Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women - surpassing rape, mugging, and auto accidents combined. Here are the statistics on domestic violence in America:

• Every 9 seconds a woman is beaten in America.

• At least two million women a year are assaulted by husbands or boyfriends. 25-45% of these women are battered during pregnancy.

• 3-4 million women will be physically battered at least once in their lifetimes.

• 20% of emergency room visits by women are for injuries caused by battering.

• 45-75% of men who batter women also batter children; spouse abuse is the single most identifiable risk factor for predicting child abuse.

• Ten women are killed every day in domestic violence.

• 3 out of 4 women murdered are killed by their husbands.

The Cycle of Abuse

Domestic violence predictably follows three phases:

• Phase One: the tension builds. The offender belittles and criticizes the victim until he or she is emotionally broken.

• Phase Two: the tension peaks and the offender attacks. This acute battering incident releases the tension, and leads into phase three.

• Phase Three: This phase is marked by kind, contrite, loving behavior. Commonly, the offender may promise that the assaults will never happen again. Without treatment, this is not true. It's only a matter of time before phase one kicks in all over again. If you are the victim of domestic violence, and your partner is not following through with treatment, y our safety can best be guaranteed if you escape from the situation.

Escape Plan

• Avoid arguments in spaces hard to escape from.

• Leave money, car keys, clothing and copies of documents with someone you trust.

• Keep change with you at all times.

• Rehearse an escape plan with your children, including a meeting place.

• Teach children to call 9-1-1.

• If you have a restraining order, keep copies at multiple locations. Always keep a copy with you; keep a copy in the car; give your children copies. Give copies to teachers and police, with a photo of the offender.

• Memorize the National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE and/or know how to reach local resources.