The Facts about Domestic Violence

Photo courtesy of the National Crime Prevention Council, for review purposes only

As the specter of domestic violence once again rears its ugly head in national headlines and discussion forums, it again becomes important to review a few important facts about this very serious crime:

You can still be an abuser if you are:

1. Rich
2. Famous
3. Handsome or beautiful.
4. Have a solid reputation in your industry or community and are good at what you do professionally.
5. Have not been an abuser in past relationships.
6. Have lots of friends who may not know you as well as they think.
7. Have a good-humored and friendly persona.

Facts courtesy of the United Nations and the World Health Organization

You can still be an abuse victim if you are:

1. Not as popular, wealthy or well-known as your abuser.
2. So beautiful that it might strike jealousy in others.
3. Have, for that matter, any type of background or outward appearance.
4. Gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, transsexual, or asexual.
5. Younger or older than your partner.

You can still be aiding and abetting an abuser if you:

1. Shrug your shoulders and say it’s a personal issue. When someone allegedly does harm to another human being or animal it is a crime, not a personal issue. It is our business.
2. Continue to support this person’s business, products, or creative endeavors.
3. Automatically assume that because this person makes you happy in your heart and private parts, or if you enjoy their products or creative endeavors, they just can’t be an abuser.
4. Ignore photographic and material evidence, as well as the commentary of bystanders.
5. Imply that the victim said or did something to provoke or deserve their abuse.
6. Say, “This just can’t be true.” Because it can be, and it all too often is. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence:

• Every 9 seconds in the US, a woman is assaulted or beaten.
• On average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. During one year, this equates to more than 10 million women and men.
• 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have been victims of [some form of] physical violence by an intimate partner within their lifetime.
• 1 in 5 women and 1 in 7 men have been victims of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
• 1 in 7 women and 1 in 18 men have been stalked by an intimate partner during their lifetime to the point in which they felt very fearful or believed that they or someone close to them would be harmed or killed.
• On a typical day, there are more than 20,000 phone calls placed to domestic violence hotlines nationwide.
• Intimate partner violence accounts for 15% of all violent crime.
• Women between the ages of 18–24 are most commonly abused by an intimate partner.
• 19% of domestic violence involves a weapon.

On a totally unrelated side note, does anyone want my old copies of Don Juan Demarco, Annie Hall and Tess? Because if not, they go in the recycle bin in, like, 10 minutes, accompanied by a hearty middle finger salute.

If you or someone you know needs help, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1–800–799-SAFE.

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