Domestic violence is the use of power and control amongst people who are in some sort of relationship (examples: immediate family, roommates, boyfriend/girlfriend, spouses/ex-spouses, etc.). Domestic violence is not only physical abuse (punching, pushing, slapping, hitting, choking, etc.) but also isolation from family and friends, as well as verbal, emotional and financial abuse.

The abuser makes their partner fear them and forces their partner to do things that she/he does not want to do. In most cases, the abusive will typically worsen over time.

Domestic violence can happen to anyone, however, the majority of domestic violence survivors are women. Domestic violence occurs in all socio-economic classes, racial and ethnic groups, age groups, religious affiliations, sexual orientations, and occupational or educational backgrounds. While domestic violence survivors may come from any socio-economic background, survivors with fewer financial resources tend to utilize domestic violence service organizations more often than higher income persons because of their need for resources.

Definitions of Domestic Violence which is also called interpersonal violence:

      Battering:  Abusive behavior between adults in an intimate, sexual or peer, and usually cohabiting relationship.

      Four Forms of Battering:  

      Physical Battering:  Wide range of behaviors which include aggressive behavior done by the abuser to the victim’s body.  For example:  pushing, pinching, spitting, kicking, hitting, pounding, choking, burning, pulling hair, stabbing, shooting, clubbing, etc.

      Sexual Battering:  Involves physical acts against the victim’s body.  For example:  unwanted pinching of breast, buttocks, genitals, etc.; sexual activity accompanied by physical assaults; forced sexual activity; forcing sexual activity with a third person.

            Psychological Battering:  No contact with the victim’s body.  Behaviors can include:  

                + threats of suicide
                + violence
                + deportation
                + threats associated with child custody
                + forcing victim to do degrading things
                + fights
                + controlling victim’s activities (examples: sleep, eating habits, social relationships, access to money)
                + constant attacks on victim’s self-esteem.

Destruction of property or pets:  No contact with victim’s body, but the violence is meant to emotionally abuse or scare the victim.   For example: destroying objects during arguments; breaking victim’s favorite property; attacks on victim’s pets.

Effects of Battering Over Time:

    * Low self-esteem
    * Depression
    * Injuries
    * Permanent physical injury
    * Isolation from family and/or friends
    * DEATH

What do you do if you are abused?

• Get to a safe place and call the police
• Press charges
  • Get police reports and hospital records
  • maintain photos of injuries and incidences of abuse along with any evidence
  • File for victim's compensation
• Call Friend to Friend at 910-947-3333
• Come to our office and we can help fill out papers for a Protective Order
• Let us help you rebuild your life
• Join our support groups to receive education, awareness and support
• get professional counseling to help you heal