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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Domestic violence is a societal problem that knows no boundaries.  It affects families of all income levels, ethnicities, and religion.  It is a problem that is also, unfortunately, not often talked about publicly.  According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, 95% of the victims of domestic violence are women.  Domestic violence includes physical abuse, emotional abuse, and sexual abuse.  At the source of all abuse is the idea of power and control.  Those who abuse others have an intense need to feel power and control over their partners.  Domestic violence not on1y has a dramatic effect on women’s physical safety and self-esteem, but it also negatively affects children in the home.  The National Woman Abuse Prevention Project states that when domestic violence happens between parents, it is very likely that children are also often abused by a parent.  Children can be physically hurt if household items are thrown, for example, or weapons are used.  Domestic violence can also cause indirect injuries related to the trauma of witnessing abuse between adults in the home.  Examples of effects on children are: increased aggressive behaviors toward others, depression, feeling anxious, afraid or guilty (about feelings of love or hate toward the abuser or about the abuse itself), disruption of eating and sleeping patterns, reverting to “younger” behaviors such as thumb sucking or bedwetting, stress-related physical symptoms such as headaches.  Children also learn that violence is an effective way to resolve conflicts.  This is how family violence can pass from generation to generation.

What is the definition of abuse?  Many women are not sure of the answer because sometimes the households they grew up in were also abusive.  According to the 1993 H.A.S.C. report, domestic violence is “any for of physical sexual, or emotional abuse which takes place within the context of a close relationship.  In most cases the relationship will be between partners (married, cohabitating, or otherwise) or ex-partners.”  Some common examples are actual or threatened harm (hitting, kicking, choking, pushing, throwing objects at a partner, holding to prevent partner from leaving); sexual assault, name-calling, isolation from family or friends, withholding of money, ridiculing or continuously criticizing, humiliating in public or private, or manipulating with lies or contradictions.

There are many resources available to help victims of domestic violence, their children, as well as friends and family members of a loved one who is being abused:

DCFS Child Abuse Hotline                                                               1-800-25-ABUSE

OASIS Women’s Center (domestic violence shelter-Alton)               1-800-244-1978

Phoenix Crisis Center (domestic violence shelter-Granite City)     618-451-1008

Women’s Crisis Center (domestic violence shelter-Belleville)            1-800-924-0096

Sexual Assault Victims First (Collinsville)                                          618-344-0605

Additional community resources are available from your school social worker.

Domestic violence is a community issue that affects families, neighborhoods, schools, and other community organizations.  If you are being abused or know of someone who is and would like to help, please contact one of the above agencies or your school social worker for help.