Domestic Violence
What is domestic violence? Why does it happen? How can it be stopped?
Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behvior physically, emotionally, economically, or in other ways. It is usually used by one partner in a relationship to gain power and control over the other partner. Physical abuse can include hitting, shoving, punching, pinching, and other ways of physically hurting a person. Emotional abuse includes criticism, getting in the way of relationships with children or other family members, name-calling, etc. Economic abuse includes not allowing a partner access to a bank account, prohibiting a partner from going to work or school, and other ways of making a partner feel financially dependent.
Domestic violence takes place because a partner wants to take control. They believe that their feelings and thoguhts should be the priority in a relationship and want to limit their partner's life. Many times people learn to be abusive by watching someone do it. They might observe abuse in their own families in their childhood or learn it from friends.
Contact an organization to get help if you are a victim of dometic violence. If you think someone is a victim of domestic violence, you should report it. Become informed about domestic violence and its signs so you can help others who may want to escape.
There are many organiztions that work towards helping people who are victims of domestic violence. One such organiztion is the National Domestic Violence Hotline. They are available to call or chat 24/7.