AMY SHANNON,
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVOR
It is my mission and vision to help those who are survivors of domestic violence.
90% of the donations made through this
site will got to a local domestic violence organization.
All artwork and sketches are created by me. Domestic Violence Images and graphics are used with permission from NCADV
Amazon Smile: If you use the link https://smile.amazon.com/ you can select a charity to have a portion of the sales from your purchase go to a specific charity.
I have mine go to the local Domestic Violence organization in Saratoga Springs
Emergency Plan Information
What is Domestic Violence?
It may sound like a silly question, but it's not. Some victims don't think of what is happening to them is domestic violence, just because they aren't being punched or hit (or worse).
"Domestic abuse is a pattern of coercive, controlling behavior that is a pervasive life-threatening crime affecting people in all our communities regardless of gender, age, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, religion, social standing and immigration status.
Abuse is not love. It is one person in a relationship having power and control over the other person.
Domestic violence takes many forms: physical; emotional; economic; stalking and harassment; and sexual." https://centerforfamilyjustice.org/faq/domestic-violence/
Domestic violence comes in many different forms, and it is not always violence, but it is always about unconsentual control of another person.
Physical abuse, from shoving, punching, kicking, throwing objects, strangling or threats to kill
Emotional and Psychological abuse is about manipulation, control, and degradation, such as name calling, yelling and screaming, telling you what to do, what to wear, isolation from family, accusing the victimof cheating, and even some times, stalking, checking wherever you go and who you are with.
Economic and financial abuse is when the abuser controls the finances, not allowing the victim to work, or not spend any money, or maybe just give an allowance. The abuser may prevent the victim from being able to leave, by the victim not having money or a way out.
Stalking and Harassment
This can happen even if you leave, so it is best to get to a safe place that the abuser would not know where to look. Even when the victim is with the abuser, the abuser will follow, check up on the victim, make scenes in public to put the victim down.
Sexual abuse: If sex is happening to an unwilling person, even if they are married or in a committed relationship, it is still forced sexual abuse, rape.
Important links
My story is documented on my blog, My Dysfunctional Self
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My book Fractured Tears: A Struggle for Justice depicting a fictionalized version of my story
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Donations are also accepted here, or you can directly donate to Wellspring In Saratoga Springs, NY or donate to your local domestic violence organization.
The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence's NCADV
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Old Cellphones and old electronics are needed. So, to donate a phone to the NCADV Donate a phone
I created this site to educate survivors who may still be in an abusive relation. It is also to educate and show that there are many different types of abuse. Also, it is not gender specific, both women and males can be victims or survivors.
I see a victim of domestic violence who has died. I see a survivor of domestic violence because they are still alive.
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If you know someone who has died due to the hands of domestic violence, let me know their name, send me their photo and I'll add it to the memoriam page.
I will also be glad to post someone's story, and of course, keep the author anonymous. I have figured out that sometimes, writing it down, when you can't say it out loud can help.
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This website is also so you know that you're not alone. I am a survivor, and it has been 16 years. I found that writing, and forming my emotions into artwork, has helped, but I continue to progressively gain more issues due to my brain injury and my PTSD, depression and anxiety.
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I wrote a book called Fractured Tears: A Struggle for Justice depicting a fictionalized version of my story. Recently, I published a Special Edition version of the book to be for sale last November (2021) on digital format for that month only.
I will, if someone asks for it, send a free copy of the book in digital format, because that's the only form it is in. Just email me and tell me you wisht tohave a copy, and what form of digital (mobi, pdf or ePub).
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There is also a Cafe Press Store located at: https://www.cafepress.com/amyshannon
This is for different products with graphics that I've designed, and 50% of those sales will go to a local domestic violence organization in my area, called Wellspring.
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The Effect of COVID-19
In the emergence of COVID-19 pandemic, had created lockdowns, where people were basically "locked" down with their abuser, whether it be a partner or parent who was the abuser. In February 2020, the indications of Domestic Violence tripled based on a comparison of the year before (2/2019). Cities and towns from all across the United States, report increase police calls and arrests because of Domestic Violence increases, some as high as 27%. These are only the numbers that had police calls, where the abuse was reported. In general, in the United States as a whole, domestic violence increased by 8.1% during the pandemic.
Resources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7195322/
https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/domestic-violence-covid-19-increase-us-ncccj-study/
Other ways to help
Help the National Coalition for Domestic Violence (https://ncadv.org/)
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The NCADV is partnered with Cellular Recycler, and receives some of the funds from the sales of refurbished electronics.
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I am starting to collect for them, so I can also assist. So, if you have a draw full of those old phones, any condition, let me know, and I'll tell you where you can send them, or you can send them directly to NCADV (instructions at https://ncadv.org/donate-a-phone)
The not only accept cellphones and accessories, but laptops, Mp3 players, digital cameras, Video game systems, and chargers, accessories (which are accepted but there are no funds collected on those donations).
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Survivor stories
CONTACT
You Deserve Better