Middle Way House

24-Hour Crisis Line
(812) 336-0846

A Domestic Violence Program and Rape Crisis Center

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Implementing and sustaining meaningful alternatives to living with violence

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About Domestic Abuse

What is Domestic Abuse?

Domestic violence is a learned pattern of behaviors used by one person in a relationship to control the other person. The partners may be married or not married, gay or lesbian, living together, separated or dating.

Examples of Domestic Violence:

  • emotional abuse through mind games, name-calling, or put-downs

  • isolation from family or friends

  • economic abuse by withholding money or being prevented from getting or holding a job

  • actual or threatened physical harm

  • sexual assault

  • stalking

  • intimidation

The violence can be criminal and includes physical assault (hitting, pushing, shoving, etc.), sexual abuse (unwanted, forced sexual activity), and stalking. Although emotional, psychological and financial abuse are not criminal behaviors, they are forms of domestic violence and can lead to criminal abuse.

The violence takes many forms and can happen all the time or once in a while. An important step to help yourself or someone you know in preventing or stopping violence is recognizing the warning signs listed on the "Violence Wheel".

Anyone can be a victim of domestic violence...young, old, rich, poor, black, white, professional, unemployed. There is no typical profile of domestic violence victims except that they are usually female. Children living in homes where a mother is abused are more likely to be abused themselves. Even if they are not, children who witness abuse are victims.

If you are in an abusive situation, REMEMBER:

  • You are not alone.

  • You are not to blame.

  • And, you can get help.

Test your knowledge and take the Domestic Violence Quiz.

 

  • Domestic violence affects only a small number of people.

FALSE: According to the FBI, 1 out of every 4 women is a victim of domestic violence at least once in her lifetime. In 55% of the cases where men are assaulting their partners, they are also assaulting their children. The battered mother may be suffering from such physical and psychological injuries that she cannot meet the needs of her children appropriately.

  • Battering is just a momentary loss of temper.

FALSE:The Surgeon General of the United States reports that 1 out of 5 women battered by their partners have been victimized over and over again by the same person. The American Medical Association defines domestic violence as an ongoing, debilitating experience of physical, psychological, and/or sexual abuse.

  • Domestic violence does not produce serious injuries.

FALSE: The leading cause of injury for women age 15 to 44 is domestic violence. The Michigan State Police statistics show that a woman is killed by a partner or former partner every 5 days in Michigan.

  • Leaving an abusive relationship is easy.

FALSE: A study by the United States Department of Justice states that the most dangerous time for a woman who is being battered is when she leaves. In Michigan, 75% of the women who are killed by their partners are murdered after the relationship is over or as it ends.

  • Battered women always stay in violent relationships.

FALSE: Many battered women do leave their abusers permanently and succeed in building a life free of violence. Almost all battered women leave at least once.

  • Only poor and minority groups are victims of domestic violence.

FALSE: People of all socio-economic classes, races, religions, ethnic backgrounds, and sexual orientations can be victims of domestic violence.

  • Only married women are victims of domestic violence.

FALSE: People who are dating, separated, living together, divorced, have a child in common and/or are married, can be abused. Domestic violence can occur in any of these relationships.

  • Women are just as violent as men.

FALSE: In 97% of domestic assaults, the man is the perpetrator of the violence.

 

 

24 Hour Crisis Line: (812) 336-0846 ~ Administrative Office: (812) 333-7404
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 95, Bloomington, IN 47402

Middleway House is a United Way Agency  MWH is a United Way agency.