Welcome to our webpage discussing the topic of Domestic Violence. This page will discuss the topic of Domestic Violence, and how it is a serious issue affecting not only the physical health of an individual but also the psychological aspect as well. Some resources available for helping those who are victims of domestic violence will also be discussed as well.
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, domestic violence is defined as "the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior as part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another" (NCADV, 2020, pg. 1). This behavior is seen across many different types of cultures and has many lasting affects that can hinder someone's ability to live life to the fullest.
National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233 or TTY 1−800−787−3224.
“NCADV: National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.” The Nation's Leading Grassroots Voice on Domestic Violence, NCADV, 2020, http://www.ncadv.org/.
Domestic and Family Violence Statistics. Australia, 2019
Domestic Violence can happen to anyone, either male or female, regardless of one's sexual preferences or social status. In general, females are more likely to experience domestic violence but men themselves are still affected. Although the percentages have quite a large gap, this terrible and unfortunate event can affect any and everyone, making it that much more important to identify the signs of domestic violence and the importance of offering services to help those in need.
There are many different signs of domestic abuse and some of them may not be so easy to spot while others are quite obvious. In order to help those who are experiencing such an incident, knowing what to look for is the first major step in that direction. According to National Domestic Violence Hotline, which is a website based resource that helps those experiencing DV or those who have witnessed it report the crime, states that some common signs of DV include:
“Warning Signs of Abuse.” The Hotline, National Domestic Violence Hotline, 3 Feb. 2022, https://www.thehotline.org/identify-abuse/domestic-abuse-warning-signs/.
These signs can vary from one victim to another, and there are many more than just these. The important thing to remember is that no matter the sign, victims of DV tend to trend towards having their sense of being their own individual stripped away from them. The excessive need for control from their partner often overrides any pleads of help from their partners. Knowing and reporting these signs can help eliminate these experiences and even save some peoples' lives.
If you spot someone who you may believe is a suspect of domestic violence or spot a domestic abuser themselves, there are many different resources you can use to report the findings. Remember, reporting anything you suspect could not only help save that person's life, but it could potentially stop future victims from being targeted as well.
The numbers below are anonymous phone lines that can be called or messaged when someone is suspected to be a victim of abuse. These hotlines and institutions have been protecting those who have been victims of DV for quite a long time and they are available 24/7 for those who need them. If you or someone you know is experiencing DV, do not hesitate to reach out. Not only could your freedom be at stake, but your life could be as well.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
1-800-787-3224 (TTY)
Advocates are also available to chat 24/7.
National Center for Victims of Crime
1-855-4-VICTIM (1-855-484-2846)
Reporting these cases can rase a lot of worries from either the victims themselves or the one's reporting the crime. For any number of reasons such as retaliation against the victim's loved ones or the victims themselves, to the victims not wanting to get their partner in trouble or taken away, a large majority of cases go un-reported. The National Crime Victimization Survey states that "fifty two percent of people who experienced domestic violence reported the crime..." (2021, para. 4). While the majority of cases are reported (by a slim margin), that leaves a staggering 48 percent of cases being neglected for any number of reasons. That is a tremendous number of those who are still suffering from such an act. Every life matters and if a case is suspected, the need to report it should take precedence. Reporting is the first step in the process of hopefully getting oneself out of a toxic situation.