one of them, please take this to heart. No real change can take place without your help.

Rethinking Life

Photo from public domain

*  According to the U.S. Surgeon General, domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women in the United States.

*  The American Medical Association estimates that their American male partners assault 2 million American women each year.

*  The U.S. Department of Justice estimates that 95% of the victims of domestic violence are women.

*  A WOMAN IS BEATEN EVERY 15 SECONDS IN THE UNITED STATES (Bureau of Justice Statistics, Report to the nation on Crime and Justice.  The Data.  Washing DC Offic of Justice Program, US Dept. of Justice, Oct 1983)

*  35% of all emergency room calls are a result of domestic violence.

*  Of those who abuse their partner, well over 65% also physically and/or sexually abuse the children.

*  Each day…4 women die as a result of abuse.

*  Each day…3 children die as a result of abuse.

This…

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to hit…

I’m reblogging this powerful post from Gigi. It is the absolute truth, please read it.

Rethinking Life

to
slap
to
punch
to
beat
to
rape
to
frighten
to
bully
to
force
to
hold
prisoner
to
torture
to
take
away
the
will
of
another
to
hold
hostage
to
threaten
verbally
or
physically
or
with
a
weapon
to
degrade
to
humiliate
to
shame
to
blame
to
take
away
a
child’s
innocence
to
violate
to
silence
another’s
voice
to
KILL

ALL
OF
THESE
THINGS
ARE
CHOICES

VIOLENCE IS ALWAYS A CHOICE…VIOLENCE IS ALWAYS A CHOICE

in
order
to
stop
violence
against
women
and
children

abusers
simply
have
to
STOP
making
those
choices

VIOLENCE IS A CHOICE…ALWAYS

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