BE INFORMED
What is Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence is a pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner. Abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic or psychological. It can involve actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviors that frighten, intimidate, terrorize, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, injure or wound someone.
Who suffers with this issue?
1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men in the U.S. are victims of domestic violence at some point in their lives. (CDC, 2005)
Domestic violence can happen to anyone of any race, age, sexual orientation, religion or gender. It can happen to couples who are married, living together or who are dating. Domestic violence affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels.
Am I being abused? (From thehotline.org)
Does your partner or a loved one:
How can I help a friend or family member who is being abused?
For Healthcare Providers:
Domestic violence is a pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner. Abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic or psychological. It can involve actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviors that frighten, intimidate, terrorize, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, injure or wound someone.
Who suffers with this issue?
1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men in the U.S. are victims of domestic violence at some point in their lives. (CDC, 2005)
Domestic violence can happen to anyone of any race, age, sexual orientation, religion or gender. It can happen to couples who are married, living together or who are dating. Domestic violence affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels.
Am I being abused? (From thehotline.org)
Does your partner or a loved one:
- Embarrass you with put-downs?
- Control what you do, who you see or talk to or where you go?
- Stop you from seeing your friends or family members?
- Take your money or Social Security check, make you ask for money or refuse to give you money?
- Make all of the decisions?
- Tell you that you’re a bad parent or threaten to take away or hurt your children?
- Prevent you from working or attending school?
- Act like the abuse is no big deal, it’s your fault, or even deny doing it?
- Destroy your property or threaten to kill your pets?
- Intimidate you with guns, knives or other weapons?
- Shove you, slap you, choke you, or hit you?
- Force you to try and drop charges?
- Threaten to commit suicide?
- Threaten to kill you?
How can I help a friend or family member who is being abused?
- Be supportive
- Be non-judgemental
- There are many reasons why people stay in abusive relationships. Always support the victim, even if she or he returns to their abuser.
- Acknowledge that she or he is in a very difficult, scary and dangerous situation
- Encourage her or him to talk to people who can provide help
- Encourage her or him to participate in activities outside of the relationship
- Help her or him develop a safety plan
For Healthcare Providers:
- Be Alright has designed and produced unique domestic violence screening cards for white coats. Please contact us if you or a colleague would like a card or know or an event where these cards could be distributed. Let's work together to increase awareness!
- Enjoy this video from our friends at LEAP (Look to End Abuse Permanently) in San Francisco. It will give you a concise overview on how to effectively yet sensitively screen for different types of abuse in your patients. A must view!
For COVID-19 Resources:
- To find further information about COVID-19, as well as educational flyers, go to: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
- To monitor the number of cases in the United States, see: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/cases-in-us.html
- For individuals seeking refuge from domestic violence during this COVID-19 pandemic, Airbnb and Chicago Mayor Lightfoot have joined together to support any resident seeking a place to stay. This program will be facilitated by the Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline - 877-863-6338 (TTY 877-863-6339) and The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence.
- Connections for Abused Women and Their Children (CAWC) - www.cawc.org
- The National Domestic Violence Hotline - www.thehotline.org
- Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence - www.ilcadv.org
- Break the Cycle - www.breakthecycle.org
