Thursday's Psychology Trivia Answer: Would You Help If A Friend Told You They Were Being Abused By Their SpouseAt Home?

Thought for the Day: On Tuesday I asked : What percentage of women who disclosed that they were suffering from domestic violence or had been sexually assaulted were helped by a friend after speaking up about it?
           a) 59%
           b) 85%
           c) 42%
           d) 75%

Sadly, although 54 million Americans have been victims of domestic violence and 32 million have been a victim of sexual assault. 60 percent of Americans know a victim of domestic violence or sexual assault, the answer to the question is  c.  Only 42% of respondents who were told by a friend about suffering from domestic violence or sexual abuse, helped their friend. In another study, when people were asked if they thought they would help someone they knew in the same situation, 75% said they would. Given how hard ot is for people to speak up when they are being abused, these results are disappointing. There will be a campaign to raise public awareness to the problem. Hopefully it will help move more people to action when they hear about someone dealing with domestic violence or abuse. You can read more about it here, Inaction May Compound the Problem of Domestic Violence from the website Everyday Health.

Tuesday's Psychology Trivia: If A Friend Was a Victim of Domestic Violence, What Would You Do?

Thought for the Day: 54 million Americans have been victims of domestic violence and 32 million have been a victim of sexual assault. 60 percent of Americans know a victim of domestic violence or sexual assault. If you knew a friend was suffering from domestic violence or had been sexually assaulted, what would you do? Given the size of this problem in the United States, what do you think the answer to today's trivia question is:

What percentage of women who disclosed that they were suffering from domestic violence or had been sexually assaulted were helped by a friend after speaking up about it?
           a) 59%
           b) 85%
           c) 42%
           d) 75%

Come back on Thursday for the answer.

What Are Your #WW Wake Up Wednesday Moments: From Domestic Violence & Feeling Invisible to Reaching Dreams

Thought for the Day: Last week I started this new kind of post: #WW Wake Up Wednesday Moments, where your needs are central to the post. In order to do that I set some simple ground rules to insure that this community feels safe enough to share your highs and lows.

I'd like to reiterate the guidelines for posting:
1) Avoid making judgements of other people's life choices, 2) all comments should be supportive & constructive, 3) feel free to share advice based on your experiences recognizing that they may or may not be accepted by other readers, 4) treat all comments with respect; 5) no dream is too big or too small to share; 6) all accomplishments will be encouraged; and 7) all challenges will be met with constructive supportive suggestions.


Last week, I shared my high and low wake up moments for the last couple of weeks. I asked you, my readers to share yours as well. Two people shared incredible stories. I am thankful that they took the risk to be the 1st to share their Wake Up Dream Moments. I responded to them personally, but have not heard your input, yet. So I decided to post their comments. Please share your thoughts and constructive suggestions here today. I also hope that you will all consider sharing your own stories that may help these two strong people. The first comment is from a woman who is still struggling and searching for ways to cope with adversity. The 2nd post by Cathie is the inspirational story of how far she has come from feeling invisible in high school to becoming a strong woman on the path to her dreams!

Here are the two comments from last Wednesday:

AnonymousAugust 14, 2013 at 4:27 PM

Looks like I get to start this...

"My low for the week relates to my kids. I have 2 that have been living with their father (my ex). My daughter has been very unhappy because of things going on and wanting to return. She's talked about things her father is doing that bother her and how he treats her compared to her brother. My son is allowed to get away with anything, including threatening his sister. Their father uses his health issues and memory problems to tell my daughter that she needs to remind him when she's told him about things her brother has done so that he remembers to reprimand him. This lead to 3 altercations in my home in less than a week. I resorted to calling law enforcement in after he jabbed me in the throat (fist to the throat) when I stepped in between him and his sister because he was threatening her. I reacted and slapped him but did not leave a mark what-so-ever. He then slammed me into a door twice, using his forearm across my throat the second time. Things resulted in hi being arrested. Now, he is back with his dad because I admitted that I slapped him during the altercation. I want my son to learn boundaries and to treat women with respect. Unfortunately, he's not learning it there. To boot, I've had an attorney that I've been trying to get to get papers filed with the court to reopen things and he's dragging his feet. I'm depressed and feeling at the end of my rope.

On a positive note, I had to move. It was a state to state move. I've started getting things organized. Almost have my kitchen to where I like it and have started getting things posted on an area on-line site so I can both downsize (necessary) and earn some money while I look for a job. Plus, I got a resume set up with the state workforce office this week."

     Have you gone through a messy divorce or struggled with a teenager who is out of control? What has helped you cope with these kinds of issues. If you are a therapist, what ideas do you have for this mother who is facing so many challenges?

CathieAugust 15, 2013 at 1:47 AM

"I attended my 30th high school reunion. I recognized many people, but they did not recognize me. In high school, I was a person that blended well with the wall. My father was an alcoholic, my mother a woman that needed a man, to make her feel worthy. My only goal after high school was to be happy. Honestly, I can say I have achieved that. I am a strong woman, wife, mother of 2 & 1 angel, survivor of a terrible car accident in 1990 (my car went under a semi-truck), and even survived a year off in 2009-2010 due to the economy.

The reunion was a great wake up call to remind me what I have accomplished, and that nothing is impossible, if I can dream it, it can happen."

        Have you ever felt invisible? What has helped you overcome childhood and adolescent difficulties like Cathie's? 

        I hope you will help me build this community and share your thoughts and supportive suggestions.