Definitions
dependence - not being able to live and move on without someone
domestic violence - physical, sexual, emotional, and psychological abuse against an intimate partner
Warning Signs
- Feeling drained around them
- Lying/lack of trust/unreliability
- Hostile attitude towards you (especially if it’s reoccurring)
- Dependency
- Judgement/belittling/disrespect
- Lack of communication/avoidance
- You have no free will/control
- Unstable (cycle of feeling hurt, then making up, and getting hurt again)
- Selflessness/feeling unworthy
- Don’t ever feel sure of yourself
- Power imbalance (age differences, career/income, fame, privilages)
Impacts of Abuse
Physical
- Physical injuries
- Long-term health problems
- Death
- Unwanted pregnancy
- Unsafe abortion
- Transmition of STDs
- Pregnancy complications
- Vaginal bleeding
- Urinary and pelvic infections
- Sexual dysfunction
Mental
- Depression
- Sleeping and eating disorders
- Stress and anxiety disorders
- Self-harm/suicide
- Poor self-esteem
- Alcohol/substance abuse
- Choosing abusive partners later in life
- Lower rates of contraceotive use
Statistics
- More than 10 million adults experience domestic violence annually
- On a typical day, domestic violence hotlines receive over 19,000 calls
- 1 in 3 women (35.6%) and 1 in 4 men (28.5%) report having experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime
- 1 in 5 female victims and 1 in 20 male victims need medical care
- 1 in 5 female victims and 1 in 9 male victims need legal services
- Intimate partner violence is most common against women between the ages of 18-24
- Out of every 1,000 sexual assualts, 310 are reported to police, 50 reports lead to arrest, 28 cases will lead to felony conviction, and 25 perpetrators will be incarcerated
- College-age female students report 20% of assaults, college-age female non-students report 32%, the elderly report 28%, female military members report 43%, and male military members report 10%
How to Help Someone in an Abusive Relationship
- Set up safe safe and confidential times to talk
- Let them know you’re there for them
- Help in any way you can
- Offer help from organizations or hotlines
- Help them make a safety plan
- Believe them, and support them
Abuse Hotlines:
Safe Connections Crisis Helpline
(314) 531-2003
National Domestic Violence Hotline
(800) 799-SAFE (7233)
National Sexual Assault Hotline
(800) 656-HOPE (4673)
National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline
(866) 331-9474
Sources
35 Signs You’re in a Toxic Business Relationship
domestic_violence-2020080709350855.pdf
20 Alarming Domestic Violence Statistics - Social Solutions
The Criminal Justice System: Statistics | RAINN
Domestic violence in Australia—an overview of the issues *I used this for the definition of domestic abuse
How to Help a Friend or Loved One Who is Being Abused - Safe Connections
WHO_RHR_12.43_eng.pdf;jsessionid=360DF75FB5B6AA1361563852D9A93CA6