• What is Domestic Violence?

• Who are the victims?

• How to recognize Domestic Violence?

• If you are being abused, what can you do?

• If you need immediate help?

• How can you help?

• Facts

 

What is Domestic Violence?
When spouses, intimate partners, or dates use physical violence, threats, emotional abuse, harassment, or stalking to control the behavior of their partners, they are committing domestic violence.

It is against the law to hit or abuse another person.  In Illinois, under the Illinois Domestic Violence Act (IDVA), Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), and Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) protection and assistance are available to victims of domestic violence.

 

Who are the victims?
Any one can be a victim! Victims can be of any age, sex, race, culture, religion, education, employment, or marital status. Although both men and women can be abused, most victims are women. Children in homes where there is domestic violence are more likely to be abused and/or neglected.

 

How to recognize Domestic Violence?
Signs of Domestic Violence:

• Hit, kicked, shoved or threatened with violence.

• Feel that you can not make personal choices about time, clothes, etc

• Accused by your partner about things you have never done

• Called names, insulted, or put down by your partner

•  Forced to submit to sexual intercourse or engage in sexual acts against your will

• Forced to limit your time with your family and friends because of your partner’s demands

• Forced to accept your partner’s decisions because you are afraid of ensuing anger 

 

If you are abused, what can you do?

• Talk with somebody you trust: a friend, a relative, or a colleague.

•  Put together an "emergency kit" of things you would need if you had to leave   suddenly, such as identification, medicine, keys, and money.

•  Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at (800) 799-SAFE (799-7233) to find  out about domestic violence shelters and programs in your area.

•  Call 9-1-1 if you are in danger.

•  Remember that you are the expert about your own life. Don't let anyone talk you into doing something that's not right for you.

 

If you need Immediate Help

• 1-800-799-SAFE, 1-800-787-3224
  National Domestic Violence Hotline

• 1-800-717-0757
  Apna Ghar - Crisis Line (Illinois)

• 1-773-334-4663
  Apna Ghar - Crisis Line (Out of State)
• 1-773-278-4566 
  Chicago Abused Women Coalition. 24-Hour Hot Line

 

 How can you help?

• Know the facts. Learn more about domestic violence. 

• Spread the word. Educate family members, neighbors, colleagues, anyone about the issue.

• Promote respect and dignity for all people, regardless of their gender, class, race, sexual orientation or physical ability.

 

Facts

• Between 3 and 4 million women are battered each year. 85-95% of all domestic violence victims are female (American Institute on Domestic Violence -http://www.aidv-usa.com/Statistics.htm. Retrieved 12/03/02.)

• Women age 20 - 34 endure the highest rates of domestic violence (American Institute on Domestic Violence -http://www.aidv-usa.com/Statistics.htm. Retrieved 12/03/02.)

• Nearly 2 in 3 female victims of violence were related to or knew their attacker (Ronet Bachman Ph.D., U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Statistics, "Violence Against Women: A National Crime Victimization Survey Report," January 1994, p. iii.)

• Almost 6 times as many women victimized by intimates (18%) as those victimized by strangers (3%) did not report their violent victimization to police because they feared reprisal from the offender (Ronet Bachman Ph.D., U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Statistics, "Violence Against Women: A National Crime Victimization Survey Report," January 1994, p. 1.)

• Each year, an estimated 3.3 million children witness their mothers or female caretakers being abused (American Psychological Association, Violence and the Family: Report of the American Psychological Association Presidential Task Force on Violence and the Family (1996), p. 11. )