It can be hard to see someone you love affected by domestic violence, and it\u2019s natural to want to help in any way you can. If you\u2019re concerned about a friend, a family member, or someone you love, and you\u2019re worried that they may be in an unsafe relationship, start by thinking back to what you\u2019ve seen in the relationship. Many people consider only physical violence when they think about an unsafe or potentially unsafe relationship\u2014but physical violence does not have to be present for a relationship to be unhealthy.<\/p>\n
An abusive partner might:<\/p>\n
The best thing you can do to help someone you care about is to be supportive. Even though you can\u2019t control whether they stay in the relationship, establishing a support system can help empower someone to reach out for help and sometimes choose to leave when they are ready.\u00a0 You don’t have to be the expert, but let your friend know they can talk with an expert 24\/7 by calling our 24-hour hotline at 708-485-5254.<\/p>\n
If you need help or would like to talk to someone about your options, call our 24-hour hotline at 708-485-5254. You are not alone. Click here to learn more about our services and what resources are available to you.\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n In addition to being a support system for people in your life, there are also ways you can be an ally in your community.<\/p>\n See something, say something. <\/strong>You can still provide support to someone who may need it, even if you don\u2019t know them personally. Bystander intervention<\/em> is the term used to describe intervening in a situation that may seem unsafe or problematic for the people involved. This could be something as simple as striking up a conversation with someone who may seem uncomfortable with the person they\u2019re sitting next to on the bus, or it could be something like helping to diffuse an argument in a public place. Many people who witness these types of situations choose not to intervene because they don\u2019t know what to do or don\u2019t want to make the situation worse, but bystander intervention can be an effective way to help someone who may need it.<\/p>\n Note: While bystander intervention is often effective in diffusing a situation, the goal is to redirect, not create a more dangerous situation. There may be times when it\u2019s better to call for help. If someone has a weapon or implies that they intend to hurt themselves or someone else, call 911.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Volunteer. <\/strong>If you want to help survivors of domestic and sexual violence in your community, consider volunteering. Pillars Community Health has many different volunteer opportunities available in our Domestic and Sexual Violence program. Volunteers assist with taking calls to our 24-hour hotline, assisting with responsibilities at our shelter, and more. Click here to learn more about volunteering.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nHow to Help Your Community<\/strong><\/span><\/h6>\n