"Jenna Brooks hits the nail on the head with this one. As a survivor of domestic violence, I wholeheartedly recommend this book to any and all, in the hopes that people will know how to proactively assist those who are escaping from or who have escaped their abuser, finding themselves completely alone and without help." - Readers Favorite
Domestic Violence awareness was the first step. It worked. Everyone's aware.
But without action, awareness means nothing.
In spite of the decades spent raising awareness, this is a culture that still doesn't comprehend the real dynamics of abuse.That's because there is a lot of bad information out there, creating the misunderstandings that lead to:
The Judgments:
She needs to protect those kids of hers.
She's exaggerating.
She pushes his buttons.
She's equally abusive.
She can't appreciate what a great guy he is.
She lets her kids disrespect her.
She could leave him if she really wanted to.
The Myths:
Abuse is an exaggerated issue.
Speaking out will keep her safe.
The courts favor mothers.
There's lots of help out there for her.
She can always go to a shelter.
Once she leaves, she'll be fine.
What we need is more awareness.
The Results:
Count to nine.
Another woman has been beaten.
And in the next twenty-four hours, three more women will die at the hands of an abuser.
The awareness campaigns worked... But what now?
After Awareness is a handbook for community outreach, designed as a guide for family, friends, and concerned bystanders who want to help battered women, but find it to be a difficult and often frustrating path. Through frank discussion about the dynamics of abuse, the aftermath, and real-world suggestions for impacting the crime of Domestic Violence, After Awareness moves beyond DV awareness to the next step: Solutions.
