Information


What is Domestic Violence?

Why Does Domestic Violence Occur?

Don’t Men Get Battered?

Domestic Violence Statistics

What to Do If You Are the Victim

What to Do If Someone You Know is a Victim

Other Ways to Help

What is Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behaviors used by one individual intended to exert power and control over another individual in the context of an intimate or family relationship. It occurs in families of all races, religions, educational levels and income groups. The abuse can take the form of physical, sexual, and verbal abuse, as well as emotional and mental cruelty. Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women between the ages of 15 and 44, (Uniform Crime Reports, FBI) yet it is the least reported crime. Examples of abusive behavior include:

    • Verbal violence including name-calling, cursing, and yelling
    • Criticizing and humiliating their partner in front of others
    • Non-verbal threats such as “the look”
    • Controlling all the money in the relationship
    • Physical violence such as hitting, shoving, and choking
    • Forcing or demanding sex
    • Threaten to hurt or kill their partner or themselves

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Why Does Domestic Violence Occur?

People are abusive because they are trying to gain more power and control over their intimate partner. In many cases this is a learned behavior. Our culture tolerates a high level of violence within the family and within society.

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Don’t Men Get Battered?

Yes, however men are far more often the perpetrators of serious injury than women. Women are much more likely than men to be victimized by a current or former intimate partner. Women are 84 percent of spouse abuse victims and 86 percent of victims of abuse at the hands of a boyfriend or girlfriend. About three-fourths of the persons who commit family violence are male.

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What to Do If You Are the Victim

  • Learn the number to the local domestic violence program (Empowerhouse: 540-373-9373) and to the local enforcement agency (911)
  • Hide an extra set of car and house keys
  • Put money aside for an emergency
  • Find out your legal rights and options
  • Plan for the fastest escape route out of the house
  • Store some clothing for yourself and your children at a friend’s house. Include any important paperwork, money, and credit cards
  • Confide in a friend and describe what happened. Keep a log of abusive incidents, include dates and witnesses
  • Contact the local domestic violence program (Empowerhouse: 540-373-9373) for temporary emergency shelter, emotional support, and information

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What to Do If Someone You Know is a Victim

    • Let them know domestic violence is a crime
    • Lend an empathetic ear
    • Express concerns for their safety
    • Let the victim know it is not their fault and that they deserve a life of freedom
    • Support their decisions
    • Give them the Empowerhouse phone number 540-373-9373

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Other Ways to Help

Donate

  • Time
  • Financial support
  • Household items
  • Cleaning supplies
  • School and craft supplies
  • Clothing
  • Food and personal care items

Volunteer

  • To work in the domestic violence program
  • To become an advocate for battered women
  • To help organize fund raising projects to ensure the future of Empowerhouse

 
 
 
 

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