What is Domestic Violence?

Domestic Violence is a pattern of abusive behaviors to exert power and control over another individual in the context of an intimate partnership.

Facts About Domestic Violence 

• Most domestic violence incidents are never reported.
• More than 1 in 3 women (35.6%) and more than 1 in 4 men (28.5%) in the United States have experienced rape, physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
• 44% of lesbians and 61% of bisexual women experience rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner, compared to 35% of heterosexual women.
• Women ages 18 to 24 generally experienced the highest rates of intimate partner violence.
• Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women – more than car accidents, muggings, and rapes combined.
• On average, 24 people per minute are victims of rape, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner in the United States — more than 12 million women and men over the course of a year.
• Every year, 1 in 3 women who is a victim of homicide is murdered by her current or former partner.

Indicators of Domestic Violence in a Relationship

Domestic violence doesn’t look the same in every relationship because every relationship is different. But one thing most abusive relationships have in common is that the abusive partner does many different kinds of things to have more power and control over their partners. If you’re beginning to feel as if your partner or a loved one’s partner is becoming abusive, there are a few behaviors that you can look out for. Watch out for these red flags and if you’re experiencing one or more of them in your relationship, call the hotline (540-667-6466) to talk about what’s going on.

• Telling you that you can never do anything right
• Showing jealousy of your friends and time spent away
• Keeping you or discouraging you from seeing friends or family members
• Embarrassing or shaming you with put-downs
• Controlling every penny spent in the household
• Taking your money or refusing to give you money for expenses
• Looking at you or acting in ways that scare you
• Controlling who you see, where you go, or what you do
• Preventing you from making your own decisions
• Telling you that you are a bad parent or threatening to harm or take away your children
• Preventing you from working or attending school
• Destroying your property or threatening to hurt or kill your pets
• Intimidating you with guns, knives or other weapons
• Pressuring you to have sex when you don’t want to or do things sexually you’re not comfortable with
• Pressuring you to use drugs or alcohol

If even one of these indicators applies to you, you may be in an abusive relationship. 

For support and information, please call our 24-hour hotline at 540-667-6466

• 24-hour Hotline:
  Available to provide help, information and referrals to those in crisis.

• Adult Therapy
  Therapy services (relative to domestic violence trauma) are provided to survivors of domestic violence at no charge. Services are provided by a licensed or license-eligible professional.

• Child Therapy
  Therapy services provided children who have witnessed domestic abuse, ages 5 – 17. These services are provided free of charge by a licensed or license-eligible professional.

• Individual Psycho-Educational Counseling for Adults and Children over 11
  Education, emotional support and empowerment to anyone who has experienced domestic violence at any time in their lives.

• Support Groups for Women, Men and Teens
  Topics include boundaries, healing, trauma, self-esteem, healthy relationships, and expression through art and journaling.

• Legal Advocacy
  Advocates provide support and accompany victims when filing reports and protective orders as well as attending court hearings and trials.  Our Advocates, Law Enforcement, Victim Witness, Commonwealth Attorneys, Social Services and court personnel work together in an effort to provide the best services possible for victims.

• Outreach and Education
  We currently provide training for law enforcement, emergency medical services/first responders, medical staff, as well as college, high school and middle school students and staff.

• Emergency Shelter
  We provide temporary emergency shelter to families leaving an abusive household.

• Safety Planning
  Staff can help prepare your personalized safety plan to keep you safe.