Her Story

The consequences of domestic violence can cross generations and truly last a lifetime. Dr. Jordan knows first hand the consequences of domestic violence and as a survivor she uses her personal experiences as a survivor of domestic violence along with 4 other stories from women who have survived domestic violence in Her Story. A bystander, doer and survivor all have an instrumental part in ending domestic violence. This book is intended to help Bystanders, Doers and Survivors. Her Story helps BYSTANDERs A bystander approach to ending domestic violence is about enabling community members to prevent and intervene in violence. In this approach whole communities are part of the solution to end abuse. This book is intended to help you with becoming an active bystander. Her Story helps DOERs A doer is the person who has committed the abuse. The doer is characterized by an action. While many texts will identify doers as abusers, I think it’s important to distinguish based on actions. Using the word “doer” applies that the person has the right to change. This book is intended to help you with starting to change. It is designed to increase empathy and motivate you to change by gaining a better understanding of the impact of different abusive behavior, with worksheets that will help you begin a plan for changing and with a toolbox at the end of the book to assist you with ongoing changes. Her Story helps SURVIVORs The term victim refers to someone that has been hurt, damaged, or killed or has suffered. The term survivor refers to a person who survives, especially a person remaining alive after an event in which others have died. If you have experienced domestic violence and you are still alive you are a survivor. I am hoping by reading my story and the stories of other survivors in this book that you will understand the fight you are in and borrow from their stories anything that may help you understand that you are not alone provide you with valuable resources and information. In order to meet help Her Story has 4 components. 1. First, it starts with the stories of survivors of domestic violence. It details the beginning, middle and end of their relationships. Revelations 12:11 says… we overcome by the blood of the lamb and the words of our testimony. They shared their stories because they wanted to help communities overcome domestic violence. 2. A bio is included at the end of each survivors story. I hope the bio instills hope as you read that about how all of these women are now using their experiences to help others. They are each successful survivors and if they can overcome we can all win the fight against domestic violence. 3. Following each story there are follow up worksheets that are designed to begin the brainstorming needed for individuals, couples and groups to begin to think about strategies that they can employ individually and collectively to stop domestic violence. It is important to complete these worksheets because. 4. The 4th component of the book is “toolboxes,” which includes a section for survivors, doers and bystanders. It is designed to help you “sharpen your ax.” The toolboxes are comprised of a combination of surveys, community resources, and worksheets to begin action planning. The importance of action planning is that it forces you into the process of doing something, typically to achieve an aim. The aim here would be helping the community to overcome domestic violence. Read more