Know Your Power violence prevention program

02/02/24

Know Your Power violence prevention program

Gadsden State Community College is promoting a new violence prevention program at all five of its campuses. The program is made possible thanks to a grant from the Megan Montgomery Foundation.

“We have a serious crisis in Alabama when it comes to intimate partner violence,” said Elizabeth Wheatley, the College’s grant writer who secured the funding. “Nearly 40 percent of women and 30 percent of men experience partner physical violence, sexual violence and/or stalking at some point during their lifetime. Those statistics are frightening. We want to do what we can to encourage healthy relationships.”

The digital awareness campaign is known as “Know Your Power.” Digital ads and social media posts as well as stickers and posters will circulate to Gadsden State students.

“This program ensures that our students and employees are informed of safe and helpful ways to advocate for friends in need as well as the needed encouragement to speak up,” she said.

Gadsden State students are encouraged to recognize red flags of potentially abusive relationship as well as tactics used to potentially control victims, also known as “love bombing.”

RED FLAGS

Demands access to your phone and social media.
Isolates you from friends and family.
Uses jealousy to justify behavior.
Follows you or shows up unexpectedly at your dorm, class or job.
Criticizes you.
Calls you derogatory names.
Threatens to hurt you or hurt themselves.
They don’t take “no” for an answer.

LOVE BOMBING

Intense attention in the beginning.
Never-ending compliments.
Demands commitment early in relationship.
Disrespects boundaries.
Mirrors your personality.
Showers you with affection, gifts and promises for the future.

All battering is dangerous. One push or shove can quickly escalate to a life-threatening situation. According to the Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence, abuse increases in frequency and severity over time. Certain behaviors, actions and words by an abuser indicate particular danger for you. Here are warning signs to look for to determine if you are in a risky situation.