My name is Angie and today I am going to speak about domestic violence the causes and effects. I did my research on www.SafeHorizon.org.

In American alone there are 1 in 4 women or men being battered by loved ones. The children of our future are at high risk of witnessing the abuse and growing up to become abusers themselves. Not many people report domestic violence due to fear for their own lives. Domestic violence can happen among friends or neighbors.
What is Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence is a pattern of behavior used to establish power and control over another person through fear and intimidation, often including the threat or use of violence. Domestic violence can include physical, emotional, psychological, economic, and/or sexual abuse. Abusers use threats, intimidation, isolation, and other behaviors to gain and maintain power over their victims.

Domestic violence can affect anyone, regardless of income, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or religion. Domestic violence occurs in same-sex relationships, and men can be victims as well.
Other terms for domestic violence include intimate partner violence, battering, relationship abuse, spousal abuse, or family violence.

Domestic Violence: What are Some Signs?

Physical abuse such as slapping, kicking, hitting, shoving, or other physical force.
Sexual abuse including rape, sexual assault, forced prostitution, or interfering with birth control.
Emotional abuse such as shouting, name-calling, humiliation, constant criticism, or harming the victim’s relationship with her or his children.
Psychological abuse including threats to harm the victims' family, friends, children, co-workers, or pets, isolation, mind games, destruction of victims' property, or stalking.
Economic abuse such as controlling the victim’s money, withholding money for basic needs, interfering with school or job, or damaging the victim’s credit.
Several or all of the above forms of violence and abuse may take place.
Domestic Violence: Shelters and Support
Safe Horizon is the largest provider of domestic violence services in the United States, and the largest provider of domestic violence residences for battered women and men. Their shelters provide more than 700 beds throughout New York City, operating both emergency shelters for crisis situations and transitional housing where families may stay for several months in order to plan for a future free from violence. The shelters offer comprehensive services including counseling, housing assistance, life skills and parenting courses, childcare, and medical aid.
There are places you call for help like 311 or the safe horizon 24 hour hotline at 1-800-621- hope (4673).
Remember that you are not alone and the one to be blamed. As an individual you do have rights, you also have the rights to be safe and feel secure in your own home.
If it is ever reported they do assign you a lawyer free of charge and