What is Domestic Violence?


Domestic Violence is a serious problem for the nearly 1,000,000 women and 150,000 men directly affected in the U.S. It is generally, any act or threatened act of violence against a co-habitant- (spouse, common law spouse, or family member). It is a broad term that can include property damage, emotional, physical, psychological abuse, battery, rape or any activity designed to intimidate, control or exact revenge.
Partners may be married or not married; heterosexual, gay, or lesbian; living together, separated or dating.
ANYONE CAN BE A VICTIM! Victims can be of any age, sex, race, culture, religion, education, employment or marital status. Although both men and women can be abused, most victims are women. Children in homes where there is domestic violence are more likely to be abused and/or neglected. Most children in these homes know about the violence. Even if a child is not physically harmed, they may have emotional and behavior problems.
Examples of abuse include:

• name-calling or putdowns
  
• keeping a partner from contacting their family or friends
  
• withholding money
  
• stopping a partner from getting or keeping a job
  
• actual or threatened physical harm
  
• sexual assault
  
• stalking
  
• intimidation

If you are being abused
Remember, You are not alone, It is not your fault, and Help is available
Battering results in hurt, anger, fear, and degradation. All batterers abuse their victims in order to gain control of them. Abuse intimidates the victimized partner, damages both self-confidence and one’s ability to evaluate one’s situation. Abuse inhibits the victim from taking action to protect oneself.