What Is Domestic Violence?

 

Domestic violence is the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior as part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another. It includes physical violence, sexual violence, threats, and emotional/psychological abuse. The frequency and severity of domestic violence varies dramatically.

 

Did You Know?

 

In the United States, an average of 20 people experience intimate partner physical violence every minute. This equates to more than 10 million abuse victims annually.

1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men experience severe intimate partner physical violence, intimate partner contact sexual violence, and/or intimate partner stalking with impacts such as injury, fearfulness, posttraumatic stress disorder, use of victim services, contraction of sexually transmitted diseases, etc.

 

Intimate partner violence accounts for 15% of all violent crime.

 

Intimate partner violence is most common against women between the ages of 18-24.

 

1 in 3 adolescents in the U.S. is a victim of physical, sexual, emotional, or verbal abuse from a dating partner. 1 in 10 high school students has been purposely hit, slapped, or physically hurt by a partner. 

 

Domestic victimization is correlated with a higher rate of depression and suicidal behavior.

Victims of intimate partner violence lose a total of 8 million days of paid work each year.

 Intimate partner violence is estimated to cost the US economy between $5.8 billion and $12.6 billion annually.

 

 

 

Does It Matter?

Domestic violence is prevalent in every community, and affects all people regardless of nationality, race, socio-economic status, age, sexual orientation, gender, nationality, or religion. Being a systematic pattern of dominance and control, physical violence is often accompanied by emotionally abusive and controlling behavior. Domestic violence can result in physical injury, psychological trauma, and even death. The devastating consequences can cross generations and last a lifetime.  YES, it matters!

 

Sources for Statistics on Domestic Violence

 

Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Intimate Partner Violence, Sexual Violence & Stalking (CDC)

National Data on Intimate Partner Violence, Sexual Violence, and Stalking

National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey Summary Report (2010)

 

 

What Should I Do?

 

Stay SAFE!

 

If you feel you are in danger, consider reaching out for help immediately.

• Call 9-1-1

•  For anonymous, confidential help, 24/7, please call The National Domestic Violence hotline: 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY)

• Local Michigan resources:  HAVEN 24/7 crisis line: 1-877-922-1274

                                                Turning Point  24/7 crisis line:  1-586-463-6990

                                                FirstStep 24/7 crisis line:  1-734-722-6800

• Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE

• National Resource Center on Domestic Violence legal help.1-800-537-2238

 

If you are being abused by your partner, it is not your fault.  There is absolutely nothing you have done or are doing to cause the abuse. Your abuser would like you to think otherwise. It is solely the abuser’s choice and decision to abuse. Even though it seems impossible to escape your abuser, change your circumstances, or find the help you need, please know that YOU ARE NOT ALONE and it is possible to change your life. However, you know your abuser best, so think carefully through your situation and circumstances and do what is best for you.

 

 

Planning to Leave: Tips on How to Prepare

 

Mustering the courage to leave is a process in itself. Overcoming the final barriers – emotional and logistical – to actually leaving is still a major step. Planning and preparing can be antidotes to fear, but even if you have to leave suddenly, there are ways to make the departure less wrenching.

 

 

Cover your digital tracks, as much as possible

 

Erase your search history (use the function in your internet browser) to make it more difficult for others to trace your research about your options. Change your passwords and keep the new passwords private and secure. Open an email address that only you can access and move key contacts to that account.

 

 

Assess your finances

 

Review all accounts and make secure copies of account information, numbers, addresses, customer service numbers and passwords. Make copies of the latest statements and balances. Store these copies out of the house or scan them and store them online in an account that only you access.

 

 

Pack and stash an emergency escape bag

 

This will make it easier to quickly leave if you are in life threatening danger. The bag should include clothes; cash; essential medications; and copies of important financial documents like the deed to the house; your life insurance policy; your Social Security card, birth certificate and passport; and your childrens’ Social Security cards, birth certificates and passports.

 

Save an emergency cash stash

 

If you are economically dependent on your partner, creating your own secret savings stash gives you the wherewithal to take care of yourself for a few days.

 

 

Establish safe harbor connections

 

Even if you think you won’t need their services, have introductory conversations with social workers at the nearest domestic violence shelter or center. Make sure you know how to get to the center via car and public transportation.

 

 

Locate an escape destination

 

Find out if family or friends could provide emergency housing. Explore the temporary living situations offered by local agencies.

 

 

Hide a spare key

 

Have at least one set of backup keys in a secure location, separate from the usual place where you keep your car and house keys.

 

 

Start building your credit history

 

Establishing your economic independence takes time. Consider opening a checking account and credit card in your own name, based solely on your own financial assets. This will be invaluable if you need to sign a lease for an apartment.

 

Protect your accounts

 

Change the passwords, usernames and other identifiers for key accounts. This is especially important if you’ve been using your Social Security number as part of your account information.

 

Exit joint accounts

 

Remove yourself from joint accounts. Get a release from loans you have cosigned. This will help minimize financial backlash.

 

 

General Resources

 

Give Back a Smile Program: Dentistry and AACD Charitable Foundation for domestic or sexual abuse survivors. Injuries to the front teeth and/or supportive structures of the front teeth can receive complete construction, cosmetic and reconstruction dental care. Provided by volunteer dentists. 800.773.4227

 

 

Food Pantry Locator: Enter your zip code and a list of food pantries will appear for your area. This list contains ONLY pantries that have listed themselves on this site. There may be pantries in your area that are not on this list. pantrynet.org

 

 

Addiction Resource: Will help you to find the best drug and alcohol rehab centers and programs. Call the free national 24/7 confidential helpline and let friendly and compassionate treatment specialists help you!  addictionresource.com

 

 

Substance Abuse:  PTSD and Substance Use Disorders. Frequently co-occurring among people with substance use disorders, PTSD is a debilitating mental disorder that affects people who have lived through a traumatic event or prolonged trauma. Simultaneous treatment for substance abuse disorders and PTSD has been shown to alleviate symptoms of both disorders and often is the only lifeline to save people drowning in the afflictions of the disorders.  drugrehab.com