Facts About Domestic Violence

 

Domestic violence is a pattern of assault and coercive behaviors, attitudes, and expectations, including physical, sexual, verbal and psychological attacks, as well as economic coercion, that adults and adolescents use against their intimate partners. Domestic violence is used by one person to gain and maintain power and control over another.

The Truth About Domestic Violence

• Domestic violence is a crime. Any physical attack against a person is a crime, no matter where it happens or who does it.  Violence within a family threatens the entire community. In many cases, the children within these families perpetuate the cycle of violence by later abusing their own spouse and children.

• In America, an estimated 4-6 million women are battered each year by their intimate partners.

• Abused women comprise approximately 30% of women presenting injury to hospital emergency room.

• The best way to stop the violence is to separate from the abuser, at least for a while. Unless the abuser takes responsibility for the violence and stays in counseling for 6-12 months the violence will probably start again.  It is not your fault.

 

Cycle of Domestic Violence

The cycle of domestic violence shows how domestic violence often becomes a pattern made up of three stages: tension building, violence and seduction.

• Tension Building: criticism, yelling, swearing, using angry gestures, coercion, threats

• Violence: physical and sexual attacks and threats

• Seduction: apologies, blaming, promises to change, gifts

 

If you are being abused, call The Haven for information on resources that are available to you and for assistance developing a safety plan.