October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. According to statistics, one in four women and one in six men will experience domestic violence in their lives, with approximately two women killed by their partners per week. I’ve sadly had a couple of friends who’ve been involved in relationships which are not built on love, respect and treating each other with kindness. This was written after hearing about a friends beating at the hands of the man who supposedly loved her.
Love isn’t
Love isn’t arguments
Followed by blows
Asking forgiveness
With the giving of a rose
Love isn’t possession
And threats should you leave
Love isn’t restrictive
Not letting you breathe
Love isn’t impatient
Love isn’t unkind
Love isn’t playing games
That destroy your mind
Love isn’t stressful
Nail biting, or fearful
Love isn’t angry
Or constantly tearful
Love isn’t angry
Resentful or jealous
Love isn’t hurtful
Or cruelly malicious
Please heed my words
As you lovers abound
Treat people badly
What goes, comes around
If you or anyone you care about has been affected by domestic violence, please seek help. Here’s the link to the National Network to End Domestic Violence. You can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline, run by Refuge and Women’s Aid, on 0808 2000 247 – or if you are in an LGBT relationship, you can also call the helpline run by Galop UK on 0800 999 5428. Male victims can call also the Men’s Advice Line on 0808 801 0327.