10/04/2021
This amazing speech by Patrick Stewart is perfect for sharing during October's Domestic Violence Awareness Month. A longtime outspoken advocate for survivors of domestic violence, the renowned actor grew up in a home where his mother suffered frequent abuse from his father and has called violence against women the "single greatest human rights violation of our generation." Stewart has also called on other men to speak out on violence against women, saying: "Violence against women is learned. Each of us must examine - and change - the ways in which our own behavior might contribute to, enable, ignore or excuse all such forms of violence. I promise to do so, and to invite other men and allies to do the same."
"The work that I do in campaigns about violence towards women, particularly domestic violence, is something that grew out of my own childhood experience," Stewart said in a speech where he talked about his work with organizations that support survivors of domestic violence, including the UK-based group Refuge. "I do what I do in my mother's name, because I couldn't help her then. Now I can." He also added he had recently learned that his father suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder due to WWII-related combat. After this discovery, he began to work with Combat Stress, an organization that helps combat veterans deal with their experiences in a healthy, non-abusive manner.
For several excellent books for children and teens struggling with anger issues, we highly recommend "40 Awesome Activities to Help Children Calm Down, Cope, and Regain Control" for ages 5 to 9 (https://www.amightygirl.com/anger-management-workbook-kids), "How to Take the GRRR Out of Anger" for ages 8 to 12 (https://www.amightygirl.com/grrr-out-of-anger), and "The Anger Workbook for Teens" for ages 13 and up (https://www.amightygirl.com/the-anger-workbook-for-teens)
For an invaluable book for adults about the early warning signs of abusive relationships, myths about abusive personalities, and how to get help, we also recommend "Why Does He Do That?: Inside the Minds of Angry and Controlling Men" at https://www.amightygirl.com/why-does-he-do-that
For stories of girls and women experiencing and overcoming abuse and violence in their lives -- which offer a helpful way to talk to young people about the widespread problem of violence against women -- visit our “Abuse & Violence" book section at http://amgrl.co/2BFzFSf
And, if you’re a parent concerned that your daughter may be in an unhealthy relationship, check out the books “Saving Beauty From The Beast: How to Protect Your Daughter from an Unhealthy Relationship” (https://www.amightygirl.com/saving-beauty-from-the-beast) and “But I Love Him: Protecting Your Teen Daughter from Controlling, Abusive Relationships” (https://www.amightygirl.com/but-i-love-him)
