Every single day, people are abused and assaulted by their romantic partners. It's absolutely horrible, but domestic violence is a daily reality for so many people.
According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, "1 in 4 women (24.3%) and 1 in 7 men (13.8%) aged 18 and older in the United States have been the victim of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime."
Intimate partner violence affects more than 12 million people every single year.
Domestic violence isn't just an American problem; it's an issue worldwide. The World Health Organization says that "almost one-third (30%) of women who have been in a relationship report that they have experienced some form of physical violence and/or sexual violence by their intimate partner in their lifetime."
Police in Scotland decided to address local domestic violence in a very unique way: on Twitter.
They wrote a powerful message to a victim of domestic violence through a series of tweets. Take a look at what they said below.
[H/T: ScaryMommy]
Thumbnail Photo: Pixabay / StockSnap
The police wrote:
A letter to a young woman in #Skye.
We know you follow this account and want you to see this.
We've told you previously that we think you are at risk of domestic abuse from your partner.
We want to help you and are doing lots with other agencies to keep you safe.
You might not see us, you might not even like us being involved but we are always thinking about how we can help you.
Your family and friends have told you they think you are in danger — they support your [sic] and want you to be safe.
We think he’s probably told you, “It won’t happen again”, “I’m sorry”, “I’ll change”, he’s maybe even told you that it’s your fault — IT’S NOT.
The violence, threats, degrading comments and controlling behaviour are not the life you need to lead, it can be better.
You are not trapped and you are not alone, we can help get you out, your family and friends can help you get out and @scotwomensaid can help you get out.
Call us, come to the Police station, phone someone, speak to local Womens Aid worker 01478613365 or 0800 027 1234.
There is #NoExcuse for #DomesticAbuse. Help is out there.
Everyone was moved by the tweets, and many shared their thoughts in the comments.
One woman responded to the tweets by writing, "This thread: a truly remarkable and powerful use of social media. Very impressive, @LochabSkyePol."
Another Twitter user wrote, "Proper Police Service. I hope the lady and anyone else reading this that is suffering abuse from their partner seeks help and doesn't have to suffer alone."
"Incredible use of social media to reach out to this woman. Thank you. I was lucky to have amazing police involved when I was hospitalised 20 years ago. May she stay safe," wrote another woman.
Another woman shared her own story, writing:
Reading this now after leaving a very toxic and violent relationship, it reminds me that there are people out there that help. An officer helped me as did his team. I have never been so scared in my life but I did it. I left and now I feel like a human being, not a punching bag.
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