What is domestic violence?

Domestic violence is physical and/or emotional abuse that happens between partners. The abuse may be hitting, shaking, unwanted sexual contact, threats, name-calling and more. The abuse usually happens more than once, and results in fear or control by the abuser. Domestic violence hurts everyone in the family.

The SafeChoice Domestic Violence Shelter offers temporary short-term shelter for women seeking safety from abusive relationships. The shelter supplies emergency food and clothing, as well as legal advocates, weekly domestic violence support groups, counseling, and referrals to community resources.

Shelter is provided on a space-available basis. Women and their children (males to age 17) are welcome. A phone screening takes place before admittance.

Myths, Facts and Statistics about Domestic Violence

Myth: Battering is only a momentary loss of temper.

Fact: Battering is the establishment of control and fear in a relationship through violence and other forms of abuse. The batterer uses a series of behaviors, including acts of violence, intimidation, threats, psychological abuse, isolation, etc., to coerce and to control the other person. The violence may not happen often, but it may remain as a hidden and constant terrorizing factor.

Myth: There isn't any real violence going on in my relationship; my partner has never bruised me or hit me with a closed fist.

Fact: Any unwanted touching is a form of violence. Forced affection, pinches, slaps, shoves, and other unwanted physical contact are violent acts.

Myth: I can't say there is any real violence in this relationship because my partner has never been physically abusive.

Fact: Any behavior that is used to control another person can be considered as violent. Verbal, emotional, and mental abuse are forms of violence that are as harmful as physical violence--and the effects are usually longer lasting.

Myth: Domestic violence does not affect many people.

Facts:

• In the U.S. a woman is beaten every 15 seconds.
• Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women between the ages of 15 and 44 in the U.S.--more than car accidents, muggings, and rapes combined.
• Battered women are more likely to suffer miscarriages and to give birth to babies with low birth weights.
• 63% of the young men between the ages of 11 and 20 who are serving time for homicide have killed their mother's abuser.

Myth: The term "domestic violence" refers to wife beating.

Facts:

• Because of this myth, many victims of domestic violence, especially men, are unwilling to report the abuse, believing they have no resources available to them. They may be isolated from friends and family, as well as embarrassed by a situation they feel they are responsible for themselves.
• Domestic violence can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, marital or social status, or religious preference.

Myths and facts were taken from YWCA Clark County's SafeChoice pamphlet "Love Shouldn't Hurt"