He used to be the nightmare among men, beating them down until they’re almost killed, because he was high. His haven was methamphetamine, and it would always be his way to feel what fun was all about. But he changed. Though the cause for amendments was somewhat foolish, the bottom line here was, he changed. He’s Jason Adams, a former addict and a new man.

As I read his story, I realize that stories of changes do happen. He was once an addict and it seemed impossible for him to get rid of that system. It was not like he did not do anything about it. In fact, he sued several ways to stop himself from using methamphetamine, but unexpectedly, he ended up doing it again. Worse, his synthetic response was released in a violent means where he nailed and beat several men until he left them like bleeding dolls. However, it was not like he didn’t have his own episode of physical pain. He tasted his own medicine when he got himself beat up by several men, leaving him with a big wound on his head – inflicted by a hammer.

That incident finally opened his time – that changes should be really done. He got arrested, of course, and went into rehabilitation center. And that’s where he met Tony Romero, a pastor, and through him, Jason joined Victory Outreach Church, seeing a salvation that made him into a new man.

 Read Jason’s story in:

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10472179

The true horror of any woman, sexual abuse, is alarmingly increasing in many countries. Such for of violence should be stopped, but surprisingly, its rate is terribly increasing. Furthermore, rape is being used as a tool for war attacks, violating women who can fall prey into the hands of the abusers.

U.N. Secretary-general Ban Ki-moon has such message. In addition to that, it’s not just the psychological effect to victims that are left when such a horrible thing was done. It can also be a major issue among nations, making reconciliations between them

The secretary spreads his words of concern across the nation. The seriousness of the matter is growing and actions needs to be done.

Read the entire story in:

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gXATMJUZl1Fz1YxN1-MkuZ0Bw89A

If feminism has a negative implication on you, then it’s time for you to abandon your thoughts about it; you’ll never know what it can bring to a relationship. And this idea is not just a hypothesis, for a study is made to support this.

Laurie Rudman and Julie Phelan who are both psychologists made a study about this matter. They made surveys for Rutgers undergraduates and other adults about feminism and relationships. The series of surveys they did shows that female and male feminists establishes stronger relationships.

Though it is not clear why feminists can create more harmonious relationships than those who are non-feminists, the psychologists believe that it can be because of their sense of individuality and support.

See the entire study about feminism by going to:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21364055/

Doesn’t the sight of crisp, white bed sheet, fluffy pillows, and king-sized bed sound inviting to you? It looks as if it is asking you to have a good, long sleep….. but you reject the idea – you have more things to do and sleep, no matter how good it sounds, is one thing you can just ignore.

This thought should not run in your mind when your eyes are starting to shut and you are getting drowsy, for you are depriving yourself not just complete rest, but also the capacity to handle stressful situations. Yes, lack of sleep can bring emotional imbalance, and it’s not just a personal observation. A study done by UC Berkeley has provided all the necessary explanations for this.

Aside from difficulty concentrating and memorizing, it can also weaken the immune system and produce inactive motor skills. It also instigates disturbing images for people who don’t usually sleep properly. They are more prone to being scared and even have violent thoughts in their minds.

With 26 adults being observed with their behavior after half of them were deprived for sleep for 35 hours while the other half had a normal one. The result from UC Berkeley study shows that those who had good sleep responded to situations normally while those who didn’t have sleep have violent responses, with images of morbid details.

Read more about this study in:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2007/10/23/MN00SUBTV.DTL

It might be a surprise to you, but men also get physically abused by their females partners. Despite the known “greater strength” of men, they, too, can also suffer from such abuse. Maybe because of their fear of hurting the person they love, or maybe because of issues of inferiority. But no matter what the reason, it’s still an abuse – an it’s something that shouldn’t be tolerated.

Back in a 1993 study, believe it or not, 80% of secondary men have been abused by their partners. If it wasn’t a physical pain, it would be an emotional or verbal abuse. Some studies cited that 7% to 15% also experienced abuse, and in 2000, the age range of the abused men starts from 20’s to 60’s.

See some surprising facts about the abuse among men in:

http://www.edmontonsun.com/Comment/2007/10/22/4595326-sun.html

“I promise I won’t do it again.” While these words sound sweet for you, you can also be careful in listening to it…. before you even get overwhelmed by it…. because that might be a sign – a sign that may devastate you in the process.

It’s domestic violence that I’m talking about. And those “sweet” words mentioned above can be a manifestation of abuse, where the abuser “promises” not to do it again, but more likely, it is just another way of making himself excused for his foul action.

Domestic violence doesn’t mean the act is just about physical abuse. It also includes verbal and emotional abuse that happen when a one is using derogatory terms and telling painful things to you. And the person most likely to do that is a spouse, the person you love the most who thinks has the right to do everything to you – even if it means hurting you and abusing you.

Lack of self-esteem can be a reason for their doings. It is their defense mechanism to hide it and controls and manipulates their loved ones to at least feel power and superiority.

Learn more about domestic violence with this article:

http://www.napavalleyregister.com/articles/2007/10/14/news/local/doc4711a8ab7ebbf243328329.txt

As I scan several sites in the net for news, there is one story I found that really triggered my interest. It’s a story from Rev. Dr. Unnia Pettus, a church woman who seems luminous outside, but has a pitch-black world inside.

Her marriage with her husband seemed perfect, at least in everybody’s perception. But she saw differently. Verbal abuse came to her like a breath of air, and, as if her husband wasn’t satisfied with the rain of painful words, he’d continue abusing her, but this time, the infliction of pain would be through her body, as he mercilessly battered her.

She didn’t just suffer from emotional and physical abuse, she also experienced the heartbreak of betrayal and infidelity. She found out that her husband has been cheating on her. And that was the time when Rev. Pettus realized that it’s time to end the suffering.

However, the ending of suffering meant the ending of her life as well. She committed suicide, but fortunately, she was revived and saved. And now that she finally survived hell, she’s back in her church with pride, strength, and stronger faith to the Creator.

Rev. Pettus and her husband are Christians. Though it seemed like they were perfect and great Christian worshipers. However, her story proved that despite the status, despite the appearance, it was not perfect nor great at all.

Read her entire story in:

http://media.www.districtchronicles.com/media/storage/paper263/news/2007/10/21/Cover/

Growing.Crisis.Of.Domestic.Abuse.In.The.Church-3045603.shtml

What makes child abuse more devastating is that despite the horror it brings to innocent victim, the crime continues to infect the children and that infection can even start at home. And each nation deals with this situation very seriously, yet surprisingly, many still commit the act, giving them a sense of power.

This sense of power is the most common reason of the rapists who committed child abuse. Some of these abusers are no strangers; they can be a relative of the victim. And sometimes, they belong to a high-class family, where most of us find surprising, because such issues are not usually reported because of their influence to the society.

Such fact is the case in India, where the reports of child abuse is alarmingly growing:

1. The crime starts at the child’s fifth age, and the most number of sexual abuse appears when the victim is between the ages of 12 to 15.

2. A survey for the report for Alochana, out of 12, 447 children, there is 53.22% of them who are abused one or more time.

3. 52.94% of the victims are boys

4. 47.06% are girls

Read the entire report in:

http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14547541

In New Zealand, 51% of the girls have more issues than lost dolls, lack of candies in their pockets, and bullies. And unfortunately, most of their problems start inside their home…. because these girls are sexually abused even before they understand the meaning of sex….

23% of girls in the city and 28% in the remote areas are abused by their relatives….. and devastatingly, they are nit even reaching 15 years of age. A study done by Auckland University states that most of the victims are nine years old while the rapists, who are usually their male relatives, are 30.

This horrible fact should be provided with solutions, therapies, and prevention establishments before the victims acquire depression and other psychological problems.

Read the entire story in:

http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/536641/1413619

Smoking is not just a problem for parents, teachers, and doctors for their kids between 12 to 17 years old. According to US research, there is a 59% probability that teens from this age group has the tendency to drink and use drugs.

US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration conducted a research regarding this matter. The result states that teenagers who started smoking early are more prone to depression and anxiety disorders and more susceptibility to cardiovascular diseases, post traumatic disorder, and panic attacks.

Aside from the dangers of the nicotine brought by cigarettes, heroin and cocaine are more likely the substances that will be used by the teenagers. Its effect can harm their mental and psychological well-being.

Check the entire story in:

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-10/24/content_6932748.htm