Dealing with abuse

We might be living in the 21st century and our President might be a woman but many women in our country are not leading great lives.Women, most of them young, are victims of physical, mental and sexual abuse mainly in urban areas.

The shocking aspect is that teenagers are also victims of such abuse.

Counsellor Radha Maggeri has some advise:

-  Slapping, kicking, beating, verbal humiliation, destruction of belongings, hurting loved ones, forced sex are just a few forms of abuse in relationships.
 
-  Teenagers should wake up and realise that if they are being abused, then such relationships are no good.
- Do not undergo any kind of violence silently, instead revolt.
- There should be reaction to the violence in some form.
-  Speak about the violence to your close friends or somebody you feel you can trust. This can help you come out of such relationships and some solution can be worked out.
-  Counselling helps you know what is good and bad for you.
-  Divert your mind towards something which interests you and keep yourself involved in it.
-  Make it clear that you are not somebody who can be kicked and spat at.
-  Do not fall prey to silly reasons like boys are stronger than girls and that violence should be accepted.
-  Violence should not be taken for granted.
-  Learn to be more practical. Do not be foolish to think that your unconditional love can bear all the violence.
-  Do not be scared of social stigmas like fear of becoming an outcast in the friends’
circle.
-   Do not assume that you belong to the weaker sex and don’t give in.