Domestic Violence Facts

What is domestic violence?

Domestic violence is the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, or any other abusive behavior perpetrated by an intimate partner against another. Domestic violence results in physical injury, psychological trauma, and sometimes death.

• Almost four million American women were physically abused by their husbands or boyfriends in the last year alone.
• A woman is physically abused every nine seconds in this country.
• Women are more often victims of domestic violence than victims of burglary, muggings, and other physical crimes combined.
• Forty-two percent of all murdered women are killed by their intimate male partners.

Domestic violence is not a problem just for adults. Teens experience domestic violence in their relationships, too. In fact, domestic violence is very common in teen dating relationships. Here are some important facts:

• One in three teens experiences some kind of abuse in their romantic relationships, including verbal and emotional abuse.
• 40% of teenage girls, ages 14 to 17, know someone their age who has been hit or beaten by their partner. 
• Nearly 80% of girls who have been physically abused in their intimate relationships continue to date their abuser.
• 1 in 4 teenage girls who have been in relationships reveal they have been pressured to perform oral sex or engage in intercourse.

What do I need to know?

Recognizing abuse in a relationship is difficult, but especially for teens. There are many types of abuse that teens often believe are not abusive or are normal in a relationship. Even though teen relationships may be different from adult relationships in many ways, teens do experience the same types of physical, sexual, verbal and emotional abuse that adults do.

Teens also face unique obstacles if they decide to get help. Unlike many adults, teens may not have money, transportation, or safe places to go. They may have concerns about lack of confidentiality, reports to police and child protective services, and parental notification. But teens do have rights to a safe and healthy relationship. In some states, teens may apply for restraining or protective orders and get domestic violence services without the help of a parent or guardian. 

What is a shelter?

                        All shelters services are free and confidential.

                        You don’t need a police report.

                        They are a secure location.

                        Legal advocates are on-site.

                        Case Managers help you explore your options and set  goals

   

Increased Danger Signs: “Red Flag Signs”

                        Abuse happens more often

                        Abuse gets rougher

                        There is a gun in the house

                        Abuser uses drugs or alcohol

                        Abuser threatens to kill self or others

                        Abuser hurts or kills pets

                        Abuser is jealous, suspicious, or possessive

                        Abuser gets into fights with other people

 

Taking the First Step

                        If leaving is not an option make a safety plan

                        Call Police if you are being abused

                        If it is safe, keep a journal of the abuse

                        Attend a support group

                        Call the state domestic violence hotline to discuss options : 1-800-500-1119

 

Safety Plan

                        Before you are ready to leave establish a verbal code word or code phrase with  

                        family & friends to alert them when you are in trouble.

                        Ask a neighbor to call police if violence begins

                        Hide any weapons

                        Arrange for safety of pets, call animal control to take them if they are in danger of

                        being hurt

 

Safety Plan: “Escape Bag”

                        Pack an escape bag with driver’s license

                        Birth Certificates for you & your children

                        Social Security Cards for you & you children

                        Food Stamps, Medical Cards, Etc.

 

Financial Information

                        Checkbook, ATM card, etc

                        Money, credit cards, bank books, etc

                        Proof of income for self & partner

 

Legal Information

                        Your injunction for Protection

                        Lease, rental agreement, house deed

                        Car registration & insurance papers

                        Health & Life insurance papers

                        Medical records for you & your children

 

Other Important Items

                        House, car & safety deposit box keys

                        Medicines & all prescriptions (extra)

                        Jewelry, glasses, dentures, contact lenses

                        Pictures of you, your children & your abusive partner

                        Change of clothes for you & your children

                        Security Blanket or stuffed animal for your child

 

 

 

 

 

                        Hotline Numbers:

                        Florida’s Domestic Violence hotline at 1-800-500-1119

                        National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE

                        U.S. National Teen Dating Violence Helpline at 1-866-331-9474