Author Archive

S.A.F.E. Stop Bullying According to a study in 2011 by the National Center for Education Statistics and Bureau of Justice Statistics, 20% of U.S. students between grades 9-12 have experienced bullying. Bullying was identified by the Center for Disease Control and Department of Education as a perceived power imbalance through repeated unwanted aggressive behavior from an individual or individuals. Both indirectly and directly, perpetrators use physical, verbal, and relational abuse to harm individuals, resulting in depression, anxiety, isolation, and even suicide from victims. Despite intervention from bystanders, bullying is still an ongoing concern both in schools and workplaces.

For more information on bullying, visit the resources listed below:

LGBTQ Students
Stop Bullying

Bullying Statistics and Facts

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
Huffpost: Rude vs. mean vs. Bullying: defining the differences
Teens health: Dealing with Bullying
National bullying prevention center: Questions anwered

Bullying Statistics: Cyberbullying Statistics
American SPCC (American society for the positive care of children): Bullying Statisitics
Eschooltoday: Your facts and basic tips on bullying
Tackle Bullying
Education Corner: Bullying epidemic: Facts, statistics and prevention
Scholastic: Teasing and bullying: No laughing matter
Consumer Information: Help prevent cyberbullying
Identify and Prevent Bullying in School

Domestic Violence

S.A.F.E. Domestic Violence

Domestic violence, also known as intimate partner violence, affects both males and females in intimate relationships. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, domestic violence includes rape, sexual assault, robbery, and aggravated assault committed by intimate partners, immediate family members, or other relatives. A study found that approximately 1 in 4 (28.3%) women and 1 in 5 (21.6%) men have experienced physical violence in an intimate relationship. With domestic violence accounting for 21% of all violent crimes, studies have found that domestic violence was more commonly committed against females (76%) compared to males (24%).

If you or someone you know has been physically or sexually assaulted by their partner or spouse, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233 (SAFE) or 1−800−787−3224 (TTY), or visit the resources below:

What is Domestic Violence?

Violence Against Women

Love is Respect

National Resource Center on Domestic Violence: DVRN

Helping Guide: Domestic Violence and Abuse

Safe Horizon: Domestic Violence and Abuse

Medline plus: Domestic Violence

Medicine Net: Domestic Violence

Elder Abuse

According to the National Council on Aging, elderly abuse is identified as physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, exploitation, neglect, and abandonment by perpetrators ranging from family members to “trusted others.” Characterized as individuals above the age of 65, victims of elder abuse are more likely to experience abuse by a family member than any other individual. A study of 4,156 older adults found that “family members were the most common perpetrators of financial exploitation,” with friends and neighbors coming next, being followed by home care aides.

If you or an elder you know has been physically or sexually assaulted, please visit the resources below:

Elder Abuse Help Guide
What is Elder Abuse?
National Council on Aging
National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse

National Institute on Aging: Elder Abuse
World Health Organization: Elder Abuse
NCEA (National Center on Elder Abuse)
SAGE: Elder Abuse and Fraud
GAO (U.S. government accountability office: Elder Abuse)
Fidelity: Prevent financial Elder Abuse

LGBT Abuse

S.A.F.E. LGBT Abuse Abusive partners in LGBT relationships use physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, in addition to financial control and isolation to control their partners. By maintaining power, abusers use threats and justification as tactics to continue the abuse. Some other tactics include intimidation, blame, privilege, and economic abuse in order to feel dominant and powerful in the relationship. According to the Human Rights Campaign, 40 percent of gay men experience sexual violence while only 21 percent of heterosexual men experience it.

If you or someone you know has been physically or sexually assaulted, please call or visit the LGBT-friendly resources listed below:

National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey
Human Rights Campaign
National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
The Anti-Violence Project Hotline: 1-212-714-1124
Gay Men’s Domestic Violence Project Hotline: 1-800-832-1901
MCEDV (Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence): Abuse in LGBT relationships
NCADV (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence): Domestic Violence and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Relationships

Center for American Progress: Domestic Violence in the LGBT Community
Encyclopedia of social work: Domestic Violence in the LGBT Community
End the fear: Same-sex domestic abuse
Domestic abuse/sexual Assault Service: Domestic Violence-Impact on LGBT Victims
LGBT Bucks: Domestic Abuse
Walter Shelter Inc, Inc: Domestic Violence and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Relationships
Safe House: Power and Control Wheel for LGBT Relationships

SIBLING ABUSE

Sibling abuse was identified by the University of Michigan as the physical, emotional, or sexual abuse by one sibling towards another. Abuse between siblings ranges from pushing and shoving to using weapons for violent behavior. Rather than recognizing the behavior as abuse, parents will ignore the aggression that persists between siblings. Without seeing the behavior as physical abuse, much of the violence from siblings remains ignored. According to a study conducted in 2005, about 35 per 100 children have been abused by a sibling. In addition, sibling abuse is said to be more common than parent-child incest.

If you or someone you know has been physically or sexually assaulted by a sibling, please call the National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453, or visit the resources below:
University of Michigan: Sibling Abuse
Sibling Abuse Help Guide
Sibling Abuse: The Unspoken Threat
AAMFT (American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy): Sibling Violence
Counseling Today: Helping children and families address and prevent sibling abuse
The American Acadademy of Experts in Traumatic Stress: Understanding what sibling abuse is

NOBullying.com: The Real Truth About Sibling Abuse
Hope4Siblings
PDF chapter from The Hidden Feelings of Motherhood: The LongShadow Adult Survivors of Childhood Abuse
Professional School Counseling: Hidden Abuse within the Home: Recognizing and Responding to Sibling Abuse
Healthy Place: Sibling Abuse as a result of Childhood Mental Illness
Learning Network: Sibling Violence

SUICIDE PREVENTION

Active Minds
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Chatzy.com
Guide To Suicide Prevention
Fighting Suicide and Depression In College
It Gets Better
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255, chat
Spanish line (1-888-628-9454)

Samaritans
Stop Soldier Suicide: (844-889-5610)

Mobile Apps

A Friend Asks (android, iOS)
MY3 (android, iOS)
Ask & prevent suicide (android, iOS)
Suicide Crisis Support (android)
HELP prevent suicide (android, iOS)
Stay alive (android, iOS) UK-based
Operation reach out (iOS) veterans & military family

Hotlines

1-800-suicide (1-800-784-2433)
text telephone (1-800-799-4889)
military veterans suicide hotline (1-800-273-talk) [press 1]
suicide hotline in Spanish (1-800-273-talk) [press 2]
LGBT youth suicide hotline (1-866-4-U-Trevor)