Domestic violence is a horrific crime that effects people throughout the world. Thousands die every year in silence as they hide behind broken bones, bruises, and closed doors. Your race, occupation, or location don’t matter; domestic violence is found in the dirtiest of homes and richest of mansions. The only way to end abuse is to stop the reoccurring cycle from parent to child. Here are 21 things you need to know about domestic violence so you can be better-educated on the hidden crimes that plague the world.
1. Every minute, 24 people experience domestic violence.
While some people experience abuse in a single moment, many are subject to it daily. Every minute that passes, more and more people are left hurt.
2. One in four women will experience domestic violence.
Women between the ages of 20 and 24 are at the highest for risk of abuse, but that doesn’t mean older or younger women are safe. Throughout a woman’s life, she could at any time begin a relationship with an abusive partner.
3. Women are more likely to be killed than men.
This could be because of the typical size difference between men and women, or it could be the mentality of an abuser: Women are less likely to murder than men are.
4. One in three female homicide victims dies at the hands of their partner.
When people hear about murders, they often picture strangers and break-ins, but most murder victims know their killer. Those who were killed by a spouse were almost always abused by the spouse first.
5. Children in the home are at risk for abuse.
When violence is present in a home, children frequently become thrown into the mix. Between 30% and 60% of children exposed to domestic violence are either abused or neglected, too.
6. Many children intervene.
Children don’t want to watch Mom or Dad be repeatedly hurt, and they frequently step in to help or stop the crime. In fact, children make one of ten domestic violence calls.
7. Domestic violence typically happens at home.
In a way to keep the abuse hidden, partners will only abuse behind closed doors. It is estimated that 60% of domestic violence incidents occur at home, with the highest hours for abuse between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.
8. Pregnancy doesn’t stop the violence.
Women who were battered before pregnancy are often battered throughout their entire pregnancy. Miscarriages can be a devastating result of domestic violence, and 25% to 45% of abused women can expect to be continually battered during pregnancy.
9. It causes homelessness.
There are many reasons people become homeless, but domestic violence is the third-leading cause for homelessness. Most abused women are isolated, jobless, and have no support system to lean on when an abusive relationship ends.
10. It causes poor health.
Heart problems, headaches, low self-esteem, and depression are often found in victims. Repeated abuse can cause brain damage, fragile bones, and death.
11. The victim is socially isolated.
As a way to protect themselves, abusers strip their victims of friends, family, and careers. This makes it hard for victims to find the support to escape an unhealthy relationship.
2. Girls who witness domestic violence are at risk for it in the future.
When a mother becomes a victim, she teaches her children to be victims, too. Daughters grow up and accept unhealthy relationships as the norm.
13. People with lower income are three times more likely to be abused.
Most crime is found in lower-income homes, and domestic violence could be the initial cause. As children witness abuse, they struggle in school, become victims or abusers, and fall into a life of crime.
14. One of every three abused children becomes an abuser or victim as an adult.
Male children exposed to domestic violence are twice as likely to display abuse. It is how they are taught to handle emotions, disagreements, and frustrations.
15. For women between the ages of 15 and 44, domestic violence is the main cause of injury.
Women are strong, and it is shocking to have the number one cause of injury be domestic violence. It breaks my heart to think that women are being hurt more often by people they love than any other way.
16. There are more than twice the amount of animal shelters than battered women’s shelters.
I am all for protecting animals, but I hope the future reflects a number where battered women are receiving as much or more support than animals.
17. Men are victims of domestic abuse.
The focus is often on female victims, but let us not forget about the 15% that are men. They are often too embarrassed to speak out, and almost all cases are never reported. The number could be much higher than anyone suspects.
18. Battering usually escalates over time.
It is very rare that an act of violence is an isolated event. It almost always will happen again, and over time, the violence will become harsher and more frequent.
19. Children who witness abuse display emotional and behavioral problems.
Abuse doesn’t only affect the abused. Children are victims of it, too. Low self-esteem, depression, ADHD, poor communication skills, and struggles with school are frequently found in children who have witnessed domestic violence.
20. Women of all races experience abuse.
Whether you are white, black, Hispanic, or Asian, abuse is equally found in all races.
21. Domestic violence often goes unreported.
We can never know how many abuse cases there are when they frequently go unreported. It is our duty to help our neighbors find the courage to seek help and report abuse. It is never OK to hurt another individual, nor is it OK to allow an abuser to go free. Children are our future, and we must protect them from being exposed to violent behavior, and the only way to do this is by reporting domestic violence.
Recovery from Domestic Violence Trauma
Many victims of domestic violence suffer from PTSD and struggle to reconnect or trust others. Morningside Recovery offers many rehab programs specifically designed to help people in these situations. Some of our programs include:
We provide safe spaces for victims to open up about their abuse and learn to trust others again. Step out of the darkness and call Morningside Recovery today at 855-631-2135.
