Domestic Violence

Tonight I wanted to touch on domestic violence, a topic very near and dear to my heart.
But what exactly is domestic violence?

It's a pattern of or reoccurring behavior establishing power and control over another person through fear and intimidation, often including the threat or use of violence (sexual and/or physical). There is also a sub-section of mental and emotional abuse. Or in other words "you a worthless, I don't know why I'm with you! No one else will love you. You're fat and ugly!" Also "it's your fault I'm like this. If you had/hadn't (insert whatever here) I wouldn't have to act this!"

Who does domestic violence impact?

Domestic violence impacts men, woman and children. Men can be victims of domestic violence, too.
In America some domestic violence statistics include:

• Every 9 seconds in the US a woman is assaulted or beaten.
  

• Around the world, at least one in every three women has been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused during her lifetime. Most often, the abuser is a member of her own family.
  

• Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women—more than car accidents, muggings, and rapes combined.
  

• Studies suggest that up to 10 million children witness some form of domestic violence annually.
  

• Nearly 1 in 5 teenage girls who have been in a relationship said a boyfriend threatened violence or self-harm if presented with a breakup.
  

• Everyday in the US, more than three women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends.
  

• Ninety-two percent of women surveyed listed reducing domestic violence and sexual assault as their top concern.
  

• Domestic violence victims lose nearly 8 million days of paid work per year in the US alone—the equivalent of 32,000 full-time jobs.
  

• Based on reports from 10 countries, between 55 percent and 95 percent of women who had been physically abused by their partners had never contacted non-governmental organizations, shelters, or the police for help.
  

• The costs of intimate partner violence in the US alone exceed $5.8 billion per year: $4.1 billion are for direct medical and health care services, while productivity losses account for nearly $1.8 billion.
  

• Men who as children witnessed their parents’ domestic violence were twice as likely to abuse their own wives than sons of nonviolent parents.
   

Other statistics include:

• Domestic violence is most likely to take place between 6 pm and 6 am.
• More than 60% of domestic violence incidents happen at home.
  

But what happens to domestic violence victims?

• Domestic violence is the third leading cause of homelessness among families, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
• At least 1/3 of the families using New York City’s family shelter system are homeless due to domestic violence.
  

Why Does Domestic Abuse Happen?

• No victim is to blame for any occurrence of domestic abuse or violence.
• While there is no direct cause or explanation why domestic violence happens, it is caused by the abuser or perpetrator.
  

Who is Most Likely to Suffer from Domestic Abuse or Become a Victim of Domestic Violence?

• Domestic violence and abuse can happen to anyone, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, income, or other factors.
• Women and men can be victims of domestic violence.
  

But for households with children, domestic violence can have an impact on them, too.

• More than 3 million children witness domestic violence in their homes every year. 
• Children who live in homes where there is domestic violence also suffer abuse or neglect at high rates (30% to 60%). Children exposed to domestic violence at home are more likely to have health problems, including becoming sick more often, having frequent headaches or stomachaches, and being more tired and lethargic.
• Children are more likely to intervene when they witness severe violence against a parent – which can place a child at great risk for injury or even death.
• 1 in 15 children are exposed to intimate partner violence each year, and 90% of these children are eyewitnesses to this violence.
  

• 1 in 15 children are exposed to intimate partner violence each year, and 90% of these children are eyewitnesses to this violence.

 Domestic violence can have a physical and mental impact.

• Women abused by their intimate partners are more vulnerable to contracting HIV or other STI’s due to forced intercourse or prolonged exposure to stress.
• Studies suggest that there is a relationship between intimate partner violence and depression and suicidal behavior.
• Physical, mental, and sexual and reproductive health effects have been linked with intimate partner violence including adolescent pregnancy, unintended pregnancy in general, miscarriage, stillbirth, intrauterine hemorrhage, nutritional deficiency, abdominal pain and other gastrointestinal problems, neurological disorders, chronic pain, disability, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as noncommunicable diseases such as hypertension, cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Victims of domestic violence are also at higher risk for developing addictions to alcohol, tobacco, or drugs.
  

Can this lead to Rape? Yes, it can.

• 1 in 5 women and 1 in 71 men in the United States has been raped in their lifetime
• Almost half of female (46.7%) and male (44.9%) victims of rape in the United States were raped by an acquaintance. Of these, 45.4% of female rape victims and 29% of male rape victims were raped by an intimate partner.
  

Can it be linked to stalking and homicide. Again, yes.

• 19.3 million women and 5.1 million men in the United States have been stalked in their lifetime. 60.8% of female stalking victims and 43.5% men reported being stalked by a current or former intimate partner.

• A study of intimate partner homicides found that 20% of victims were not the intimate partners themselves, but family members, friends, neighbors, persons who intervened, law enforcement responders, or bystanders.
• 72% of all murder-suicides involve an intimate partner; 94% of the victims of these murder suicides are female.
  

A trait may also include "outting" you to the public or to friends and family if you're gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered or anyone who identifies within the LGBT comunity.


If you or someone you know is in a violent relationship there are options. 911 or your local police/emergency department may be able to help if someone is immediate danger. Other options include:

Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline

Support, resources and advice for your safety

1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

• Available: 24/7, 365 days a year. Bilingual advocates on hand.
• Resources: http://www.thehotline.org/
• Chat now: M-F, 10am-8pm ET

Helplines for advice and support:

In the US: call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE).
UK: call Women’s Aid at 0808 2000 247.
Australia: call 1800RESPECT at 1800 737 732.  

Worldwide: visit Worldwide: visit International Directory of Domestic Violence Agencies for a global list of helplines, shelters, and crisis centers. for a global list of helplines, shelters, and crisis centers.

or a safe place to stay:

In the US: visit Womenslaw.org for a state-by-state directory of domestic violence shelters in the U.S.

For men:
Abused men can also reach out to the following organizations for help:

• U.S. and Canada: 1-800-799-7233 The National Domestic Violence Hotline
• UK: 01823 334244 – ManKind Initiative 
• Australia: One in Three Campaign offers a number of crisis hotlines