Now is the Time to Know about Domestic Violence

DOMESTIC ABUSE is a pattern of controlling and coercive behavior which can involve physical, sexual, economic, emotional and psychological abuse. It affects people who are married, divorced, living together, dating, or in a gay or lesbian relationship, and people from all social, economic, racial, religious, and ethnic groups. Anyone can be a victim of domestic violence, but women are the most common victims.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE is any act or behavior that inflicts or is intended to inflict physical are hurtful words which demean another person as well as threaten with violence.

What Are The Facts?

• One in three Americans has witnessed an incident of domestic violence.
• There is no relationship between race and the rate of abuse. A woman is physically abused every 9 seconds.
• Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women between the ages 15 and 44.
• An estimated 8-12 million women in the United States are at risk of being abused by their current or former intimate partners.
• 37% of all women who sought care in hospital emergency rooms for violence- related injuries were injured by a current or former spouse, boyfriend or girlfriend.
• One in six pregnant women has a history of partner violence.
• National Violence Against Women survey shows 37.5% of victims each year are men. Men are at real risk of serious physical injury.
• Of women who reported being raped and/or physically assaulted since the age of 18, three quarters (76 percent) were victimized by a current or former husband, cohabitating partner, date or boyfriend.
• It is estimated that 1.3 million women and 835,000 men are victims of domestic violence each year.
• Children are most often abused by their protectors or families.
• At least 50% of homeless women and children are in flight from domestic violence.
• More than 10 million children witness domestic violence each year.
• Slightly more than half of female victims of domestic violence live in households with children under the age of 12.
• 1 to 2 million cases of elder abuse occurs each year.
• As few as 1 in every 14 elder victimization is reported.
• 35% of perpetrators of elder abuse are adult children; 13% are spouses.
• Family violence costs the nation from $5 to $10 billion annually in medical expenses, police and court costs, shelters and foster care, sick leave, absenteeism and non-productivity.
• There are 1500 shelters for battered women in the U.S. There are 3800 animal shelters.

Forms of Abuse

Physical may include: slapping, punching, kicking, choking, attacking with an object or restraining.

Emotional abuse may include: friends and family, insulting or name calling, threats of harm, isolation from destroying trust.

Sexual abuse may include any form of forced sex, unfaithfulness or unwanted touching. Verbal abuse may include threatening. The neglect or the failure to provide adequate food, shelter and clothing.

What can I do?

• Know how to identify abuse and violence.
• Be informed about help numbers and community resources.
• Keep help numbers readily available for those in need.
• Realize that domestic violence is a social issue, a public health issue and a crime.
• Become involved in prevention.
• Familiarize yourself with the magnitude of the problem.