The Lyfe Magazine – We Stand Against Domestic Violence

We Need Your Stories

The Lyfe Magazine is firmly against domestic violence. We’re gearing up for our October issue and we want to use your stories. Telling your story will empower and inspire others to break their bonds of abuse.

Signs of Domestic Violence

Some signs of domestic violence are more obvious than others. Here are a few common signs.

Does your intimate partner ever:

• Accuse you of cheating and being disloyal?
• Make you feel worthless?
• Hurt you by hitting, choking or kicking you?
• Intimidate and threaten to hurt you or someone you love?
• Threaten to hurt themselves if they don’t get what they want?
• Try to control what you do and who you see?
• Isolate you from your family and friends?
• Pressure or force you into unwanted sex?
• Control your access to money?
• Stalk you, including calling you constantly or following you?

If you recognize these signs of domestic violence and suspect that you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship, you are not alone; there is help in your community. (Retrieved from Safe Horizon at https://www.safehorizon.org/get-help/domestic-violence/#overview/)

Domestic Violence Statistics

National Statistics

(Retrieved from NCADV at http://ncadv.org/learn-more/statistics)

• On average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. During one year, this equates to more than 10 million women and men.
• 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have been victims of [some form of] physical violence by an intimate partner within their lifetime.
• 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men have been victims of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
• 1 in 7 women and 1 in 18 men have been stalked by an intimate partner during their lifetime to the point in which they felt very fearful or believed that they or someone close to them would be harmed or killed.
• On a typical day, there are more than 20,000 phone calls placed to domestic violence hotlines nationwide.
• The presence of a gun in a domestic violence situation increases the risk of homicide by 500%.
• Intimate partner violence accounts for 15% of all violent crime.
• Women between the ages of 18-24 are most commonly abused by an intimate partner.
• 19% of domestic violence involves a weapon.
• Domestic victimization is correlated with a higher rate of depression and suicidal behavior.
• Only 34% of people who are injured by intimate partners receive medical care for their injuries.

Where to Get Help

If you are in immediate danger, call 9-1-1.

For anonymous, confidential help, 24/7, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or  1-800-787-3224 (TTY).

If you are being abused by your partner, there is nothing you have done or are doing to cause the abuse. It is solely the choice of the abuser to abuse. It may seem impossible to escape your abuser, change your circumstances, or find the help you need, but it is possible. However, you know your abuser best, so think carefully through your situation and circumstances and do what is the best for you. (Retrieved from NCADV at http://ncadv.org/learn-more/get-help)

Helpful Links

http://ncadv.org/

http://ncadv.org/learn-more/get-help