Domestic Violence
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Domestic violence is a pattern of assaultive and coercive behaviors that one partner
uses against a current or former intimate partner. It occurs in intimate relationships
where the perpetrator and the victim are currently or previously have been dating,
living together, married or divorced. They might have children in common or not.
Domestic violence is purposeful behavior. A batterer’s pattern of abusive acts is
directed at achieving compliance and control over the victim. Tactics that work to
control the victim are selectively chosen by the batterer. This power permeates every
aspect of the victim’s life.
Victims of domestic violence come from all walks of life, are predominantly female
and are likely to take the blame for the battering or feel responsible.
Perpetrators of domestic violence also come from all walks of life, have the capacity
to be very charming, move quickly into relationships and have a need for power and
control and use both charm and assault behaviors to gain control.
Methods of power and control include:
■Isolation
■Verbal abuse & threats
■Destruction of property
■Physical battering
■Sexual abuse and coercion
■Stalking
■Financial control
The effects of domestic violence can last a lifetime. Physical injuries are just one part
of power and control.
■The average divorce involving domestic violence can last 2-4 years.
■The financial impact can last for 10-20 years while the survivor works to repair or
build credit, build assets and secure housing, childcare and transportation.
■The emotional impact last a lifetime.
Leaving is not easy. It involves many internal and external factors.
Internal factors include: maintaining a household, religion, children’s relationships,
feeling responsible for a partner’s welfare, love and fear.
External factors are often economic in nature and include: lack of money, lack of
housing, lack of employment, community pressures and lack of support from
criminal justice agencies.
A complex combination of psychological, cultural, religious, familial and economic
factors contribute to a victim’s decision to remain in or leave an abusive relationship.
Behind fear, domestic violence victims frequently cite income, employment and
financial stability as the strongest, most immediate deterrents to leaving abusive
situations. The devastation of leaving a home, income, benefits and economic security
behind are scenarios that all victims of domestic violence must overcome, regardless
of their education, job skills and personal earning potential, if they are to care for
their families and live more safe and secure lives.
The struggles of victims and survivors of domestic violence for economic
empowerment reverberate throughout every community in this nation. Survivors and
current victims of domestic violence are over-represented in the welfare population
and many women and children are homeless because of domestic violence.
However, leaving an abusive situation often increases risk.
■Batterers escalate in their assaultive and coercive behaviors when the victim is
trying to separate.
■The majority of homicides occur when the victim has left the abuser or is
attempting to leave.
■The risk of being assaulted or stalked at the workplace increases as this may be the
one place the batterer knows where to find the victim.
Help is available 24 hours a day by calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline
telephone number at 1–800–799–SAFE (7233). (Or call the hotline's TTY number at
1–800–787–3224.)
A Survivor: "When I entered the shelter in 2001, I could only imagine one day at a
time. With help like yours I can imagine a future. Thank you."
uses against a current or former intimate partner. It occurs in intimate relationships
where the perpetrator and the victim are currently or previously have been dating,
living together, married or divorced. They might have children in common or not.
Domestic violence is purposeful behavior. A batterer’s pattern of abusive acts is
directed at achieving compliance and control over the victim. Tactics that work to
control the victim are selectively chosen by the batterer. This power permeates every
aspect of the victim’s life.
Victims of domestic violence come from all walks of life, are predominantly female
and are likely to take the blame for the battering or feel responsible.
Perpetrators of domestic violence also come from all walks of life, have the capacity
to be very charming, move quickly into relationships and have a need for power and
control and use both charm and assault behaviors to gain control.
Methods of power and control include:
■Isolation
■Verbal abuse & threats
■Destruction of property
■Physical battering
■Sexual abuse and coercion
■Stalking
■Financial control
The effects of domestic violence can last a lifetime. Physical injuries are just one part
of power and control.
■The average divorce involving domestic violence can last 2-4 years.
■The financial impact can last for 10-20 years while the survivor works to repair or
build credit, build assets and secure housing, childcare and transportation.
■The emotional impact last a lifetime.
Leaving is not easy. It involves many internal and external factors.
Internal factors include: maintaining a household, religion, children’s relationships,
feeling responsible for a partner’s welfare, love and fear.
External factors are often economic in nature and include: lack of money, lack of
housing, lack of employment, community pressures and lack of support from
criminal justice agencies.
A complex combination of psychological, cultural, religious, familial and economic
factors contribute to a victim’s decision to remain in or leave an abusive relationship.
Behind fear, domestic violence victims frequently cite income, employment and
financial stability as the strongest, most immediate deterrents to leaving abusive
situations. The devastation of leaving a home, income, benefits and economic security
behind are scenarios that all victims of domestic violence must overcome, regardless
of their education, job skills and personal earning potential, if they are to care for
their families and live more safe and secure lives.
The struggles of victims and survivors of domestic violence for economic
empowerment reverberate throughout every community in this nation. Survivors and
current victims of domestic violence are over-represented in the welfare population
and many women and children are homeless because of domestic violence.
However, leaving an abusive situation often increases risk.
■Batterers escalate in their assaultive and coercive behaviors when the victim is
trying to separate.
■The majority of homicides occur when the victim has left the abuser or is
attempting to leave.
■The risk of being assaulted or stalked at the workplace increases as this may be the
one place the batterer knows where to find the victim.
Help is available 24 hours a day by calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline
telephone number at 1–800–799–SAFE (7233). (Or call the hotline's TTY number at
1–800–787–3224.)
A Survivor: "When I entered the shelter in 2001, I could only imagine one day at a
time. With help like yours I can imagine a future. Thank you."