Day Ten: Sexting
If you are still in the early stages of a relationship, texting can be a fun way to share more of yourselves, whether that’s pictures of your cat or more intimate thoughts and feelings. The thing is, when you hit the send button, you have lost control over who sees that message. Once you sext or send an explicit photo, for example, you are losing control over who may see that photo.
Partners who are abusive may ask for a photo or more, or may coerce and manipulate you into giving them what they want. Saying things like “if you really loved me” or “you must not trust me” is more subtle and manipulative than just “send me a photo now” — be wary of anyone who does not respect the boundaries you have set up.
When you are in a committed relationship, texting can be a way to quickly talk to each other about your day, make plans for the weekend or share photos and videos. Unfortunately, it also has the potential to become another avenue for abuse.
Avoid texting constantly asking for an answer — not only is it very annoying, it can border on downright unhealthy. Demanding to know why your partner is not answering your texts is aggressive and controlling. And if your partner is texting 20, 30 or hundreds of messages at once demanding to know your whereabouts, that’s definitely a warning sign for unhealthy or even abusive behavior.
Do you feel like your partner is suffocating you because they text constantly? Are you feeling threatened or like they have control over your life via text? Do they text you fun and sweet messages or are those texts also often berating, yelling, manipulating, or making you feel anxious and fearful? If so, it is possible that your relationship is unhealthy or abusive.
National Domestic Violence Hotline – love is respect
Every year during the 16 days from November 25 through December 10, Zonta Clubs around the world participate in the Zonta Says No to Violence Against Women campaign.
The graphics shared during this year’s campaign contain information about domestic violence, depicting some of the signs, as well as the myths surrounding it, and the far-reaching impacts it has on those who suffer from it and/or witness domestic violence.
Clinton County Daily News.com will run this campaign through December 10.