An Iowa University researcher supports a global effort against domestic abuse

Iowa City, Iowa – Even though most individuals hate going to work, victims of domestic abuse may find safety there. A free online course called Abuse Is Not Love teaches participants how to spot warning signs of domestic abuse in their colleagues.

Researcher Beth Livingston of the University of Iowa has devoted most of her career to the study of abuse and relationships. She is an important Abuse Is Not Love researcher.
According to Livingston, “it is our responsibility as scholars to find ways to make our research impact the people around us.”

The program informs participants on nine distinct indicators of domestic violence, ranging from humiliation and blackmail to jealousy and ignoring. Additionally, Abuse is Not Love provides links to national and international resources for victims of abuse. Over 900,000 people have received training from them thus far.

“I believe that one of the things that surprised me was how essential work was to so many people,” Livingston stated. “It is frequently the only opportunity an abused person has to escape their abusers.”

Equipped with insights from Abuse Is Not Love, employers could contribute to the protection of those who are being abused.

Many of your employees may be victims of domestic abuse and violence, therefore it’s important to consider their wellbeing, according to Livingston.

According to Livingston, abuse isn’t always obvious, isn’t always physical, and can be particularly hard to spot early in a relationship.

“They believe that it’s not abuse if I don’t have a black eye. That’s not how a good relationship is supposed to be,” stated Livingston. “No one ever reaches 100, so how can we assist people in recognizing those warning signs?”

According to Livingston, there are instances where gaining greater knowledge about violent relationships could help a couple make necessary adjustments before things get out of hand.

“It’s not like someone you meet at a bar and they start off abusive, right? At first, they are in love,” Livingston remarked. “It can be challenging to recognize the warning signs early on in a relationship, but with education, you can identify them and try to address them early on.”

Livingston cautions people of interfering too soon. It could be risky to involve yourself directly or to call the police at times.

According to Livingston, “that can often make it worse because it takes a long time for many targets of abuse to actually leave.” “For women, leaving is the most dangerous time.”

Contact the Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 if you or someone you know is a victim of domestic abuse.