Domestic Violence A Silent Crime BY KHADIJAH KELLY

Introduction  do·mes·tic vi·o·lence  noun  violent or aggressive behavior within the home, typically involving the violent abuse of a spouse or partner.  "police, social services, and voluntary agencies are working together to tackle domestic violence"

Types of Domestic Abuse  Physical Abuse: Hitting, slapping, shoving, grabbing, pinching, biting, hair pulling, etc are types of physical abuse  Sexual Abuse: Coercing or attempting to coerce any sexual contact or behavior without consent.  Emotional Abuse: Undermining an individual's sense of self-worth and/or self-esteem is abusive.  Economic Abuse: Is defined as making or attempting to make an individual financially dependent by maintaining total control over financial resources, withholding one's access to money, or forbidding one's attendance at school or employment.  Psychological Abuse: Elements of psychological abuse include - but are not limited to - causing fear by intimidation; threatening physical harm to self, partner, children, or partner's family or friends; destruction of pets and property; and forcing isolation from family, friends, or school and/or work.

Statistics  On average, 24 people per minute are victims of rape, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner in the United States — more than 12 million women and men over the course of a year.  Nearly 3 in 10 women (29%) and 1 in 10 men (10%) in the US have experienced rape, physical violence and/or stalking by a partner and report a related impact on their functioning  1 in 4 women (24.3%) and 1 in 7 men (13.8%) aged 18 and older in the United States have been the victim of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime

Warning Signs  People who are being abused may:  Seem afraid or anxious to please their partner  Go along with everything their partner says and does  Check in often with their partner to report where they are and what they’re doing  Receive frequent, harassing phone calls from their partner  Have frequent injuries, with the excuse of “accidents”  Frequently miss work, school, or social occasions, without explanation  Dress in clothing designed to hide bruises or scars (e.g. wearing long sleeves in the summer or sunglasses indoors)  Be restricted from seeing family and friends  Rarely go out in public without their partner  Show major personality changes (e.g. an outgoing person becomes withdrawn)  Be depressed, anxious, or suicidal

Get Involved Most domestic violence incidents are never reported. Help change the facts. Speak up, speak out, and make a difference for victims of domestic violence. You can make a difference Give victims of domestic violence the support they deserve. Donate Volunteer Be a friend National Hotline: