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Things Everyone Should Know About Domestic Violence
Most Importantly:
Domestic abuse is about one thing and one thing only: another person using whatever means possible to control you.
A domestic abuser will always blame you, never himself or herself for the abuse.
Left unchecked, domestic abuse will always escalate; it will always get worse.
Whatever an abuser tells you, whatever an abuser does to you, it is not your fault!
You are not alone!
Also:
• Domestic violence is not about uncontrolled anger or momentary loss of temper.
• It is not normal marital conflict.
• It is not the result of a lovers’ quarrel.
• Domestic violence is behavior used by one person to gain and maintain control over another person.
• It is a pattern of psychological, sexual, emotional and physical abuse that escalates over time.
• Domestic violence is the leading cause of injuries to women and girls between the ages of 13 and 44 in our country.
• As many as 35% of women who visit emergency rooms are there because of domestic violence.
• Almost half of reported cases of aggravated assaults are related to domestic violence.
• A third of all criminal homicides are related to domestic violence.
• Twenty-eight percent of teen relationships involve violence.
• Domestic violence affects women (and some men) from all income levels, cultures, races, ages and religious affiliations.
• Almost 60% of all women and children who are homeless or living in shelters are there because of domestic violence.
• The most violent instances of domestic abuse often occur when a victim is attempting to leave the relationship or escape to a place of safety.