 |
|
|
|
Domestic violence is abuse that happens between members of a family or people involved in a close relationship such as husband and wife, boyfriend and girlfriend, parent and child, same-sex couples, and adult children and elderly parents. The violence can be:
- Emotional/verbal abuse -- threats, name calling, and words that hurt or humiliate.
- Physical abuse -- slapping, kicking, shaking, beating, choking, punching.
- Sexual abuse -- ANY unwanted touching or forcing someone to engage in sexual acts against her or his will.
Who Are The Victims of Domestic Violence?
- WOMEN: Victims of battering in a relationship are overwhelmingly women. 95% of victims of spousal assaults are women.
- CHILDREN: Of the children who witness domestic violence, 60% of the boys become batterers and 50% of the girls become victims.
- MEN: 3-5% of domestic violence victims are men.
Domestic violence occurs in all kinds of communities. Battering and abuse occur in families of all races, classes, and educational backgrounds.
Are You Being Abused?
Have you been pushed, shoved, slapped, hit, raped, or forced to do things you didn't want to do?
Yes __ No __Have you been subjected to insults, public humiliation, or threats against you, your children or other family members?
Yes __ No__Have you been refused help when sick, abandoned in dangerous places, locked out of the house, denied access to the car?.
Yes __ No __Do you ever feel afraid, controlled, manipulated, or like there is no way out?.
Yes __ No __You Are Not Alone. Help Is Available.
The YWCA Shelter offers:
- 24 hour hotline 482-0005. All calls are confidential.
- Shelter. A safe, secure place for a woman and her children to stay when home isn't safe.
- Crisis and supportive counseling.
- Support groups.
- Information, referrals, and advocacy with other agencies: medical, legal, social services, housing, etc.
- Parenting education and support.
- Community education.
Other Support Agencies
The District Attorney General's Office, through the Domestic Violence Office, offers referrals to many other agencies which provide services needed by victims of domestic violence. These include:
- Sexual Assault Crisis Center
- Rural Legal Services of Tennessee
- Ecumenical Storehouse
- Aid to Distressed Families of Anderson County
- Community Action Agency of Anderson County
- Department of Human Services
- Department of Children Services
- Anderson County Schools guidance counselors
- Contact Teleministry
- County Housing Authorities
- Health Council of Anderson County
There Is An Alternative To Abuse. No one deserves to be beaten or threatened. THERE ARE NO EXCUSES, whether it be alcohol, financial problems, sickness, children or stress, that justifies abusive behavior. Violence at home will not "just go away." But with help, it can be stopped.