Coping with Abuse
Michael Greene and Beverly Rainbolt are free-lance writers living in New Orleans.
No matter what program, or which several programs, a woman chooses to seek help through, or even if she decides upon individual professional therapy, it is universally agreed that the most important aspect to bring about change in her life is for her to believe that she is a worthwhile human being.
Every
Woman's Bill of Rights
1. Every woman has the right to be treated with respect by everyone.
2. Every woman has the right to be heard.
3. Every woman has the right to take charge of her life.
4. Every woman has the right to make decisions that will insure her safety and protection and that of her children.
5. Every woman has the right to respect herself at all times.
6. Every woman has the right to compliment, praise, and pat herself on the back every day.
7. Every woman has the right to be her own best friend.
New Ways
to Think About Yourself
Because the abused woman has received such overwhelming messages about what
a "bad" person she is, it will take concentrated and determined
effort for her to combat those messages with opposing ones. One way for the
woman to get positive messages about herself literally into her brain with
all her senses is to, at least once each day, stand looking into a mirror
and verbalize, aloud, affirmative statements, such as:
• I am not to blame for being abused.
• I do not like or want to be abused.
• I deserve to be treated with respect.
• I can decide for myself what is best for me.
• I can ask others to help me because I am not alone.
• I am worth the work it takes to change.
• I deserve to make my own life safe and happy.
