Who Is Affected?
• 1 in 4 for women victimized her lifetime. • Each of us know someone who has been affected, whether we know it or not. • Domestic violence occurs in every culture, country, and age group. • It affects people from all socioeconomic, educational, and religious backgrounds and happens in both same-sex and heterosexual relationships.

Domestic violence not only affects those who are abused, but also has affects family members, friends, co-workers, other witnesses, and the community at large. Children, who grow up witnessing domestic violence, are among those seriously affected by this crime. Frequent exposure to violence in the home not only predisposes children to numerous social and physical problems, but also teaches them that violence is a normal way of life.Domestic violence can take many forms, including emotional, sexual and physical abuse and threats of abuse. Men are sometimes abused by partners, but domestic violence is most often directed toward women.
Monday, April 29, 2013

Identifying Domestic Violence
It might not be easy to identify domestic violence at first. While some relationships are clearly abusive from the outset, abuse often starts subtly and gets worse over time. You might be experiencing domestic violence if you're in a relationship with someone who:
• • • • • Calls you names, insults you or puts you down Prevents you from going to work or school Stops you from seeing family members or friends Tries to control how you spend money, where you go, what medicines you take or what you wear Acts jealous or possessive or constantly accuses you of being unfaithful. Gets angry when drinking alcohol or using drugs • • Threatens you with violence or a weapon Hits, kicks, shoves, slaps, chokes or otherwise hurts you, your children or your pets Forces you to have sex or engage in sexual acts against your will Blames you for his or her violent behavior or tells you that you deserve it Portrays the violence as mutual and consensual

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Monday, April 29, 2013

Disturbing Facts about Domestic Violence
• Every year 4,000 victims of domestic violence are killed. • According to the U.S. Department of Justice, 95% of assaults on spouse or exspouses are committed by men against women. • A woman is beaten every 15 seconds. • Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women between ages 15 and 44 in the U.S. • Approximately 2.3 million people each year in the United States are raped and/or physically assaulted by a current or former spouse, boyfriend or girlfriend. Women who were physically assaulted by an intimate