Frequently Asked Questions
What is Domestic Violence?
Domestic Violence can be defined as a pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner ("What is Domestic Violence" NP). The abuser usually uses fear, guilt, and threats to gain control of their partner.
Who is affected by Domestic Violence?
Domestic Violence happens to all races, ages, and types of relationships ("What is Domestic Violence" NP). If the violence occurs between parents, the child(ren) are usually affected in a very bad way. The abuse not only happens to women but to men as well.
Why does Domestic Violence happen?
A man will abuse a woman to gain control over her. The man would follow a pattern of behavior that would frighten, intimidate, terrorize, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, injure or wound the woman ("What is Domestic Violence" NP). Some people think that domestic violence is caused by a mental illness but most of the time a mental illness is just used as an excuse for abuse. Alcohol, drugs, and stress are also used as common excuses for domestic violence ("Domestic Violence" NP)
When does Domestic Violence happen?
Domestic violence can happen once in awhile or every single day. Michigan State police records from 1997 show that a woman is killed by their partner or former partner about once a week in Michigan ("Domestic Violence" NP). In most cases of abuse, women are not killed by their partner's but rather just beaten. In the US alone, a woman is beaten every 15 seconds ("Facts About Domestic Violence" NP). The violence usually follows a cycle; incident, tension building, making-up, and the ends with calmness. This cycle can happen hundreds of times over the course of a relationship ("Domestic Violence" NP).
Where does Domestic Violence happen?
Domestic violence can happen anywhere, in any type of relationship and to anyone. Many people think that this kind of abuse doesn't happen and will never happen in their community. These people, however, are highly unaware of the problem at hand. The Michigan State Police in 1998 reported over 5,000 cases of domestic violence in Oakland County ("Domestic Violence" NP). Citizens in our community need to be made aware of the abuse that is taking place around them every day.