Domestic Violence Awareness Month
As we all know from seeing the color pink everywhere as well as seeing many fundraisers, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Look around, have you seen the color purple anywhere? Chances are you haven’t! Not many people know that October is not only Breast Cancer Awareness month, but also Domestic Violence Awareness month.
Domestic violence is a pattern of violence that involves physical, sexual, or psychological attacks used by one person against another to gain power within a relationship. It can affect anyone of any race, age, religion, or education level.
This is a list of useful statistics from the Domestic Violence Resource Center:
– One in four women (25%) has experienced domestic violence in her lifetime.
– Women accounted for 85% of the victims of intimate partner violence.
– Men for approximately 15%
– Women ages 20-24 are at the greatest risk of nonfatal intimate partner violence.
– Nearly three out of four (74%) of Americans personally know someone who is or has been a victim of domestic violence.
– Studies suggest that 3.3-10 million children witness some form of domestic violence annually.
Sometimes abuse can be subtle. However, if your are in an abusive relationship, chances are the thought is always creeping in the back of your mind. So how can you tell if you are being abused? The Domestic Violence Hotline website (www.thehotline.org) shares some information on how to tell if you are.
According to the web-site you may be in an abusive relationship if your partner:
– Calls you names, insults you or continually criticizes you.
– Does not trust you and acts jealous or possessive.
– Tries to isolate you from family or friends.
– Monitors where you go, who you call and who you spend time with.
– Does not want you to work.
– Controls finances or refuses to share money.
– Punishes you by withholding affection.
– Expects you to ask permission.
– Threatens to hurt you, the children, your family or your pets.
– Humiliates you in any way.
To see the signs of other types of abuse go to: www.thehotline.org
If you or anyone you know is in an abusive situation and needs any type , there is the National Domestic Abuse Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) and there is also National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline: 1-866-331-9474.
Resources: https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/resources/domestic-violence/
