Even after the 60s movement hit its mark, inspired more women to take control of their own lives, and changed the way of thinking for most of the free world, some women still remain in a suppressed state of being to this day. Domestic violence takes place in all walks of life. There is no race, color, or creed that is exempt from the possibility of it occurring within their households.
Battered women are made to feel worthless and insignificant through the hands of their abusers. The longer the abuse takes place, the more worthless these women are made to feel. With each passing day, they will fall deeper and deeper into their dark holes of hopelessness and depression.
However, what some of these women are not aware of is that there is a way out. Now more than ever, there is so much help out there for battered and abused women. There are domestic abuse hotlines and women’s shelters which will provide counseling and assistance with finding new housing.
The Persistence of Abuse Today
Educational Opportunities for Survivors of Abuse
One of the best action steps a battered woman can do for her self is to further her education. This way she can become inter-dependent so she can contribute to herself and her family without manipulation and control; but the first thing she must do is get out of the abusive relationship.
Once she finds the courage and the help that she needs to get out of the situation she is in, she will want to better her chances of finding stable employment through higher education. As a result, she will need funding.
As a result, Helping Voices have created the Howard E. Dean Jr. scholarship. The scholarship is offered to women survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and/or child abuse so that they may pursue an education and begin to turn their lives around. To be eligible for this scholarship, the women must have left their abusive relationships, received counseling amongst other requirements.