Myths and Facts about Domestic Violence
MYTH: Domestic violence is usually a one-time event, an isolated incident.
FACT: Domestic violence is a pattern of coercive, controlling behavior that escalates in severity and danger over time. Domestic violence can include physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, or financial abuse.
MYTH: Violence in someone else’s family is not my business,
FACT: Domestic violence not only severely impacts victims and their families, but also results in huge financial costs that affect our entire society.
MYTH: If a domestic violence victim would leave her abusive partner, she would be safe.
FACT: Women are at an increased risk of harm shortly after separation from an abusive partner. A victim’s risk of getting killed greatly increases when in the process or shortly after leaving. On average, 4 women are killed by a current or former partner every day. (Violence Policy Center/FBI, 2011)
MYTH: Domestic violence only affects the adults in the household.
FACT: Children are particularly vulnerable as both victims and witnesses to domestic violence. Children exposed to violence are more likely to attempt suicide, abuse drugs, and run away from home. Men exposed to domestic violence as children are twice as likely to abuse their own partners and children when they become adults. (Strauss et al, 1990)
MYTH: Domestic violence is rare.
FACT: Domestic violence is a pervasive crime affecting millions of individuals across our nation regardless of age, economic status, race, religion or education. One in 4 women will be the victim of domestic violence at some point in her lifetime. (NIJ/CDC, 2000) Men are also victims of domestic violence, as are couples in same-sex relationships. (BJS, 2007)
MYTH: The police cannot do much about domestic violence.
FACT: Louisiana law permits a law enforcement officer who has reason to believe that domestic abuse has occurred to use all reasonable means to prevent further abuse, including immediate arrest.
MYTH: Domestic violence happens here at about the same rate as other places.
FACT: In 2010, law enforcement reports documented domestic and dating violence cases in the nine Northeast LA parishes at four times the national average (2,118 or 9.2 per 1,000 persons over age 12 vs 2.3 in U.S.) (Wellspring/FJC, 2011; BJS, 2007)
For more info: visit any Wellspring office during regularly scheduled office hours or call (318) 323-1505 or 800-716-7233 anytime day or night.