“KEY POINTS

There are many benefits about single life to enjoy, starting with having the freedom to arrange one's life based on one's own priorities.

People who are happily single cherish solitude and use it to restore their energy and pursue their passions.

Happy single people often use their freedom to attend to the people in their lives who matter most.”

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“Stimming - a guide for all audiences

What is stimming?

“I quickly become overwhelmed [in social situations]. Is it surprising that I then feel like blocking the world out and literally putting my thoughts back in order? That I start to rock to tell myself which feelings are mine? That I start speaking to myself or groaning to block out other sounds and so that I know which thoughts are mine? I think anyone experiencing life this way would do the same.” Autistic adult

Stimming or self-stimulating behaviour includes arm or hand-flapping, finger-flicking, rocking, jumping, spinning or twirling, head-banging and complex body movements. It includes the repetitive use of an object, such as flicking a rubber band or twirling a piece of string, or repetitive activities involving the senses (such as repeatedly feeling a particular texture).

Why do some autistic people stim?

Although stimming varies from person to person, the reasons behind it may be the same:

for enjoyment

an attempt to gain sensory input, eg rocking may be a way to stimulate the balance (vestibular) system; hand-flapping may provide visual stimulation

an attempt to reduce sensory input, eg focusing on one particular sound may reduce the impact of a loud, distressing environment; this may particularly be seen in social situations

to deal with stress and anxiety and to block out uncertainty.

Should you intervene?

Stimming is often very enjoyable and a way to reduce stress and so it shouldn't be stopped or reduced. However, stimming can sometimes be self-injurious, for example, head-banging or scratching. 

Ask yourself if the behaviour restricts the person's opportunities, causes distress or discomfort, or impacts on learning? If it is causing difficulties, or is in some way unsafe, they may need support to stop or modify the behaviour, or reduce their reliance on it.

Read our strategies if repetitive behaviour causes distress or is unsafe or self-injurious.”

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“The decriminalization of sex work is the removal of criminal penalties for sex work (specifically, prostitution).[2] Sex work, the consensual provision of sexual services for money or goods,[3] is criminalized in most countries.[4] Decriminalization is distinct from legalization[5] (also known as the "regulationist" approach).[6] Advocates of decriminalization argue that removing the criminal sanctions surrounding sex work creates a safer environment for sex workers,[7] and that it helps fight sex trafficking.[8] Opponents of decriminalization argue that it will not prevent trafficking (or even increase trafficking[9]) and could put sex workers at greater risk.[10] Evidence demonstrates that decriminalization is an evidence-based harm reduction approach[11]

Organizations including: the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the World Health Organization (WHO), Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the medical journal The Lancet have called on countries to decriminalize sex work in the global effort to tackle the HIV/AIDS epidemic and ensure sex workers' access to health services.[12][13][14][15] Almost all organisations run by sex workers themselves around the world favour the decriminalisation of sex work, and it tends to be their main goal.[16][17][18][5][19]

However, a European Parliament resolution adopted on 26 February 2014, regarding sexual exploitation and prostitution and its impact on gender equality states that, "decriminalising the sex industry in general and making procuring legal is not a solution to keeping vulnerable women and under-age females safe from violence and exploitation, but has the opposite effect and puts them in danger of a higher level of violence, while at the same time encouraging prostitution markets – and thus the number of women and under-age females suffering abuse – to grow."[10]

Two countries have decriminalized sex work. In June 2003, New Zealand became the first country to decriminalize sex work, with the passage of the Prostitution Reform Act.[20] The one remaining criminal law surrounding commercial sexual activities in New Zealand is a requirement to adopt safer sex practices.[21] Despite decriminalisation, its sex industry is still controversial, with some issues remaining.[22] In June 2022, Belgium became the first country in Europe and the second country in the world to decriminalize sex work.[23][24] Decriminalization is the removal of criminal penalties for sex work. In countries that decriminalize sex work, sex workers receive the same protection and recognition as workers in other industries.[2] The very first line of the World Charter for Prostitutes' Rights, written and adopted by the International Committee for Prostitutes' Rights on 15 February 1985 at the first World Whores Congress in Amsterdam, states: "Decriminalize all aspects of adult prostitution resulting from individual decision."[31]”

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“Doubt is a mental state in which the mind remains suspended between two or more contradictory propositions, and is uncertain about them.[1] Doubt on an emotional level is indecision between belief and disbelief. It may involve uncertainty, distrust or lack of conviction on certain facts, actions, motives, or decisions. Doubt can result in delaying or rejecting relevant action out of concern for mistakes or missed opportunities.”

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“Key Pointers

A single person can enjoy alone time and pursue their interests without compromises and adjustments.

They has the opportunity to save as they have fewer responsibilities and can live debt-free or not have as much debt.

Eating the food of your choice, freedom to flirt, and many other single person benefits to know about as you scroll through. I enjoy not having any pets for all of the same reasons for my enjoying my singleness and for my enjoying my not having any biological children.” -Antonio Myers

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“For voluntary manslaughter, the offender had intent to kill or seriously harm, but acted "in the moment" under circumstances that could cause a reasonable person to become emotionally or mentally disturbed.[2] There are mitigating circumstances that reduce culpability, such as when the defendant kills only with an intent to cause serious bodily harm.[3] Voluntary manslaughter in some jurisdictions is a lesser included offense of murder. The traditional mitigating factor was provocation; however, others have been added in various jurisdictions.

The most common type of voluntary manslaughter occurs when a defendant is provoked to commit homicide. This is sometimes described as a crime of passion.[4] In most cases, the provocation must induce rage or anger in the defendant, although some cases have held that fright, terror, or desperation will suffice.[5] Involuntary

Edit

Involuntary manslaughter is the killing of a human being without intent of doing so, either expressed or implied. It is distinguished from voluntary manslaughter by the absence of intention. It is normally divided into two categories, constructive manslaughter and criminally negligent manslaughter, both of which involve criminal liability.

Constructive

Edit

Constructive manslaughter is also referred to as "unlawful act" manslaughter.[9] It is based on the doctrine of constructive malice, whereby the malicious intent inherent in the commission of a crime is considered to apply to the consequences of that crime. It occurs when someone kills, without intent, in the course of committing an unlawful act. The malice involved in the crime is transferred to the killing, resulting in a charge of manslaughter. Manslaughter is a common law legal term for homicide considered by law as less culpable than murder. The distinction between murder and manslaughter is sometimes said to have first been made by the ancient Athenian lawmaker Draco in the 7th century BC.[1]

The definition of manslaughter differs among legal jurisdictions.”

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“The Great Pastor Resignation

I have become part of what is known as the Great Pastor Resignation that came in the wake of the pandemic. Barna did a national survey of pastors and, as of March 2022, 42% of pastors considered quitting. The reasons for this are myriad, but the top five reasons given are as follows:

The immense stress of the job: 56%

I feel lonely and isolated: 43%

Current political divisions: 38%

I am unhappy with the effect this role has had on my family: 29%

I am not optimistic about the future of my church: 29%

I can relate to all of these, but in particular, the top two are the ones that figured heavily into my decision. Being a pastor is like being a parent. You can imagine what it’s like to have a child, but until you are in the role, you cannot fully appreciate what it’s like to shoulder the responsibility of caring for a life 24/7. The same is true for being a pastor. You think you know what to expect, but the lived experience is very different from your imaginings of what it will be.”

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“RAINN is the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline in partnership with more than 1,000 local sexual assault service providers across the country.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, help is available.

Crisis Support Service

Sexual Assault and Harassment

National Sexual Assault Hotline: a service of RAINN

Online chat hotline

Spanish online chat hotline

Telephone hotline: 800-656-HOPE (4673)

National Helpline for Male Survivors: a service of 1in6

Online chat hotline

National Street Harassment Hotline: a service of Stop Street Harassment

Online chat hotline

Telephone hotline: 855.897.5910

DoD Safe Helpline: a service for members of the U.S. military and their families, operated by RAINN for the Department of Defense

Online chat hotline

Telephone hotline: 877.995.5247

Domestic and Dating Violence

National Domestic Violence Hotline

Online chat hotline

Telephone hotline: 800.799.SAFE

Love is Respect: a service of the National Domestic Violence Hotline

Online chat hotline

Telephone hotline: 866.331.9474

Other Victims of Crime

VictimConnect: A service of the National Center for Victims of Crime, for all crime victims

Online chat hotline

Telephone hotline: 855.4.VICTIM (84-2846)

National Human Trafficking Hotline: a service of Polaris

Online chat hotline

Telephone hotline: 888.373.7888

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

Telephone hotline: 800.THE.LOST (843-5678)

Additional Resources

End Violence Against Women International

Equality Now

Futures Without Violence

Girls For Gender Equity

Global Fund for Women

Global Network of Women’s Shelters

Human Rights Watch

Local Sexual Assault Service Providers

National Alliance to End Sexual Violence

National Domestic Workers Alliance

National Network to End Domestic Violence

National Resource Center on Domestic Violence

National Organization for Victim Assistance

National Women’s Law Center

NYC Alliance Against Sexual Assault

Rise

Time’s Up.”

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All of these things happen to some people sexually speaking: “One widely recognized model of trauma responses is the 4 F's, which stands for Fight, Flight, Freeze, and Fawn. Each of these responses has unique characteristics and manifestations.

Fight Trauma Response

The Fight response involves intense anger, rage, bullying, and intimidation. When we experience a traumatic event, our bodies may respond by becoming angry and aggressive as a way to protect ourselves. We may feel a strong urge to fight back and defend ourselves from the perceived threat.

Flight Trauma Response

The Flight response manifests as panic, worry, rumination, and perfectionism. This response is characterized by a need to escape the perceived threat. We may become hyper-vigilant and constantly on edge, always looking for a way out of the situation. We may also ruminate on the traumatic event, obsessively thinking about what happened and what could have been done differently.

Freeze Trauma Response

The Freeze response is characterized by dissociation, feeling numb, and being stuck. When we experience trauma, our bodies may shut down as a way to protect ourselves. We may feel disconnected from our emotions, and our bodies may become numb. We may also feel stuck, unable to move or take action.

Fawn Trauma Response

The Fawn response entails identity confusion, having no boundaries, codependency, and being a people pleaser. This response involves a need to appease the perceived threat, often at the expense of our own needs and well-being. We may feel confused about our identity and our boundaries, and we may become overly dependent on others for validation and approval.

Understanding our trauma responses can help us recognize when we are experiencing a trigger or an overwhelming situation. It allows us to identify our reactions and choose how we want to respond consciously. We can also learn ways to manage our reactions and move towards healing and recovery.”

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