Frequently Asked Questions.What exactly is Domestic Violence?• Domestic violence is what a partner or mate has controlling behavior that can include physical abuse, emotional or psychological abuse, sexual abuse.
• Domestic violence is a life-threatening crime that affects millions of individuals across the United States regardless of age, economic status, race, religion or education. • High-profile cases of domestic violence will attract headlines, but thousands of people experience domestic abuse every day. • Batterers make it very difficult for victims to escape relationships. Sadly, many survivors suffer from abuse for decades. • It’s important for survivors to know that the abuse is not their fault, and they are not alone. Help is available for those who suffer from domestic violence. Are men victims of domestic violence too?• Yes
• A 2001 U.S. study revealed that 85 percent of the victims were female with a male batterer. The other 15 percent includes intimate partner violence in gay and lesbian relationships and men who were battered by a female partner. • Women are 90-95 percent more likely to suffer domestic violence than are men. • When we talk about domestic violence, we’re not talking about men versus women or women versus men. We’re talking about violence versus peace. We’re talking about control versus respect. • Domestic violence affects us all, and all of us. Women, children and men. |
Why do victims return to or stay with their abusers?• The abuser does anything against the victim when confronted with leaving or not.
• Abusers work very hard to keep victims in relationships. • There is a real fear of death or more abuse if they leave. A victim’s risk of getting killed greatly increases when they are in the process of leaving or have just left. On average, three women die at the hands of a current or former intimate partner every day. • Batterers are very good at making victims think that the abuse is their fault. Victims often believe that if they caused the violence, they can also stop it. • Victims stay because they are made to think they cannot survive on their own, financially or otherwise. • Survivors sometimes want the abuse to end, not the relationship. • A survivor may return to the abuser because that’s the person the survivor fell in love with, and they believe their promises to change. It’s not easy for anyone to let go of hopes and dreams What can I do to help? • Everyone can speak out against domestic violence. The problem will continue until society stands up with one resounding voice and says, “no more!”
• Members of the public can donate to local, statewide or national anti-domestic violence programs or victim assistance programs. • We can teach our children about what healthy relationships look like by example and by talking about it. • You can call your local public officials to get life-saving domestic violence services. |