What is domestic violence?
Domestic violence is any kind of physical, sexual, verbal, emotional, financial, or other abuse by a person to control or have power over another person. This can happen between husband and wife, couples living together, family members, or couples in a dating relationship.
Domestic violence is any kind of physical, sexual, verbal, emotional, financial, or other abuse by a person to control or have power over another person. This can happen between husband and wife, couples living together, family members, or couples in a dating relationship.
Myths and Facts
Myth: The victim deserves it/provokes it/ it is right for the man to discipline his wife.
Fact: No one deserves to be hit. Women are not property of men. Abusers will abuse for many reasons labeled as insignificant (ex: dinner was cold, she was 5 minutes late). Domestic violence is about control. It is not a reasonable act.
Myth: If it were that bad, she (he) would leave.
Fact: Abusers are controlling and there are many reasons a victim does not or can not leave. Often the victims do not have economic resources to make it on their own. The abuser might threaten pets, children, family members, etc. forcing the victim to feel compelled to return. Leaving can be very dangerous. The most dangerous time for a woman who is being abused is when she is attempting to leave.
Myth: Domestic violence is only between a husband and wife/ boyfriend and girlfriend/ partners, etc.
Fact: Domestic violence has a negative impact on the community as a whole. It is expensive. It teaches children to abuse and be abused. It causes disruptions in schools and in the workplace. A large percentage of those who abuse their partners also abuse their children and animals.
Myth: The victim deserves it/provokes it/ it is right for the man to discipline his wife.
Fact: No one deserves to be hit. Women are not property of men. Abusers will abuse for many reasons labeled as insignificant (ex: dinner was cold, she was 5 minutes late). Domestic violence is about control. It is not a reasonable act.
Myth: If it were that bad, she (he) would leave.
Fact: Abusers are controlling and there are many reasons a victim does not or can not leave. Often the victims do not have economic resources to make it on their own. The abuser might threaten pets, children, family members, etc. forcing the victim to feel compelled to return. Leaving can be very dangerous. The most dangerous time for a woman who is being abused is when she is attempting to leave.
Myth: Domestic violence is only between a husband and wife/ boyfriend and girlfriend/ partners, etc.
Fact: Domestic violence has a negative impact on the community as a whole. It is expensive. It teaches children to abuse and be abused. It causes disruptions in schools and in the workplace. A large percentage of those who abuse their partners also abuse their children and animals.
Statistics and Discoveries
- A child’s exposure to domestic violence is the strongest risk factor for transmitting violent behavior from one generation to the next.
- 92% of victims are women, 8% are men
- A woman is battered every 9-15 seconds in the United States
- 1 out of 4 women have been assaulted by an intimate partner.
- Approximately 50% of homeless women and children are fleeing a domestic violence situation.
- Boys who witness domestic violence are twice as likely to become abusers as adults.
- About 80% of women who are stalked by their former partners are physically assaulted by that partner and 30% are sexually assaulted by that partner.
- The cost of domestic violence exceeds $5.8 billion each year.
- 85% of households with pets report animal abuse in addition to domestic violence
Characteristics of an Abuser
Emotional Abuse
Using Privilege
Emotional Abuse
Using Privilege
|
Using Coercion or Threats
Using intimidation
Using the children
Using isolation
Minimizing, Denying, and Blaming
|