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THE FACTS

Our Fact Sheet (pdf)

Facts on Battering
  • Battering of women is the most underreported crime in America.
  • 3 to 4 million American women are battered each year.
  • 95% of all spouse abuse cases are women who are hurt by men.
  • Battering occurs among people of all races.
  • A battering incident is rarely an isolated event.
  • Battering tends to increase and become more violent over time.
  • Many batterers learned violent behavior growing up in an abusive family.
and Pregnancy:
  • Battering may start or become worse during pregnancy.
  • Battering may lead to miscarriage.
  • Battering may lead to alcohol or drug abuse
    (a form of abuse to the child).
  • 25-45% of all women who are battered are pattered during pregnancy.
  • Battering during pregnancy may be an indication of what life holds in store for the unborn child.
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    Effects Of Battering Over Time On:

    WOMEN: Isolation from others • Low self-esteem, depression • Increased alcohol or drug abuse Emotional problems, illness • Pain and injuries • Permanent physical damage • Death.

    CHILDREN: Emotional problems, illness • Increased fears, anger • Increased risk of abuse, injuries, and death • Repetition of abuse behavior.

    MEN: Increased belief that power and control are achieved by violence • Increase in violent behavior • Increased contact with law enforcement • Increased emotional problems • Decreased self-esteem.

    SOCIETY: Increase in crime • Increase in legal, police, medical and counseling costs. Cost of prison. Perpetuation of cycle of violence • Perpetuation of myths of inequality of women and men • Decrease in quality of life.

    WHAT IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE?

    DEFINITION:  Domestic violence is the mistreatment of one family member by another.  Most often perpetrators of abuse and battering are: a spouse, an ex-spouse, boyfriend or lover.  Most often victims of abuse are women and children.  The abuse can be physical, sexual, verbal, emotional and psychological.

     TYPES OF ABUSE
    Physical Abuse Sexual Abuse Emotional Abuse
    • pushed, shoved • raped / incest • neglected a family member with inadequate physical or emotional care
    • kicked • accused partner of affairs/bragged about your affairs • abused pets to hurt a family member
    • dragged • treated others as sex objects • tried to frighten and intimidate family members
    • held down • forced children to watch sex acts • threatened, harassed
    • cut • told partner their body was disgusting/they were inadequate in bed • controlled the money/refused to share money
    • slapped, poked • wanted sex after abuse • ridiculed, insulted, humiliated, called names
    • pulled hair • forced pregnancy • jealous of friends and social acquaintances
    • restrained • beaten if refused sex • kept a family member isolated from other friends and family
    • twisted arm • brought other women home • ignored, withheld affection or approval
    • squeezed • criticized partners appearance • not allowed to go to school or work
    • tripped • made constant sexual demands

    • spent money on drugs / alcohol
    • choked • forced to have sex with others • criticized, put down partner
    • pinched • withheld sex • humiliated partner in private or public
    • thrown down stairs • forced cohabitation • took car keys or money away from partner
    • hit, punched • insisted on unwanted and uncomfortable touching • regularly threatened to leave partner or told partner to leave
    • spit at • forced sadistic/violent sexual acts • threatened to hurt partner or partner's family
    • burned • made demeaning sexually suggestive remarks • destroyed furniture, punched holes in walls, broke appliances
    • used/ threatened with a gun, knife or other weapon • forced family members to see pornographic materials

     
    • grabbed

     

     
    • thrown objects

     

     
    • locked in the house

     

     
    • kidnapped

     

     
    • pushed out of the car

     

     
    • abandoned in dangerous places

     

     
    • suffocated

     

     
    • banged head on wall  

     
    • bent fingers backward

     

     
    • bit

     

     
    • locked out a household member  

     
    • refused to help a sick or injured household member  

     

    Persons who are abusive may also: "Solve" problems only by using force, blame others for their behavior, talk about getting even, play with weapons, abuse alcohol and drugs, be obsessed with power over and controlling others.

    BATTERING
    HURTS
    EVERYBODY

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

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