Understanding Family Violence
Family Violence is often referred to in terms of spouse abuse, wife beating or battering, but violence can be committed by a male, female or teenager in a dating relationship. If you are pushed, punched, slapped, choked, forced into sexual activity or threatened, you are a victim of family/dating violence. We think that you should know that:
- Family violence is a CRIME!
- Family violence occurs among all races, ages and religions. It happens in all economic and educational levels.
- Researchers estimated that four million women are beaten each year in our nation.
- Battering is rarely an isolated occurrence. It usually becomes more serious with the passage of time and also may increase in frequency.
- Thirty percent of the women murdered in this country die at the hands of their husbands, ex-husbands or boyfriends.
- Attacks by husbands or wives result in more injuries that require medical attention than rape, auto accidents and muggings combined.
- An estimated 549 women become victims of assault every hour in this country - resulting in one death every three hours.
Unfortunately, the abuse does not confine its devastating effects to the women alone. Children also become victims. The emotional trauma they suffer may manifest itself in terms of low self-esteem, depression, withdrawal and isolation, anger and acting-out behaviors. We must remember that the suffering is no less real for children of family violence than for adult victims.
Facts and Effects
- Domestic violence is the single most unreported crime in the U.S.
- Battering is the #1 crime and cause of injury to women in the U.S., with three to four million women being battered each year.
- 95% of all spouse abuse cases are women who are hurt by men. Note: Males rarely report spousal/dating abuse, however it does occur.
- Battering occurs among people of all races.
- Battering tends to increase and become more violent over time.
- Many batterers have learned violent behavior because they grew up in an abusive family.
- 63% of boys from 11-20 years of age serving time for homicide killed their mother's abuser
Battering and Pregnancy:
- Battering may start or become worse during pregnancy - 25% - 45% of battered women are abused during pregnancy.
- Battering during pregnancy is the #1 cause of birth defects and may lead to miscarriage.
- Battering may lead to alcohol or drug abuse (a form of abuse to the child)
- Pregnant women in battering relationships have increase risk of low birth weight infants.
- Battering during pregnancy may be an indication of what life holds in store for the unborn child.
Effects of Battering Over Time:
THE ABUSED: Isolation from others; low self-esteem; depression; increased alcohol or drug abuse; emotional problems and illness; pain and injuries; permanent physical damage; death
CHILDREN: Emotional problems and illness; increased fears and anger; increased risk of abuse, injuries and death; repetition of abuse behavior.
Contact Atascosa Family Crisis Center, Inc. today at 830-569-2001, Office: 830-281-2001 or Toll-free: 877-569-2001, or for more information about our services, bill of rights and signs to look for, steps to save lives, safety plan, checklist, sexual assault and rape risk reduction, or links.
