The Love Shouldn’t Hurt campaign is looking to erase the stigma of being a victim of abuse in New Brunswick.
Social Marketing Coordinator Meranda McLaughlin says there are many different forms of abuse and there is support available.
Intimate partner violence takes many forms #IPV #NB pic.twitter.com/ZXskRnBBYF
— Love Should NB (@LoveShouldNB) July 13, 2016
She says the numbers show in most cases of intimate partner violence, males are abusing females, but that’s not the whole story.
“That by no means is the be all, end all of what this looks like, an abusive person can be anyone, a perpetrator can be anyone,” says McLaughlin. “And we really wanted to use language that conveyed that.”
McLaughlin adds while both genders face challenges of overcoming shame, men in particular feel unable to ask for help.
“That’s something that we are looking at and trying to address by helping to show there’s resources available, you shouldn’t be ashamed, it’s not your fault, it’s never the fault of the victim,” says McLaughlin. “And we want people to feel comfortable coming forward.”
Abuse is never the fault of the victim. Learn more at: https://t.co/KMGuaSRU1l pic.twitter.com/Cw0t4nW9x7
— Love Should NB (@LoveShouldNB) July 8, 2016
McLauhglin adds they issued an open invitation to New Brunswickers to share their thoughts and advice about intimate partner violence.
“Two separate male individuals who contributed to this both spoke about what they feel are extra challenges in being a male, and coming forward in terms of people believing them or going past those feelings of shame about their masculinity and being a victim of abuse,” says McLaughlin.
She says if you feel in immediate danger you should call the police, but if it’s not life threatening there is a service directory on the government website HERE
“It includes phone numbers, email addresses for transition homes, for domestic violence outreach workers so if you just have a question and you’re not really sure what the next step would be, so that you can really be put in contact with individuals who know their stuff, and can give you help and support,” says McLaughlin.
McLaughlin says you can also reach out the Love Shouldn’t Hurt Campaign on Facebook and Twitter, and they will help you through there too.
