Welcome!

Hello All! My name is Charito Morales and this is my Critical Insight Blog! Thanks for checking it out.

I am studying Child Development/Family Relations as well as Spanish here at the University of Idaho.

I am very interested in the topics of domestic violence and sexual assault because I believe that there needs to be an end to violence! My interest in the sociology aspect comes from my passion to help others. I have had the opportunity to help families and victims through an internship I currently have through the Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse. With this internship and through this course, I have been able to learn things that I did not know before. We are the people who can make a difference. Some families, children, elderly, women and men have been victimized and have no voice, I would like to be one of the people to help them overcome these events. But I am just one person, together we can help advocate and work towards an end to violence.

I chose this picture because it describes exactly what I feel about the impact the community and individuals can have on the prevention of domestic violence. "Together can break the chain of domestic violence" is something that we all need to become aware of. There is so much we can do whether it be lending a listening ear or doing something to prevent abuse. Together we can work to help those who are silenced and help prevent abuse in the future.

Below is a poem that I found that really shows what goes through the mind of a victim of domestic violence. It also demonstrates that trageties do happen in many cases. Sad poem, but it is real.

I Got Flowers Today

I got flowers today.
It wasn't my birthday or any other special day.
We had our first argument last night,
And he said a lot of cruel things that really hurt me.
I know he is sorry and didn't mean the things he said.
Because he sent me flowers today.

I got flowers today.
It wasn't our anniversary or any other special day.
Last night, he threw me into a wall and started to choke me.
It seemed like a nightmare.
I couldn't believe it was real.
I woke up this morning sore and bruised all over.
I know he must be sorry.
Because he sent me flowers today.

I got flowers today,
And it wasn't Mother's Day or any other special day.
Last night, he beat me up again.
And it was much worse than all the other times.
If I leave him, what will I do?
How will I take care of my kids?
What about money?
I'm afraid of him and scared to leave.
But I know he must be sorry.
Because he sent me flowers today.

I got flowers today.
Today was a very special day.
It was the day of my funeral.
Last night, he finally killed me.
He beat me to death.
If only I had gathered enough courage
and strength to leave him,
I would not have gotten flowers...today

-written by Paulette Kelly