Domestic violence awareness month

October, along with being the month of Halloween, is domestic violence awareness month. What exactly is domestic violence? Domestic violence can be defined as a pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner. This includes any physical, sexual, emotional, economic or psychological abuse. This?abuse can be?any behaviors that frighten, intimidate, terrorize, manipulate, hurt, blame, or?injure someone. Domestic violence is a serious issue, especially in teen couples. In most cases of domestic violence, girls are the victims. In fact, 85% of domestic violence victims are women. If you don?t think domestic violence is a prominent issue, consider this: One in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. In the US, an estimated 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner each year. Domestic violence can happen to anyone, regardless of age, race, gender, or sexual orientation. Domestic violence is not always so easy to recognize however. It?s important to be aware of the signs. Officer Jason Malterud said, ?Domestic violence is a crime between two people that have been involved in an intimate relationship. Domestic violence is about power and control over the other person. Education is the key to prevention. Understanding the dynamics of relationships helps identify when the relationship is starting to go bad.? Malterud also commented that ?a person experiencing domestic violence or knows someone who is can come and talk to an officer. If they are at school, the interventionist and school counselors are also good resources. The Longmont Police Department has a special unit that does nothing but investigate and help victims of domestic violence.?

According to thehotline.org, an online organization created to help inform people on the seriousness of domestic violence,

You may be in an emotionally abusive relationship if your partner:

• Calls you names, insults you or continually criticizes you.
• Does not trust you and acts jealous or possessive.
• Tries to isolate you from family or friends.
• Monitors where you go, who you call and who you spend time with.
• Does not want you to work.
• Controls finances or refuses to share money.
• Punishes you by withholding affection.
• Expects you to ask permission.
• Threatens to hurt you, the children, your family or your pets.
• Humiliates you in any way.

You may be in a physically abusive relationship if your partner has ever:

• Damaged property when angry (thrown objects, punched walls, kicked doors, etc.).
• Pushed, slapped, bitten, kicked or choked you.
• Abandoned you in a dangerous or unfamiliar place.
• Scared you by driving recklessly.
• Used a weapon to threaten or hurt you.
• Forced you to leave your home.
• Trapped you in your home or kept you from leaving.
• Prevented you from calling police or seeking medical attention.
• Hurt your children.
• Used physical force in sexual situations.

You may be in a sexually abusive relationship if your partner:

• Accuses you of cheating or is often jealous of your outside relationships.
• Wants you to dress in a sexual way.
• Insults you in sexual ways or calls you sexual names.
• Has ever forced or manipulated you into to having sex or performing sexual acts.
• Held you down during sex.
• Demanded sex when you were sick, tired or after beating you.
• Hurt you with weapons or objects during sex.
• Involved other people in sexual activities with you.
• Ignored your feelings regarding sex.

One of the major reasons domestic violence is such a big problem in today?s society is that cases of domestic violence go unreported. Domestic violence is one of the most chronically underreported crimes. Only approximately 25% of all physical assaults, 20% of all rapes, and 50% of all stalkings perpetuated against females by intimate partners are reported to the police. It is important to recognize the signs of a domestic violent relationship, and if you or someone you know may be in one, you must report it. Not reporting a case of domestic violence just makes the problem worse, so tell a parent, teacher, or police officer. If you need more help, dont hesitate to call:

The National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233

The National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673

The National Teen Dating Abuse Hotline: 1-866-331-9474

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Source: http://www.trojannews.com/?p=16739

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