October 3, 2011

Domestic Violence

IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW NEEDS HELP OR INFORMATION:

Domestic violence is the single major cause of injury to women, more than muggings and car accidents combined, and is the cause of 30% of physical disabilities in women.
Domestic violence occurs in 60% of marriages, making it the most underreported crime, and ½ of all women mudered in the U.S. are murdered by a spouse or acquaintance.
Batterers CHOOSE to be violent toward their partners in ways they would never consider treating other people. Domestic violence is about a batterers’ deliberate USE of their control, not a LOSS of their control.
While NOT the underlying cause, many abusers do use alcohol/drugs, and may use that as an excuse to explain their violence.
1/2 of all rape victims are between the ages of 14 and 17, and females who are 20-24 years old are at the greatest risk of nonfatal partner violence.

Not all batterers beat their children (30-60%) , but…..
Witnessing violence between parents is the strongest risk factor for them becoming batterers themselves.
All children living with domestic violence experience emotional and psychological abuse when one parent is violent to the other.

Domestic violence tends to have 3 phases.

Tension, arguing, and anger escalate.
The arguing crosses the line into abuse, which can be physical, sexual or emotional.
Following the violent episode, the “honeymoon phase” occurs in which the batterer may make excuses for the behavior, promise to change, or apologize.

The level of violence usually gets worse.