Domestic Violence Impacts Every Community
Domestic violence occurs regardless of age, race, ethnicity, mental or physical ability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status and religious background. Victims come from all walks of life but most often are women.
Power and Control
Battering constitutes a pattern of behavior that includes the use or threat of violence and intimidation for the purpose of gaining power and controlling another person.
Loss of Personal Freedom
Domestic violence robs women of their fundamental right to maintain control over their own lives. Women who are abused live in fear and isolation in the one place they should always feel safe – their own homes.
YOU COULD BE IN AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP IF …
- You constantly worry about your partner’s moods and change your behavior to deal with them;
- You feel like you’re walking on egg shells;
- Your partner seems like two different people;
- You are afraid of your partner’s temper;
- You don’t see family or friends to avoid your partner’s jealousy or anger;
- Your partner wants to control where you go and what you do;
- Your partner wants to be needed for money, or wants to control your money;
- You are constantly accused of having affairs;
- You are ridiculed, put down or humiliated;
- You find yourself doing anything to avoid anger;
- Your boyfriend is so jealous & bossy that dating is scary;
- Your partner blames you for all the failures in the relationship;
- You are accused of being to blame for your partner’s pain;
- Your partner screams at you, throws things, breaks or steals your things;
- Your partner hurts you in anger or in “play”;
- Your partner slaps, pulls, shoves, hits, kicks, burns, punches or restrains you;
- Your partner threatens you with a weapon;
- Your partner uses alcohol, drugs, or having a bad childhood as excuses for abusive behavior;
- Your partner pressures you about having sex or about a particular sex act;
- Your partner hurts you during sex or forces you to do sexual things against your will..
The Facts on Children’s Exposure to Violence
Too many children in the United States are growing up in homes and communities where they witness or experience violence. Repeated exposure to violence and subsequent trauma can impact a young person’s health, ability to succeed in school, their likelihood of becoming a victim or perpetrator of violence, and overall, their opportunity to stay on the right track.
Although the prevalence of children’s exposure to violence is overwhelming, there is clear evidence that simple solutions can help children to heal and thrive. We all have a role to play in preventing violence in our communities and supporting children who have been exposed to violence. Knowing the facts about children’s exposure to violence, as well as the factors that promote resilience, is the first step to changing the course for children in our communities.
Domestic and Sexual Violence and Stalking Workplace Impact
Workplace violence has gained increasing attention over the last ten years, with numerous reports of disgruntled current or former employees killing co-workers and bystanders at work. Domestic violence, sexual violence and stalking underlie a significant portion of workplace violence. A workplace becomes an easy target because the perpetrator can readily locate or access an intended victim. Domestic and sexual violence and stalking pose significant safety risks and economic impact in workplaces nationwide.