By Rita Hess
Think domestic violence doesn't pertain to you? Think again.
If you're a woman, you'll be interested to learn that over 20% of all female victims are abused by a current or former spouse. Will you be a statistic someday?
If you're a man, you probably have a mother, daughter, sister, or female co-worker. Do you know what goes on behind closed doors in their homes?
Domestic violence knows few boundaries. It happens in all races, religions, and age groups, but it occurs mainly against women in the form of psychological/emotional abuse, threatened or actual physical or sexual violence. Sadly, about half of all children whose mothers are abused are also victims.
Females often feel a sense of responsibility for or shame about their situation, which leads to low self-esteem, depression, and suicidal tendencies. Few tell anyone, and they become good at hiding the evidence or fabricating believable stories about how their injuries happened.
Women who are financially dependent on their abusive boyfriend or husband are reluctant to telephone police, as they don't think they can support themselves without him. Some fear the man will be thrown in jail; others fear he won't.
If you are aware of a domestic violence situation, encourage those involved to get help. Your health care provider can recommend sources of counseling in your community that are appropriate for the abuser and the victim.
For more information, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-7233
*SOURCE: Department of Justice Violence Against Women Office
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/vawo/statistics.htm
March 2002