 Domestic Abuse, also known as Intimate Partner Violence, is abuse that occurs between two people in a close relationship.  “Intimate Partner” is used to describe current and former spouses, as well as those you have dated.  Intimate Partner Violence can be a single episode of violence or ongoing violence.

 According to the Utah Department of Health:  In 2011, 32% of all Utah homicides were related to domestic-violence.  In Utah, more than 169,000 women experience intimate partner related physical assaults and rapes each year.  39% of women in Utah who reported domestic violence said the perpetrator was their husband or live-in partner. 25% said it was a former partner.  In Utah, divorced or separated women report the highest percent of intimate partner violence (42%).  In Utah, there is approximately 1 intimate-partner related homicide every 33 days.  In Utah, 44% of intimate partner related homicide victims were killed by a spouse.  1 in 3 adult homicides are domestic violence homicides.  In 2011, more than 3,400 men, women, and children entered shelters to escape domestic violence.  In 2008, 14.2% of women (ages 18 and older) reported that an intimate partner had ever hit, slapped, pushed, kicked, or hurt them in some way. health.utah.gov/vipp/domesticviolence/overview.html 4

 According To the Department of Health, The Clark County Prosecuting Attorney, and the Federal Bureau of Investigations:  Approximately 4.8 million women experience intimate partner assaults and rapes each year.  Nationally, the estimated cost of medical care, mental health services, and lost productivity due to domestic violence exceeds $5.8 billion annually.  Domestic Violence is the leading cause of injury to women between the ages of 18 and 44 (more than car accidents, muggings, and rapes combined).  In the U.S., 1 woman is beaten by her intimate partner every 15 seconds.  1 in every 4 women will experience intimate partner violence in her lifetime.  The U.S. Department of Justice estimates that 95% of domestic violence victims are women.  35% of all Emergency Room calls are a result of domestic abuse.  Of those who abuse their partners, over 65% will also abuse children.  Each day, 4 women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends.  Each day, 3 children die as a result of abuse.  Domestic violence occurs to all types of women regardless of income, age, race, education, or belief system.  Domestic violence is rarely a single event. Domestic violence often becomes more frequent over time, and more severe.

REMEMBER:  You are not to blame  You are not the cause  You deserve to be treated with respect  You deserve a safe & happy life  Your children deserve a safe & happy life  You are not alone

 If you have a car, always keep a sufficient amount of gas in your fuel tank.  Stash emergency cash, clothing, and important phone numbers and any documents in a safe place.  Have an escape plan and practice your plan often. If you have children, involve your children in practicing your escape plan as well.  List and memorize the numbers to the domestic violence hot line, emergency contacts, and local shelters.

 The National Domestic Hotline  Local Health Departments  Shelters  Job Training Services  Legal Services  Child Care Services  Mental Health Services  Support Groups  Health-Related Services  Educational Opportunities  Financial Assistance

 Seriously consider obtaining A restraining order.  Keep your new location a secret  Apply to your state’s address confidentiality program  Get an unlisted telephone number  Use a post office box rather than your physical address  Close any financial accounts, especially those shared with your abuser, and reopen accounts at a different financial institution  Change your normal route when going to work  Avoid places your abuser knows he may be able to locate you  Find new locations to shop and run errands  If you have appointments your abuser knows about, immediately change or cancel them  Always carry a cell phone with you in case you spot your abuser or your abuser spots you

It’s perfectly normal to have faith that your partner will change. Unfortunately, abusers suffer from emotional and psychological problems that need professional treatment. But even with professional treatment, most abusers continue to be violent, abusive and controlling. You cannot change or help your abuser. It is not your responsibility to “fix” his or her problems. If you stay in an abusive relationship, you only reinforce and enable abusive behavior. By staying, you’re perpetuating the problem. An abusers ultimate goal is to stay in control and keep you from leaving. It’s important to not allow fear of the unknown keep you in a dangerous and unhealthy situation. There is a way out, and there are so many people willing to help.