DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Domestic violence is any verbal, psychological, physical or sexual behavior that is controlling, threatening or violent, against a spouse or family members. Common acts of violence include

•Put downs, insults, excessive blaming or telling someone they are not worthy or good

enough to be loved.

•Not allowing someone to have their own friends.

•Not allowing different opinions or speaking freely.

•Being overly manipulative, coercive, or controlling.

•Controlling or dictating all financial or other decisions.

•Making threats or causing fear or humiliation.

•Physical violence – including slapping, hair pulling, biting, pushing, hitting, punching,

and kicking.

•Sexual assault or force.

Common physical signs that someone is a victim of domestic violence include bruises, cuts and scrapes on the face, neck, arms and hands; broken or loose teeth, welts, bite marks, or cigarette burns. Common behavioral signs that someone is a victim of domestic violence are depression, anxiety, always giving in, low self-esteem, fearfulness, and substance abuse.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, don’t stay silent.

Get help and take action. Talk to a trusted friend or call the statewide emergency domestic violence hotline toll free at 1-888-774-2900 or Meriden Domestic Violence Services at (203) 238-1501.

In Cheshire you can contact the Town’s Crisis Intervention Worker at (203) 271-5565.

If you need immediate emergency help call 911.

Get support from family and friends you trust.

Make a safety plan that includes: How you leave the situation safely, what you need to take with you, and where you can stay.

For more information or additional resources contact the Cheshire Youth & Social Services Department at (203) 271-6690 or by e-mail at cheshireyouthservices@cheshirect.org.

Safe Haven of

Greater Waterbury

Safe Haven provides emergency shelter and free comprehensive support services to victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Safe Haven is committed to ending violence and sexual assault by changing the social conditions and beliefs that perpetuate violence against women and children.

Services:

* 24 Hour Hotline

* Up to 60 Days of

emergency shelter

for women & their

children

* Child Counseling

& Advocacy

* Help in applying

for a temporary

restraining order

* Individual & peer

Group counseling

* D.O.V.E. class

for clients

* Criminal Court

Advocacy

* Educational

presentations

for schools,

Businesses &

Community Groups

* Information &

referral

Hotlines:

Sexual Assault

(203) 753-3613

Domestic Violence

(203) 575-0036

For More information please visit their Web Site:

Safe Haven

Domestic Violence: Statistics

*Every 9 seconds a woman is battered in the United States

*Nearly one third of American women (31%) report being physically or sexually abused by a husband or boyfriend at some point in their lives.

*Battering is the greatest single cause of injury to women in the U.S. more than by car accidents, stranger rapes and muggings combined.

*Each year, 3.3 million children witness their mother being beaten.

*70% of men who abuse their female partners also abuse their children.

*Forty percent of teenage girls ages 14 to 17 report knowing someone their age who has been beaten by a boyfriend.

*Battered women are four to five times more likely than non-battered women to require psychiatric treatment.

*Family violence costs the nation form $5 to $10 billion annually in medical expenses.

*In 92% of all domestic violence incidents, crimes are committed by men against women.

*The F.B.I. estimates that only bout 10% of domestic violence is reported to the police.

*60% of battered women are beaten while they are pregnant.

*Up to 50% of all homeless women and children are fleeing domestic violence.

http://www.safehavengw.org/dviolence/stats.shtml