To reiterate the fact that abusers will do anything to maintain control of their victims, I want to offer this little bit of news that we received about 1 hour ago:

A woman that my husband works with was murdered in front of her young child by a boyfriend who then committed suicide. I am still in shock and I sincerely hope that any men or women out there who might be fearful understand this: an abuser WILL commit murder if their victims try to leave. Not always, but murder/suicide is becoming more and more prevalent. How many people out there above the age of 35 can remember hearing about murder/suicides when they were growing up? Dammed few, I imagine.

Even in today's "enlightened and educated" society, domestic violence and abuse is on the rise - it's increasing in frequency and intensity. When you hear neighbors fighting, children screaming, things breaking, stop turning your back and excusing yourself by thinking, "It's none of MY business." Doing ANYthing to stop domestic abuse and violence IS our business as fellow human beings, particularly when innocent children are involved. Don't turn a deaf ear, please. Nobody ever reported the abuse that my husband's co-worker endured because they didn't believe that it was any of their business, either. Now, two people are dead and NOT coming back and a toddler was forced to witness it all and now has NO parents.

Make domestic violence and abuse your business.