| |
Health Tips
Domestic Violence
Definition of Domestic Violence
drkoop.com
Domestic violence constitutes a pattern of abusive behavior that includes the use or threat of violence and intimidation for the purpose of gaining power and control over another person. A violent event is seldomly an isolated incident, but part of a pattern which increases in both frequency and severity over time.
- Physical Abuse -- Any act of violence that is designed to control, hurt, harm or physically assault a partner. This includes pushing, punching, kicking, grabbing, pulling hair, choking, slapping, damaging property or valued items, the use of weapons and refusing to help a sick partner.
- Sexual Abuse -- Any action forcing the partner to perform sexual acts against her/his will. This includes pursuing sexual activity with a partner that is not fully conscious, uninvited touching, unwanted sexual intercourse and coercing a partner to have sex without protection against pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases.
- Psychological/Emotional Abuse -- Any action intended to degrade, humiliate and/or demean, both in public or private. This includes verbal threats, yelling, intimidation, harassment, criticism, lying, withholding information and isolation from family and/or friends. Psychological abuse may precede or accompany physical violence as a means of control.
- Economic Coercion -- Any action forcing the partner to become dependent on the abuser for money and survival. This includes withholding money, a car or other resources; sabotaging attempts to make money independently; or controlling all family finances.
The Scope of the Problem in the U.S.
drkoop.com
Although it is difficult to obtain accurate statistics concerning the incidence of domestic violence, it is estimated that at least 3 million to 4 million women are beaten by their husbands or partners annually.
- A woman is more likely to be assaulted, injured, raped or killed by a male partner than by any other type of assailant.
- About half of all marital relationships involve some form of domestic violence.
- Of males that beat their wives or partners, 47 percent do so three or more times a year.
- More than one-half of the female homicide victims in this country are killed by their male partners. In Massachusetts alone, a battered woman is killed once every nine days.
To put the information in perspective, during the Vietnam War, there were 58,000 American soldiers killed in Southeast Asia; during the same period of time, 51,000 women were murdered by their partners in America.
Other Domestic Violence Facts
Family Violence Prevention Fund
Prevalence:
- Nearly one-third of American women (31%) report being physically or sexually abused by a husband or boyfriend at some point in their lives, according to a 1998 Commonwealth Fund survey.
- Thirty percent of Americans say they know a woman who has been physically abused by her husband or boyfriend in the past year.
- While women are less likely than men to be victims of violent crimes overall, women are five to eight times more likely than men to be victimized by an intimate partner. From 1993 to 1998, victimization by an intimate accounted for 22 percent of the violence experienced by females. It accounted for three percent of the violent crime sustained by males.
- Women of all races are about equally vulnerable to violence by an intimate.
Domestic Violence and Youth
- Approximately one in five female high school students reports being physically and/or sexually abused by a dating partner.
- Forty percent of girls age 14 to 17 report knowing someone their age who has been hit or beaten by a boyfriend.
Domestic Violence and Children
- In a national survey of more than 6,000 American families, 50 percent of the men who frequently assaulted their wives also frequently abused their children.
- Slightly more than half of female victims of intimate violence live in households with children under age 12.
Health Consequences of Domestic Violence
- The U.S. Department of Justice reported that 37% of all women who sought care in hospital emergency rooms for violence-related injuries were injured by a current or former spouse, boyfriend or girlfriend.
Children's Health and Domestic Violence
- Children who witness domestic violence are more likely to exhibit behavioral and physical health problems including depression, anxiety, and violence towards peers. They are also more likely to attempt suicide, abuse drugs and alcohol, run away from home, engage in teenage prostitution, and commit sexual assault crimes.
- Fifty percent of men who frequently assault their wives frequently assault their children, and the U.S. Advisory Board on Child Abuse and Neglect suggests that domestic violence may be the single major precursor to child abuse and neglect fatalities in this country.
Costs of Domestic Violence
- From 1987 to 1990, crime costs Americans $450 billion a year. Adult victims of domestic violence incurred 15% of the total cost of crime on victims ($67 billion).
- A study conducted at Rush Medical Center in Chicago found that the average charge for medical services provided to abused women, children and older people was $1,633 per person per year. This would amount to a national annual cost of $857.3 million.
Recognizing Abuse: 10 Warning Signs of Domestic Violence
Family Violence Prevention Fund
What do you do if you think your friend or family member is in a violent relationship, but you're not sure? Go with your instincts - you probably wouldn't be concerned without reason. Here are some signs to look for that might indicate an abusive relationship:
- When your friend and her husband or boyfriend are together, he acts very controlling and puts her down in front of other people.
- You see her partner violently lose his temper, striking or breaking objects.
- He acts extremely jealous of others who pay attention to her, especially men.
- She becomes quiet when he is around and seems afraid of making him angry.
- She stops seeing her friends and family members, becoming more and more isolated.
- She often has unexplained injuries, or the explanations she offers don't quite add up. (Sometimes you won't see any bruises, as batterers target their blows to areas that can be covered with clothing.)
- She has casually mentioned his violent behavior but dismissed what happened as "not a big deal."
- She often cancels plans at the last minute.
- Her partner controls her finances, her behavior and even who she socializes with.
- Her child is frequently upset or very quiet and withdrawn and won't say why.
Talking to a Friend Who Is Being Abused
Family Violence Prevention Fund
You might think that something as simple as talking to a friend about abuse couldn't possibly make a difference. But it really does.
Just knowing that someone cares enough to ask about the abuse can break through the wall of isolation that can exist around victims of relationship abuse.
If you think a friend or loved one is being abused, talk to her about it. Listen to her. Let her know you care. You don't have to be an expert. You just need to be a friend.
- Listen, without judging. Often a battered woman believes her abuser's negative messages about herself. She may feel responsible, ashamed, inadequate and afraid she will be judged by you.
- Tell her the abuse is not her fault. Explain that physical violence in a relationship is never acceptable. There's no excuse for it - not alcohol or drugs, financial pressure, depression, jealousy or any behavior of hers.
- Make sure she knows she is not alone. Millions of women of every age, race and religion face abuse, and many women find it extremely difficult to deal with the violence. Emphasize that when she wants help, it is available. Let her know that domestic violence tends to get worse and become more frequent with time and that it rarely goes away on its own.
- Explain that relationship abuse is a crime, and that she can seek protection from the police or courts, and help from a local domestic violence program. Suggest that she call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (http://www.ndvh.org), for advice and referrals.
- Suggest that she develop a safety plan in case of emergency: it's a good idea to keep money, important documents, a change of clothes and an extra set of keys in a safe place, such as at a friend or neighbor's house.
- If she decides to leave her relationship, she may need money, assistance finding a place to live, a place to store her belongings or a ride to a battered women's shelter. Think about ways you might feel comfortable helping her.
- If you want to talk with someone yourself to get advice about a particular situation, contact a local domestic violence program.
Other Resources
- DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence - 202/299-1181
- National Council on Child Abuse & Family Violence
1155 Connecticut Avenue, NW Suite 400
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 429-6695
(800) 222-2000
- National Domestic Violence Hotline - How to Get Help in Your State - http://www.ndvh.org/
 Back to Top  Printer-friendly Page  Contact Us
|
|
