THE HARD TRUTH: Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is the establishment of control and fear in a relationship through physical, sexual, emotional, and/or financial abuse. While they certainly want the abuse to stop, many choose to stay in abusive relationships because they do not want their relationship to end. Many often remain in or return to, abusive relationships because their partners threaten to harm them and their loved ones if they attempt to leave. Commonly, some choose to leave when they become convinced that their life is at risk or that their children are in danger.

Domestic violence hurts everyone. It crosses all boundaries of age, race, ethnicity, religion, economic background, physical ability, and sexual orientation. The damage to body and spirit inflicted by domestic violence has been linked to other societal problems such as homelessness, escalated suicide rates, crime, teen pregnancy, premature births, and miscarriages. Males raised in violent homes are more likely to behave violently in their future intimate relationships.

• According to the 2018 report on the killing of women and girls released by the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime, about 87,000 were killed worldwide in 2017, 58 percent of them victims of domestic or family violence.

• According to the NDV, On average, 24 people per minute are victims of rape, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner in the United States — more than 12 million women and men over the course of a year.

• 30 to 60% of perpetrators of intimate partner violence also abuse children in the household.

60%

HAVEN'T REPORTED TO THE POLICE

7%

DON'T TELL ANYONE ABOUT THE ABUSE

Domestic violence is not just a "family matter". The violence will not stop until men and women come together with a common condemnation of abuse and a promise that our children will learn through our words and actions that violence is never justified.

In The Catch A Falling Star Foundation's initiative to End Domestic Violence operates a 24-hour domestic and dating violence hotline. Calling +1 786-309-1045 can be the first step toward a safer life. If you are in an abusive relationship, please call to speak with an advocate. If you suspect that someone you know is living in an abusive relationship, please let her know that you are concerned for her safety and encourage her to contact us.

Services are free and calls are confidential.