True or False

True or False.....

1. Domestic violence affects only a small number of people.

FALSE

According to the FBI, 1 out of every 4 women is a victim of domestic violence at least once in her lifetime.

In 55% of the cases where men are assaulting their partners, they are also assaulting their children. The battered mother may be suffering from such physical and psychological injuries that she cannot meet the needs of her children appropriately.

2. Battering is just a momentary loss of temper.

FALSE

The Surgeon General of the United States reports that 1 out of 5 women battered by their partners have been victimized over and over again by the same person.

The American Medical Association defines domestic violence as an ongoing, debilitating experience of physical, psychological, and/or sexual abuse.

3. Domestic violence does not produce serious injuries.

FALSE

The leading cause of injury for women age 15 to 44 is domestic violence.

The Michigan State Police statistics show that a woman is killed by a partner or former partner every 5 days in Michigan.

4. Leaving an abusive relationship is easy.

FALSE

A study by the United States Department of Justice states that the most dangerous time for a woman who is being battered is when she leaves.

In Michigan, 75% of the women who are killed by their partners are murdered after the relationship is over or as it ends.

5. Battered women always stay in violent relationships.

FALSE

Many battered women do leave their abusers permanently and succeed in building a life free of violence.

Almost all battered women leave at least once.

6. Only poor and minority groups are victims of domestic violence.

FALSE

People of all socio-economic classes, races, religions, ethnic backgrounds, and sexual orientations can be victims of domestic violence.

7. Only married women are victims of domestic violence.

FALSE

People who are dating, separated, living together, divorced, have a child in common and/or are married, can be abused. Domestic violence can occur in any of these relationships.

8. Women are just as violent as men.

FALSE

In 97% of domestic assaults, the man is the perpetrator of the violence.

Who Are The Victims?

ANYONE CAN BE A VICTIM of domestic violence: rich ... poor ... old ... young... married ... single ... Black, White, Asian, Hispanic, Native American ... professionals ... unemployed people ... celebrities. Though both women and men can be a victim, the vast majority of victims are women.

For women aged 15 to 44, domestic violence is the leading cause of injury.

There is a domestic homicide every 5 days in Michigan.

Children living in a home where the mother is abused are also more likely to receive mistreatment or neglect by the abuser. Children who witness abuse are victims as well.

If you are a woman of a racial or ethnic minority

Women who belong to a racial or ethnic minority may feel they are much less likely to receive help than are white women because of prejudice against them. You may be reluctant to seek help because you don’t believe anyone will help you. The groups listed in this book will help you.

Your partner may use your common experiences with prejudice and understandable fear of prejudice to keep you under control. He may tell you that if you “have him arrested,” he may be beaten or killed by the police. He may suggest that you are “selling out” to the white man by seeking help from outside your own community. He may ridicule you by saying you’re going to a bunch of white women for help. He may tell you that because of prejudice, you should do what he tells you so that he can feel like a real man.

You may be concerned about encountering prejudice from staff, volunteers, or white battered women. All staff and volunteers of groups listed in this book have training on racial and ethnic minorities and are given information about the special issues that face minority women in battering relationships.

If you are a lesbian survivor

Physical violence does occur in lesbian relationships. If you are a lesbian who is being battered by your partner, you may have some special issues. You may be afra

id that getting help will involve telling people that you’re a lesbian which could result in loss of friends, family, job, housing or children. Your partner may threaten to come out for you to other people. She may tell you you’re not a real lesbian.

She may use the special concerns and issues of the lesbian community to keep you under control. She may tell you that by telling people about the abuse, you’re reinforcing the homophobia of the straight culture, and are selling out lesbians. You may be afraid to tell your family because this may reinforce their views that you’re in a “sick” lifestyle. You may not want your partner to lose her job or family by reporting her to the police, and therefore revealing her orientation.

You can get the assistance you want and be sensitively and respectfully helped by calling any of the groups whose numbers appear in this book.

If you are a gay male survivor

You may encounter many of the same barriers that lesbian survivors do. The same laws apply. Physical, emotional and economic abuse occur in gay relationships, too. Help is available from Affirmations. Call 1 (800) 398 - GAYS to get you out of abusive relationships.

If you have been the victim of forced anal sex, or any sex that has caused cuts or abrasions, you may be in greater danger of contracting AIDS.

If you are a male survivor

There is a popular misconception that a male can’t be abused. Some men think they won’t be believed or that they’ll be humiliated if they speak up and try to get help.

Men do get abused, and although this abuse is less common than abuse of women, it is just as wrong. Call a few of the groups in this book. You will be sensitively and respectively helped.

If you have a physical disability

Assailants may perceive people with physical disabilities as easier to control. Assailants often use the disability as another method of control. You may be battered by your personal care attendant. Your caregiver might threaten to withhold food, medication or care.

Because of environmental barriers, people with physical disabilities are already isolated. The batterer may be increasing that isolation through such tactics as removing the wheelchair ramp, removing the T.D.D., or not helping you get places. If you are unable to drive a car, use a bus, or a cab, it could be more difficult for you to escape.

There is a myth that caretakers batter people with disabilities because they are frustrated with taking care of them. This is not true. Assailants batter in order to control.

Help is available through the groups listed on the home page. Give them a call.

If you are elderly

If you are no longer independent, you may be depending on someone for care who is abusing or neglecting you. Many older people are afraid to report abusive caregivers for fear of retaliation. You may think that if this caregiver is out of the picture, you will have nowhere to go. There is help available for you, too.

Some examples of abuse and neglect that older people may suffer at the hands of their caregivers are: improper use of restraints or medication, threats of punishment or isolation, being left alone for long periods of time, having money stolen, or being deprived of meals, beverages, eyeglasses and hearing aids.

Return to Shelter Home Page

	According to the FBI, 1 out of every 4 women is a victim of domestic violence at least once in her lifetime.
	In 55% of the cases where men are assaulting their partners, they are also assaulting their children. The battered mother may be suffering from such physical and psychological injuries that she cannot meet the needs of her children appropriately.

	The Surgeon General of the United States reports that 1 out of 5 women battered by their partners have been victimized over and over again by the same person.
	The American Medical Association defines domestic violence as an ongoing, debilitating experience of physical, psychological, and/or sexual abuse.

	The leading cause of injury for women age 15 to 44 is domestic violence.
	The Michigan State Police statistics show that a woman is killed by a partner or former partner every 5 days in Michigan.

	A study by the United States Department of Justice states that the most dangerous time for a woman who is being battered is when she leaves.
	In Michigan, 75% of the women who are killed by their partners are murdered after the relationship is over or as it ends.

	Many battered women do leave their abusers permanently and succeed in building a life free of violence.
	Almost all battered women leave at least once.

	For women aged 15 to 44, domestic violence is the leading cause of injury.
	There is a domestic homicide every 5 days in Michigan.