The Story
Sharing a love of story (and of the weird) with our girl has become one of my great joys during The Time of Covid (speaking of weird).
We’re working our way through The Twilight Zone, discussing how each episode promotes a theme in different ways. Lighting, camera angles, backdrops, repetition.
The theme of some episodes is obvious, while other episode themes float up through the subconscious, finally becoming clear.
On occasion, we stray from streaming the sometimes-squeamish monochromatic episodes hosted by understated, odd Rod Serling.
When we switch to in-your-face, full-color DIY shows on HGTV, the difference is glaring. Not so much in the shows–nor even in the jocular, cut-cookie hosts–but in the commercial breaks.
Twilight Zone fades, but returns within seconds, wrapping us in fantasy, keeping us involved.
Our favorite DIY shows abandon us–for minutes on end–to endorsements of products we don’t have, don’t want, don’t need (until we’re convinced otherwise).
Recent commercials repeated a theme, saturating my subconscious.
About halfway through the third commercial break, I noticed.
Redundant to the point of being, well, a little Twilight Zone-ish, the commercials even used similar wording.
Almost every spot referenced the “comfort and safety” of our homes.
“Shop from the safety and comfort of your home!”
And I began to wonder.
How do THEY know our homes are safe?
The Concern
Domestic abuse increases after disasters. In the aftermath of Covid, reports of domestic violence have jumped 30-50% in some countries.
Children, women, and men in the United States–and around the world–are living through domestic violence.
Right now.
As I write.
As you read.
Victims manage to survive in typical times, but what about now, stuck at home with a potential abuser?
What if home is neither comfortable nor safe?
Approximately 1 in 4
Department of Health &Human Services, CDC
women and nearly 1 in
7 men in the U.S. have
experienced severe
physical violence by
an intimate partner
at some point in
their lifetime.
The Hope
Some of my friends have escaped domestic violence and lived to tell about it. Others live, but won’t tell. The fear is still too tangible.
My good friend Sue is a 1-in-4, but she’s not a victim.
She’s a survivor.
And now she advocates on behalf of others.
She provides solutions and hope.
Join me tomorrow. Meet my sweet, strong friend.
Hear a bit of her story, learn about available resources, and maybe decide to help others.
Because
we can help the 1-in-4…all from the comfort and safety of our own homes.
If you are experiencing or have survived violence, tomorrow’s post will include resources specifically for you.
You are not alone. Not ever. XO
I’m not familiar with resources available in other countries. If your country has an official domestic abuse hotline or website, PLEASE post it in the comments. Someone reading this may need that information. *If you’re using information posted in the comments, please be sure to verify its authenticity. I’ll have no way to check.
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