Domestic Violence Myths

Domestic Violence Myths >  Power & Control

Domestic violence is greatly misunderstood by the average person who has never experienced the violence or known anyone who has.

We often form our own opinions and ideas concerning domestic violence and most of the time we are wrong.

MYTH:  Domestic violence only occurs in poor urban areas.

FACT:  Women of all cultures, races, occupations, incomes, and ages are battered by husbands, lovers, boyfriends and partners.  One in four pregnant women has a history of partner abuse.

MYTH:  Domestic violence is a push, a slap, or a punch and does not produce serious injuries.

FACT:  Battered women are often severely injured and even murdered.  Between 22% and 35% of women who visit emergency rooms are there for injuries related to ongoing partner abuse.

MYTH:  It is easy for a battered woman to leave her abuser.

FACT:  Women who leave their abuser are at 75% greater risk of being killed by the abuser than those who stay.  Nationally, 50% of homeless women and children are on the street because of violence in their home.

MYTH:  Domestic violence does not affect children.

FACT:  Child abuse occurs in up to 70% of the homes where domestic violence occurs.  When a parent is victimized by domestic violence, children are abused at a rate 15 times the national average.

MYTH:  Batters who seek custody do so out of love for the children and a desire to be good parents.

FACT:  Custody litigation frequently becomes a vehicle whereby batterers attempt to extend their control and authority over the abused parent after separation.  Fathers who battered the mother are twice as likely to seek sole physical custody for their children than are non-violent fathers.

MYTH:  Drugs and alcohol cause the violence.

FACT:  Addictions are used as excuses to free the batterer from responsibility for the behavior.  This theory does not explain why the batterer uses violence, why he targets a woman for abuse, nor why he batters when sober.  The addictive batterer must be treated for two separate problems-his addiction and his violence.  He will not necessarily stop battering if he gains control over his addiction.

Source:  Kentucky Domestic Violence Association

Domestic Violence Help In Tennessee Cities

Tennessee Businesses Lose At Least $10 Million Per Year

In Paid Work Time Due To Domestic Violence Related Injuries!