Domestic Violence

These are signs to look for if you suspect domestic abuse:

• Repeated bruises, broken bones, or other injuries that are difficult to account for as accidents.
• Complaints of nonspecific aches and pains that are constant and recurring. These problems can be related to stress.
• Low self-esteem. The person may speak poorly about him or herself, be unable to make eye contact, appear anxious, depressed and withdrawn.
• Isolation. The person will often have no access to money, telephone, car, family and friends, a job or school.
• They might frequently be late or absent from work or leave social engagements early because their partner "is waiting."
• Their partner may be critical in front of them, making remarks to make them feel uncomfortable.

Myth 1: A battered spouse can always leave.

Fact: A woman is 75% more likely to be murdered when she attempts to leave or has successfully left an abusive relationship, compared to when she stays.

Myth 2: Drinking causes battering behavior.

Fact: Many men who batter do not drink and many alcoholics do not beat their wives. Domestic violence is caused by a person choosing to use violence.

Fact: Only 7% to 14% of battered women have alcohol abuse problems; the same percentage as is found in the general female population.

Myth 3: Batterers are violent in all their relationships.

Fact: Only 10%-15% of batterers are violent outside the home or relationship.

Myth 4: Domestic violence only affects lower class, minority, and uneducated people with few social or job skills and no religious beliefs.

Fact: Violence will occur at least once in two-thirds of all marriages in the U.S.

For the National Domestic Violence Hotline call:
1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

Source: Procter, B. (1999, Spring). What is Domestic Violence?  Poverty At Issue, University Outreach & Extension Publication.