Domestic Violence and Social Media (from the Health Is Social Blog)

Something to consider, if you tweet today, or connect to someone via another social media tool (as Facebook)…
remember there are people who fear to connect because they are being stalked by people with controlling intentions…

From the 8 November 2010 Health Is Social Blog item Domestic Violence and Social Media

Note: If you are a victim of domestic violence, please be sure you are safe accessing the Internet. If you have an emergency, dial 911 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE(7233). To leave this site immediately, click here.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN A DIGITALLY CONNECTED WORLD

This blog is dedicated, among other things, to exploring the intersection of health and social media. It swings its angle around different perspectives: from marketing to professional awareness of technology to the healthcare implications of the very existence of social media in our lives.

So I’m going to use this platform to talk about and raise questions about domestic violence in a world that is increasingly being overtaken by social media….

…

You see, not everybody is in exactly the same position as everyone else when it comes to social media – its use and its access.

A newly diagnosed cancer patient is in an entirely different situation from a woman whose husband or boyfriend abuses her. The former doesn’t have to worry about a husband who stalks her every move; implants spyware on her computer; and threatens to kill her if she tells anybody else what’s going on.

A tweet, or a check-in, could be as effectively dangerous as a bullet.

Violence isn’t just a physical act: its a violation, one which ranges from subtle manipulation to implicit threatening and emotional terrorizing to murder.

And therein lies the peculiar challenges of domestic violence and social media. If social media is – as is claimed – Social, then there are specific social ramifications to be considered in the context of domestic violence.

On one hand, victims of domestic violence need support and resources and the information needed to acquire them.

On the other, abusers often go to any length to control their victims. Their insecurity with themselves is so deep – so out of their own control – that they seek control and security in the emotional and visceral pain of others.

So what does a victim do when the abuser dominates so much that social media isn’t much of a safe option?…..

Related Resources

• Domestic Violence (MedlinePlus) links to trusted information in topics as overviews, coping, directories, organizations, and more
• Dating Violence(National Center for Victims of Crime)
• Domestic Violence Frequently Asked Questions(Rural Assistance Center)
• Violence against Women: Safety Planning(Dept. of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health)
• Teenagers
  • Abuse(Nemours Foundation)
  • Teen Dating Violence(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
• Men
  • Domestic Violence against Men: Know the Signs, Seek Help(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
  • Men’s Health: Violence Prevention(Dept. of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health)Domestic Violence against Women: Recognize Patterns, Seek Help(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
• Seniors
  • Domestic Violence: Older Women Can Be Victims Too(National Center on Elder Abuse) – PDF
  • enditnow.gov(Dept. of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women)Related articles

Related Articles

• He beat you and said, “I’m sorry, let’s try it again -You said, “OK”. WHY? (youneedtowriteabook.com)
• Activists assail Rittenhouse eatery for tasteless sign (philly.com)
• Domestic Violence Weekly (laviniathompsonauthor.wordpress.com)
• Salon Uses Domestic Violence Imagery to Advertise (bellasugar.com)
• ‘Domestic violence not criminalised by Senate’ (nation.com.pk)
• Beauty Cares Provides Makeover Services For Domestic Violence Victims (bellasugar.com)