Rich and varied discussions continue, including increasing our understanding of family violence ...

​Rich and varied discussions continue. We have discovered the group has a handy cross section of preferred coping styles. Each of the “types” - eagle, owl, dove, and peacock – are evenly spread amongst us. We discussed how to make the most of these preferred coping styles in various settings such as work, home, and committees. You might hear family or friends comment about an “owl moment” or the need for a “peacock” for a particular task.
 
Ever the thinker, Mary Bridgland pondered on “coping styles”, especially the “How” of the development of our preferred coping styles, resulting in a wonderful presentation by Mary and discussions on the “Influences on Coping Style”. Mary began with this curiously ambiguous picture. What do you see? https://www.illusionsindex.org/i/young-woman-or-old-woman
 
Mary continued to describe the dual impacts of our sense of self and well-being and external influences on our preferred coping styles. Go to Mary’s Powerpoint below for more “How”.

The content focus into April is a gentle consideration of the disturbing facts of family violence (FV).  The aim of Demystifying Psychology (a lighthearted look at psychology) has been temporarily abandoned in favor of increasing our understanding of the characteristics of FV and how we might help someone we suspect is experiencing FV. In Australia 1:4 women and 1:13 men reported experiencing intimate partner violence. So, the chances are high that you know someone who has experienced/is experiencing family violence.
(Source: http://dvvic.org.au/understand/about-family-violence/).
 
Topics covered in March and April will include:

• Types of abuse in families.
• Patterns of control.
• Perpetrator psychology.
• Perpetrator presentation.
• Cycle of abuse.
• What to do when you suspect abuse.

 
To begin, we did an activity I hope you will also do. On your phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop -

1. Type 1800RESPECT into your search bar.
2. Choose https://www.1800respect.org.au/
3. Scroll down to “Supporting someone”.
4. Scroll back to the top of the page.
5. Click on the word EXIT on the upper right of the page. What just happened? This is a quick safety option now used on many FV support websites.
6. Check your browsing history. Did this site show up?
7. Finally, click the left return arrow found next to your web address bar. What happened?

  The powerpoint for the first session on Family Violence follows: 

 .
​Thank you for participating and for “not looking away”.

Jane Rushworth

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COMING in Demystifying Psychology meetings:

1. Discussion Group (face to face) at Cooinda 10-12 noon on Tuesday 6 April (third Tuesday of the month).
2. Content Group (face to face) at Benalla Seniors Building 1-3pm Friday 16 April (third Friday of the month)

 
Call
1800 737732
1800RESPECT
National sexual assault, domestic family violence COUNSELLING service.

• NRS: 1800 555 677
• Interpreter 13 14 50
• Online chat