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No Woman is Alone

The WOMAN Challenge Newsletter
June 24, 2008

Your relationships with others have a large impact on your mental and physical health. Violence against women and girls is devastating to the survivor, her family, her friends, and her life. Physical, sexual, mental, and emotional violence affect women and girls of all walks of life and age. It is everyone's responsibility to educate men, women, boys, and girls about prevention measures and causes of violence.

In this issue...

• WOMAN Challenge Tip
  
  
• No Woman is Alone – 18 and Older
  • Know the signs of an abuser
  • Violence prevention resources
    
    
• No Girl is Alone – 17 and Younger
  • "Warning signs" of an unhealthy relationship
  • Violence prevention resources

WOMAN Challenge Tip

• We've listened to your feedback and this year we are proud to announce a brand new program: The WOMAN Activity Tracker! The WOMAN Activity Tracker will begin on July 6, 2008 (the day after the WOMAN Challenge ends). Over a 44-week period you will be able to set personal goals and log your daily activity as you move along one of six virtual routes across the United States. You can take part in the program both as an individual and as part of a team.
  
  
• The best part, 2008 WOMAN Challenge participants do not need to re-register for the WOMAN Activity Tracker! You will be able to use your same login information for the new program.
  
  
• Be on the lookout this week for an email announcing the launch of the web site for this great new program!

No Woman is Alone – 18 and Older

It doesn't matter what race or culture you come from, how much money you have, how old you are, or if you have a disability. Violence does not discriminate. As a woman, chances are you are a survivor of abuse or know someone who is. It's important that you educate yourself and others about violence prevention - if you haven't, start here:

Know the signs of an abuser

• criticizes you for little things
• prevents or discourages you from seeing friends or family, or going to work or school
• humiliates you in front of others
• threatens to hurt you, family members, or pets, or causes harm or injury
• forces you to have sex against your will
• blames you for his or her violent outbursts

Violence prevention resources

• Violence Against Women – This specialty page will provide you with information on all types of violence against women, including specific resources and information on how to get help.
• Are you Being Abused? (Copyright © ACOG) – This simple true-false quiz helps victims and those who care about them identify the signs of abuse. It encourages victims to seek assistance and gives helpful phone numbers to call.
• The Office on Violence Against Women – Aims to reduce violence against women, and to administer justice for and strengthen services to all victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
• Dating and Violence Should Never Be A Couple: Preventing Teen Dating Violence – Check out this online webcast from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau.
• The Relationship of Adverse Childhood Experiences to Adult Health: Turning gold into lead – Learn about the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study “perhaps the largest scientific research study of its kind. It looks at the relationship between childhood trauma and health and behavior of individuals later in life.

No Girl is Alone – 17 and Younger

As a girl, you will have relationships with a lot of people from family members to friends to dating relationships. Most of the time, these relationships are fun and healthy, and they make us feel good about ourselves. Sometimes, though, these relationships can be unhealthy. Unhealthy relationships can cause someone to get hurt physically or emotionally. There are many signs that you could be in an abusive or unhealthy relationship. Take a look at this list of "warning signs" and see if any of these describe someone you know.

"Warning signs" of an unhealthy relationship

• gets angry when you talk or hang out with other friends or people of the opposite sex
• bosses you around
• often gets in fights with other people or loses his or her temper
• pressures you to have sex or to do something sexual that you don't want to do
• uses drugs and alcohol, and tries to pressure you into doing the same thing
• swears at you or uses mean language
• blames you for his or her problems, or tells you that it is your fault that he or she hurt you
• insults or tries to embarrass you in front of other people
• has physically hurt you
• makes you feel scared of their reactions to things
• always wants to know where you are going and who you are with

Violence prevention resources

• Safety: How to be Safety Savvy – Keep reading to learn how to stay safe in relationships, at school, at home, on the road, and on the Internet.
• Relationships – Find information about all kinds of relationships including family, friends, dating, and community.
• What Does It Take to Stay Safe in a Relationship? – Test your knowledge of a safe and healthy relationship with this quiz.
• Dating and Violence Should Never Be A Couple: Preventing Teen Dating Violence – Check out this online webcast from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau.

Content last updated June 24, 2008.