| What Is Domestic Violence? |
Domestic violence is the power and control of one partner over another in a dating, marital or live-in relationship.
Domestic violence also refers to a pattern of violent and coercive behavior exercised by one adult in an intimate relationship over another. It is not marital conflict, mutual abuse, a lovers quarrel, or a private family matter. It may consist of repeated, severe beatings or more subtle forms of abuse, including economic entrapment, psychological pressures, or physical isolation. |
Who Are The Victims Of Domestic Violence? |
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, 95% of domestic violence victims in America are women, although men may also be victims. |
| How do I know if someone is a victim of domestic violence? |
Among the more obvious signs of domestic violence is evidence of frequent bruises, broken bones and physical attacks. Often less obvious is emotional abuse, as evidenced by harassment, stalking and excessively possessive, controlling or jealous behavior, which are also signs of domestic violence.
Another warning sign is isolation: Victims of domestic violence are often cut off from systems of support by their batterers, becoming distant from friends, relatives or neighbors.
Women who are being battered are as different from each other as non-battered women. They come from all walks of life, all races, all educational backgrounds and all religions. A battered woman might be the vice-president of your local bank, your child's Sunday school teacher, your beautician or dentist. Anyone experiencing any of the patterns of abuse listed above is a victim of domestic violence. |
What can I do to help someone in an abusive or violent relationship? |
Listen to the victim and believe her. Tell her that the abuse is not her fault, and is not God's will. Tell her she is not alone and that help is available. Let her know that without intervention, abuse often escalates in frequency and severity over time. Seek expert assistance. Refer her only to specialized domestic violence counseling programs, not to couples counseling. Help her find a shelter, a safe home or advocacy resources to offer her protection. Suggesting that she merely return home places her and her children in real danger. Hold the abuser accountable. Don't minimize his abusive behavior. Support him in seeking specialized batterers counseling to help change his behavior. Continue to hold him accountable and to support and protect the victim even after he has begun a counseling program. If reconciliation is to occur, it can be considered only after the above steps have taken place. |
States that fail to prevent and prosecute domestic violence send a clear message to all women that the violence against them is of no concern to society.
Write Your State Senators |
| Through education and public awareness we can stop the epidemic of domestic violence in Tennessee. The 642,000 Tennessee women who suffer from domestic violence injuries need our help! |
Join Our National Domestic Violence Billboard Campaign!
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If You Are In
Immediate Danger
Dial 911
Resources in Tennessee
1-800-356-6767
National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-7233
Every 9 Seconds
A Woman Suffers From Domestic Violence!
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Insurance Companies Are Getting Involved! |
We Need Every Licensed Insurance Agent In This Country To Get Behind The Fight
Against Domestic Violence –
We’re Starting With Tennessee!
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No Woman Deserves To Be Physically, Sexually or Emotionally Abused In Her Own Home, Period! |
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