Domestic Violence Changing The Lives Of Families Across The United States By Michelle Guy

What is Domestic Violence?  “We define domestic violence as a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. “ (US Department of Justice, 2012).  Domestic abuse can happen to anyone.

A Few Statistics  1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men are victims of domestic violence at some point in their lives. (National Domestic Abuse Hotline, 2012).  1 in 3 teens report knowing a friend or peer who has been hit, punched, slapped, choked or physically hurt by his/her partner. (National Domestic Abuse Hotline, 2012).

Most People Can’t Afford Counseling  Counseling can be very expensive for anyone who doesn’t have insurance  The average cost of a counseling session for one individual is $65 (American Counseling Association, 2012)  Not everyone has health insurance

How Does It Affect Our Children? “Without help, girls who witness domestic violence are more vulnerable to abuse as teens and adults. Boys who witness domestic violence are far more likely to become abusers of their partners and/or children as adults, thus continuing the cycle of violence in the next generation.” (Safe Horizon, 2012)

It Doesn’t Just Happen To Women “Men and women engage in overall comparable levels of abuse and control, such as diminishing the partner’s self-esteem, isolation and jealousy, using children and economic abuse”. (Domestic Violence Resource Center, 2012). IT CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE!

So, What Can We Do?  Take note of the shelters in your community  Fundraise and donate time or money to your local shelter  Talk to your children about their relationships  Report any obvious signs of domestic violence

Resources US Department of Justice (2012, August). USDOJ: Office on Violence Against Women: Crimes of Focus: Domestic Violence. USDOJ: Office on Violence Against Women. Retrieved November 3, 2012, from National Domestic Violence Hotline (n.d.). Abuse In America. National Domestic Violence Hotline. Retrieved November 3, 2012, from Safe Horizon :: Domestic Violence: Statistics & Facts. (2012). Safe Horizon :: Moving victims of violence from crisis to confidence. Retrieved November 3, 2012, from abuse-53/domestic-violence-the-facts-195.html

Resources American Counseling Association (n.d.). Frequently Asked Questions. Welcome to the American Counseling Association. Retrieved November 18, 2012, from Domestic Violence Resource Center | Domestic violence statistics. (n.d.). Domestic Violence Resource Center. Retrieved November 18, 2012, from or.org/domestic/violence/resources/C61/