Feature Article
What is Domestic Violence?
Kim Allen, Director, Center for Adolescent Sexuality, Pregnancy and Parenting, Associate State Specialist, HDFS Extension
Domestic Violence is when one person uses power and
control to dominate their partner, and research shows
that most victims of domestic violence are women. People
typically associate physical abuse with domestic
violence, but there are actually four types of abuse:
physical, psychological, rape and sexual, and economic
abuse.
Why doesn’t the victim just leave?
It is common for people who have never been a victim of
domestic abuse to wonder why these women just don’t
leave. The truth is, women in a domestic violence
situation have a tremendous amount of barriers to
leaving. Safety is a common reason why women stay—there
is often a very real fear of harm or death to herself or
her children if she leaves. A history of psychological
abuse can also contribute to a woman’s ability to have
the esteem and resources to make that decision. Without
a safe place to go, transportation to get there, and
money to survive once she arrives, her options are
limited. Finally, women have spent time and energy in
their relationship, which was likely based on love and
commitment. Overcoming social values related to divorce,
violence and safety as well as a lack of support and
resources make this a difficult decision for many women.
How common is domestic violence?
The Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual
Violence (MCADSV) keeps statistics on the number of
domestic events in Missouri. According to MCADSV and the
Missouri State Highway Patrol, 38,902 reports of
domestic violence were recorded in 2005. However,
research suggests that only half of the incidents of
domestic violence ever get reported.
As a result of the high numbers of domestic abuse in Missouri, MCADSV
member programs provided services to many women,
children and men in Missouri. Services include hotline
calls, intervention groups, safe temporary housing, case
management, community education, and therapy. 2005
MCADSV statistics show that domestic violence providers
served:
- 28,936 women
- 14,540 children
- 1,680 men
- 87,571 hot/crisis intervention calls
- 4,527 support groups for battered women
- 2,007 support groups for children
- 1,144 batterer intervention groups
What should someone do if they are a victim of
domestic violence?
The best thing a person can do if they are a victim
of domestic violence is to get help from
professionals who have training and information that
is crucial to success. These professionals will work
with women to develop a safety plan, which is a
detailed guideline for leaving an abusive situation
and a plan for what to do to keep safe while in the
abusive situation.
- National Hotline for domestic abuse:
1-800-799-SAFE (7299)
1-800-787-3224 (TTY) - Information on creating a safety plan:
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/domestic_violence_abuse_help_
treatment_prevention.htm#help - Missouri help line numbers: http://www.aardvarc.org/dv/states/modv.shtml
For more information about domestic violence,
please review the following websites:
- http://ndvh.org/
- http://www.mocadsv.org/Resources/CMSResources/pdf/Stats 05.pdf
- http://missourifamilies.org/quick/divorceqa/divorceqa38.htm
Last Updated 05/06/2008
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