Domestic Violence Resources

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, but you can find resources and information all year round at the library. Below are print and digital books that are available in our collection. Additionally, every branch has public computers that you can use to access information through our databases and on the internet. Several such online resources are listed below as well.

 

PRINT BOOKS FOR ADULTS

 

Goodbye, Sweet Girl

Goodbye, Sweet Girl: A Story of Domestic Violence and Survival (Kelly Sundberg) – “"In this brave and beautiful memoir...a woman chronicles how her marriage devolved from a love story into a shocking tale of abuse--examining the tenderness and violence entwined in the relationship, why she endured years of physical and emotional pain, and how she eventually broke free."-- From the publisher.”

 

Healing the Scars of Emotional Abuse

Healing the Scars of Emotional Abuse (Gregory L. Jantz) – “This helpful guide reveals how those who have been emotionally abused can overcome the past and rebuild their self-image.”

 

Healing Well and Living Free From An Abusive Relationship

Healing Well and Living Free from an Abusive Relationship (Ramona Probasco) – “Herself a victim of an abusive relationship, Probasco recounts how one out of every four women in the United States will experience some form of domestic violence or abuse in her lifetime. She takes readers through a step-by-step process for moving from victim to survivor to overcomer. Each chapter encourages the reader to call it what it is, understand the mindset of the abuser, break the cycle of violence, recognize what forgiveness is and is not, find a healthy support system, and more. Chapters include Scriptural promises readers can apply to their situation, and questions for further reflection.”

 

Victory Over Verbal Abuse

Victory over Verbal Abuse: A Healing Guide to Renewing Your Spirit and Reclaiming Your Life (Patricia Evans) – “"Patricia Evans brings you the tools you need to triumph over verbal abuse, no matter where or how you encounter it. She'll introduce you to a powerful healing process and provide: A thorough review of available therapies; Strategies for dealing with abusers; Positive messages of support and encouragement; Inspiring affirmations for every week of the year"--P. [4] of cover.”


 

PRINT BOOKS FOR CHILDREN

 

A Terrible Thing Happened

A Terrible Thing Happened (Margaret M. Holmes) – “After Sherman sees something terrible happen, he becomes anxious and then angry, but when a counselor helps him talk about these emotions he feels better.”

 

Hands Are Not for Hitting

Hands Are Not for Hitting (Martine Agassi) – “Demonstrates that "hands are not for hitting" by suggesting many positive uses for them, such as saying hello, playing, creating, and helping.”


HOOPLA: DIGITAL E-BOOKS FOR ADULTS

 

How He Gets into Her Head: The Mind of the Intimate Male Abuser (Don Hennessy) – “The Mind of the Male Intimate Abuser presents some ground-breaking ideas and prompts a radical reappraisal of how we think about and understand male intimate abuse and violence. Over the last fifty years an array of resources and interventions have been brought to bear on domestic violence and abuse between intimate partners. Yet intimate abuse continues to be endemic in our society. One of the principal reasons for this lack of effective intervention is that we have ignored a critical ingredient which is the foundation of long-term intimate abuse and violence. This book uncovers the layers of covert tactics which men employ to establish and maintain control over their intimate partner. By deepening our understanding of what is going on the author suggests that we can develop a more efficient and consistent response to the issue. Working with both the perpetrators and victims of intimate partner abuse has given the author a unique insight into the tactics employed by the male abuser. He suggests that male intimate abuse and violence are driven by an entitlement to sexual priority and that the other tactics of control and violence are motivated by this entitlement. It is this motivation that distinguishes male intimate violence from other forms of 'domestic violence' such as female to male violence and elder abuse. The author details the similarities in tactics and motivation between the paedophile and the male intimate abuser. He has found that by explaining these tactics to victims he has released many of them from the mind-control that they have experienced.”

 

Point of Rescue: Remembrance, Mourning, Recovering from Intimate Partner Abuse (Ricky Hunter) – “Point of Rescue… remembrance… mourning: recovering from intimate partner abuse is an intensely personal work continuing the journey of Point Last Seen… a road to recovery after childhood sexual abuse and domestic violence. This second book chronicles Ricky's life from the time she kidnapped her own son and took flight to a new life away from abuse and torture. Rarely do we hear the stories of women who have stepped back from the abyss and are safe after escaping an abusive husband. Rarely do we realize the tortuous road they are faced with: long-term health outcomes, mental illness and post traumatic stress disorder. Leaving the abusive situation is just the beginning for Ricky as she assumes a new identity for fear of being found and killed, or her son abducted back to New Zealand. Within weeks of arriving in Australia Ricky receives the crushing news that her son Jonty had suffered brain damage as a result of his birth history and being shaken at six months of age; this condemned him to on-going health problems including intellectual disability, epilepsy, autism and reactive schizophrenia. Ricky has her own battle life with mental illness as she struggles to build her new life, process the aftermath of trauma, and hold down a fulltime job. Ricky finds a therapist who sets her thinking about a road to recovery, and takes up the challenge. This therapeutic journey covers years of complicated counseling. Using her own experience with Intimate Partner Abuse Ricky empowers herself by presenting workshops to health professionals. 100 workshops later and she is still going! A staunch advocate for the RSPCA Pets in Crisis Program, Ricky now talks with school students about healthy relationships and dating abuse and link between pet abuse and domestic violence.”

 

Breaking Free: Ten Women's Stories about Surviving Domestic Abuse (Sharon Anderson) – “"Off and on I'd try to break free of the relationship, but I always went back..." So begins one woman's story of domestic violence, but the words she penned could have come from anyone. That is because at its core, each instance of domestic violence tells the same story, enacted again and again across different lives and through generations. Breaking Free is a collection of ten women's stories of emotional and physical hurt, heartbreak, and triumph. It celebrates all the women who have escaped their abusers, and mourns those who haven't. In these pages you will meet strangers whose strength and courage is wholly remarkable and yet entirely commonplace, and you will find that no one is ever truly alone.”

 

What to Do When Love Turns Violent: A Practical Resource for Women in Abusive Relationships (Marian Betancourt) – “What to Do When Love Turns Violent empowers you to find help and take back your life. Here is everything you need to know to make the right choices. The first part spells out an action plan to get out of danger and find immediate help: making a protective order work; calling the police; finding safe shelter; seeking medical attention; getting financial assistance. Part 2 details how to stay safe and regain control over your life: preparing for safety at home and on the job; protecting your children; rebuilding your life. Includes an extensive list of national and community organizations where you can find help.”


HOOPLA: DIGITAL E-BOOKS FOR CHILDREN

 

Something's Wrong at Mason's Home (Amanda Ready & Beth Zylowicz) – “Something’s Wrong at Mason’s Home is an interactive learning tool that encourages children to break the silence regarding family violence. This children’s book helps parents and educators speak with children about a topic that is often difficult and uncomfortable to address. Somethings Wrong at Masons Home is unique, enjoyable, and fun for children, parents, and educators. Masons story of family violence helps encourage children to create their own safety plans, teaches them the differences between healthy communication and unhealthy communication, and provides creative strategies to encourage children to speak openly about their family experiences which, in turn, can help protect them and prevent future abuse.”

 

My Quiet Ship (Hallee Adelman & Sonia Sanchez) – “Whenever the yelling in his house starts, Quinn runs to a special hiding place. There he becomes captain of the Quiet Ship, where he can get far, far away from the yelling that hurts his ears and makes him feel scared. But one day the Quiet Ship is broken and Quinn needs a new plan, one that requires him to be brave. A thoughtful treatment of a difficult topic, this story is for any child who faces fighting in the home.”

 

Please Note: In order to bring you new and interesting titles, Hoopla content is updated monthly, and these titles may not be available in the future. To find the latest titles, please visit hoopladigital.com.


 

All branches of the St. Tammany Parish Library have public computers with internet access. Below are databases that the Library offers, as well as internet resources that you might find helpful.

 

The National Domestic Violence Hotline: https://www.thehotline.org (website); 1 (800) 799-7233 (toll free)

 

LEGAL HELP AND INFORMATION

Legal Information Reference Center (database)

Gale Legal Forms for Louisiana (database)

LouisianaLawHelp.org (website)

Free Legal Research through George Mason University's Antonin Scalia School of Law (website)

 

JOB AND EDUCATION ASSISTANCE

Tri-Parish Works (website, part of the Louisiana Workforce Commission)

GCFLearnFree.org (website)

Louisiana Jobs and Career Center (website)

Homework Louisiana (database)

Fact Monster Homework Help (website)

Learning Express Library (database)

 

HEALTH, HOUSING, AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

HUD (website)

WIC (website)

Family Promise of St. Tammany (website)

The National Domestic Violence Hotline (website)

 

Note: This list was compiled by Lynn from our Causeway Branch as a student project.