Minister Shares Red Flags That
Can Lead To Severe Physical Abuse

Nation Observes October As Domestic Violence Month

Reverend Unnia L. Pettus, Ph.D.
Photo Courtesy of Nobody But God Outreach Ministries

(AANEWSWIRE)(Washington, D.C. - October 1, 2008) As an ordained minister and former victim of domestic violence, I have identified a list of “red flag” behaviors that can escalate into severe acts of physical abuse. These warning signs are intended to help educate victims to seek help to safely leave their abusers.

According to Rev. Dr. Unnia Pettus, the “red flag” behaviors identified are based upon her personal experience as a survivor and advocate. They are: 1) intimidation; 2) isolation; 3) interrogation; and 4) irationalization; which can escalate into 5) an incident of physical abuse, such as pushing, slapping, biting, choking, raping, attempted murder, or murder.

“I know what it feels like to be with a man who repeatedly hurts you, even though he tells you that he loves you and God. After years of dealing with infidelity and abuse in my marriage, I hit “rock bottom” and tried to kill myself. I took a bottle of prescribed pain medication, and a half bottle of over-the-counter sleeping pills. This suicide attempt was my cry out for help. I had my stomach pumped and was treated in a hospital psychiatric ward.  I was told that I was suffering from severe clinical depression,” said Rev. Pettus.

According to Rev. Pettus, “I don’t want anyone to go down the path that I took. Please let these “red flags” make you think twice before becoming involved with someone who exhibits these behaviors. And if you are with an abuser, I hope these warning signs will give you the courage to seek help and safe shelter. Otherwise your relationship could end up as a deadly affair.”

The American Medical Association (AMA) estimates that over four million women are victims of severe assaults by boyfriends and husbands each year. And about one in four women are likely to be abused by a partner in her lifetime. [1]

As the author of Nobody But God: A Journey of Faith From Tears To Triumph, which is available on http://www.unniapettus.com/, Rev. Pettus is the founder of Nobody But God Outreach Ministries that provides volunteer counseling and ministry support for domestic violence victims, survivors, and their children. She is available for media interviews at (202) 641-7632 or via email at upettus@aol.com. For further information and resources on domestic violence, visit the web site of the National Domestic Violence Hotline, http://www.ndvh.org/.