Thread by @TiffanyBond

Domestic violence is a problem in Maine that we do not take seriously enough.

We have so many small towns. It's difficult to ask for help when the help is likely to be a friend or family member of your abuser.

https://twitter.com/MindfulPursuit/status/1097486796961783808

Want to know what that looks like?

When you show up to a PFA and the victim is all alone, but the abuser has a gaggle of friends and family telling you if she were only nicer, a better partner, less of a flirt, then he wouldn't get so mad.

Would she do counseling to change her?

There is *so* much pressure for her to drop the PFA, often so he can hunt with his friends/family.

My biggest red flag is the abuser who asks about guns more than contact with children. They are chilling.

Note men absolutely can be victims, it's just much more frequently women.

I would guess a fair share of those men's shoes are suicide. It's an issue not well addressed by PFAs.

Many will take out PFAs to protect both themselves and partners. It's halfway through Feb and I've already had 2 temp PFAs this year that came to me involving a suicide threat.

PFAs aren't a great mechanism to handle suicide threats.

They can remove some access to weapons, but do not provide resources or get other support.