Accepting Help is Often the First Step in Healing
Witness to Violence: A Hatfield Family Story contains graphic descriptions of domestic violence, abuse, depression and suicidal thought. The dialog is word-for-word what was said to the best of the author’s recollection, including profanity. Readers may find some content upsetting.
It is difficult for a child to understand the cycle of violence or the reasons why an abused person chooses to remain with the Batterer. The author uses this memoir to report her own thoughts and feelings, as they occurred, in order to maintain honesty and authenticity.
In the 1960’s and ’70’s domestic violence was largely a taboo subject in America. Now much more is known about domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse. Research has identified not only the Cycle of Violence but also insight into why abuse victims stay with the Abuser. National and local resources are available to victims and survivors. If you are experiencing, or have experienced, any type of violence or abuse please reach out to one of the resources below or a teacher, counselor or mental health professional in your community.
Resources
United States National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-787-3224
Website: http://www.thehotline.org/
National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
Website: https//www.rainn.org
Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-422-453
Website https://www.childhelp.org/hotline
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-2738255
Website: http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
Children of Alcoholics–http://nacoa.org/
Adult Children of Alcoholics–http://www.adultchildren.org/
Al-Anon–https://al-anon.org/
Alcoholics Anonymous-http://www.aa.org/