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Counseling to be offered to women
Any woman who has endured an abusive relationship knows that getting out and moving on in her life can be the hardest time.
Starting Thursday, the Women's Center and the Counseling Center are working together to provide a support group for women who are either recovering from an emotionally or physically abusive relationship or are still stuck in one.
"We want those who need (to) to come in and try it," said Lee LaDue, assistant director of the Women's Center. "They are not stuck there, not required to stay; it is just to let them know."
However, getting this group off the ground has run into a few problems. Late advertising and small advertising has limited those who know. They need a minimum of five people to run the group. So far, there has been fewer than that. With hope and more people they will try to hold it again this week.
From 3 to 4:30 p.m. Thursdays in the Counseling Center in Stewart Hall, both LaDue and Rose Stark, counselor, will conduct meetings. They will combine efforts, educational material and deal with current issues in one another's lives to help those who need help. The group is open to all.
This group has been in the making for a long time. Over time, while dealing with many women who seek the help and counseling of both the Women's Center and the Counseling Center, the victims of abusive relationships seemed to need more than just counseling, they needed a way to move on and to heal. The power of support and sharing gave LaDue and Stark an idea.
"There have been support groups at the Women's Center before," said LaDue. "Some (victims) have experienced some sexual assault, abuse and other forms of neglect. We want these victims to feel like it's OK to trust again. It is difficult to trust again, there are also long-lasting effects. The self esteem, wanting a new relationship but not yet being able to deal with it."
LaDue wants those who attend to find a way to share and to learn from one another. Everyone has their own story, their own personal horror and sharing helps those feel that they are not alone.
"There is a connection between relationships and the past," said LaDue. "They (victims) have the abilities to feel good about themselves. It is not understanding the aspects and cycles of abusive relationships that makes it hard to heal. This is helping to understand."
Many women do not realize that they may be in an abusive relationship or they feel stuck and that they can not get out. Abusive relationships are categorized by someone who is overly jealous, plays mind games, refuses to take responsibility for their actions, throws or break things to show anger, doesn't respect your choices or becomes overly demanding. An abusive partner can do one, some or all of these things listed and more. Those who see the connection are most likely in an abusive relationship.
"This is to gain insights," said LaDue. "To become empowered. It might be good to go, it might be scary."
Nissa Billmyer can be reached at: [email protected]
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