Domestic Violence

DOMESTIC PARTNER VIOLENCE & INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE

What is Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence means abuse committed against any person involved in one of the following nine relationships:

A spouse or former spouse
A cohabitant or former cohabitant *
Dating or former dating relationship *
Engagement relationship or former engagement relationship
A person with whom the respondent is having or has had a child, where the presumption applies that he male parent is the father of the child

*Includes same-gender relationships

The term "intimate partner violence" is abuse that occurs between two people in a close relationship. It includes current and former spouses and dating partners.

Domestic violence can take many forms from beatings, sexual assault, molestation, and even murder. Specific offenses covered include assault of any kind, threatening and intimidating, kidnap or false imprisonment, and trespass. The law also protects family members against fighting, unreasonable noise, abusive language and reckless use of a weapon or dangerous instrument.

Because of the family relationship, victims of domestic violence usually feel afraid, ashamed, and embarrassed. Many are convinced that they did something to deserve the abusive treatment and most feel powerless to change the situation or escape from it. Everyone in a family affected by domestic violence wants to believe that each incident of violence will be the last.

Unfortunately, statistics show that the violence tends to become more frequent and more severe with each occurrence. It is important to remember domestic violence is a crime and there is no need to suffer in silence. Help is available for both the victim and the offender.

Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women, surpassing rape, mugging, and auto accidents combined.
Every nine seconds a woman is beaten in America.
At least 2 million women a year are assaulted by husbands or boyfriends. Of these women, 25-45% are battered during pregnancy.
Ten women are killed every day due to domestic violence.
1 in 4 women will experience domestic violence during her lifetime.
From 1999-2000, only 54% of intimate partner violence was reported to police.
Young women age 16-24 experience the highest rate of domestic violence, 16 per 1,000 persons.
169 murders were the result of intimate partner violence in California in 2004.
California law enforcement received 186,439 domestic violence calls in 2004.
The cost of intimate partner violence annually exceeds $5.8 billion.

There are provisions in the domestic violence law which permits police officers to arrest the offender based on evidence that an offense has occurred. The officer does not have to witness the offense. This law also provides that an offender may be arrested even if the victim is unwilling to press charges. These are important factors in protecting the victim from repeated violence and help to break the cycle of abuse.

Things to Consider in a Domestic Violence Situation:

If you are being beaten or anticipate an attack, leave the scene immediately. Go to a neighbor, friend, or relative for temporary shelter and notify the police.
Seek medical attention immediately if you are injured. Even if your injuries are minor, you should still see a doctor as soon as possible. Some injuries may not be obvious to you. Tell the doctor exactly how the injuries happened and make sure he or she notes this in your records.
You may want to talk to someone who can advise you on the availability of family shelters or give you emotional support. These agencies can put you in touch with the help you need.
Accept the fact that you can't solve the problem by fighting back or trying harder to be "perfect." Instead, consider turning to the protection that is rightfully yours by law.

Develop and Implement a Safety Plan

A safety plan is designed to clearly state what to do if you ever need to leave your home and abuser. Creating a safety plan in advance will help you to retain control during your escape. Leaving is very dangerous and it is important to plan in advance to maintain safety.

What should I do in advance?

Have important numbers nearby (police, friends, family, shelter, hotlines).
Ask a neighbor to beware of suspicious activity in your home and to call police for help.
Plan an escape route and practice it often. Plan an escape route from work as well.
Keep a “ready bag” packed with all of your important documents (driver’s license and registration, birth certificates, social security cards, insurance papers, etc) extra cash, address book, prescription medications, clothes, cell phone, etc. Keep it hidden, but easy to grab quickly.
Think about where you could go if you need to leave in an emergency, have more than one place in mind.
Leave extra money, car keys and copies of important documents with someone you trust.
Open a savings account or get a credit card in your name.
Have a “code word” to use with your family and others you trust.

For Your Safety call the Police

When a police officer arrives, describe exactly what happened. Tell the officer about any injuries such as bruises, cuts, redness or tender areas. Also let the officer know if anyone else witnessed the incident and can support your statement. The officer will decide if there is enough evidence to make an arrest.

If arrested, the offender will be taken away and secured until appearing before a magistrate who will determine the terms and conditions of the release. The penalties for an offender found guilty of domestic violence very greatly. The court may be able to order the offender into a counseling program to being breaking the cycle of violence.

Types of Restraining Orders:

Emergency Protective Order (EPO): issued on the spot by a law enforcement officer – good for five days, usually until court appearance.
Temporary Restraining Order (TRO): issued by a judge of the civil court after an application for a TRO has been completed. TRO’s expire three weeks after the date they are issued.

Domestic Violence Restraining Order (DVRO) or Permanent Restraining Order (PRO): issued by the civil court and usually good for three years.

More information on restraining orders

Signs of an Abusive Relationship

Misuse of Power and Control
Using coercion and threats: making or carrying out threats to do something to hurt her
Using intimidation: making her afraid by using looks, gestures, or actions
Using emotional abuse: putting her down, making her feel bad about herself, humiliating her
Using isolation: controlling what she does, who she sees and talks to, limiting outside involvement, using jealousy to justify actions
Minimizing, denying, blaming: making light of the abuse and not taking her concerns about it seriously, saying the abuse didn't’t happen, shifting responsibility for abusive behavior, saying she caused it
Using male privilege: treating her like a servant, acting like the “master of the castle,” making all the big decisions
Using economic abuse: preventing her from getting or keeping a job, making her ask for money, taking her money, limits access to family income

Why is it Difficult to Leave an Abusive Relationship?

Situational Factors:

Emotional dependency
Fear of greater physical danger if they try to leave
Lack of alternative housing
Fear of involvement in the legal process
Cultural or religious restraint
Fear of retaliation

Emotional Factors:

Fear of loneliness
Insecurity over potential independence
Guilt
Belief that your partner will change
Ambivalence and fear over making substantial life changes

The Effects of Domestic Violence

Long term effects of domestic violence on women who have been abused include:

Anxiety
Chronic depression
Chronic pain
Death
Dehydration
Disassociated states
Drug and/or alcohol dependence
Eating disorders
Emotional “over-reactions” to stimuli
General emotional numbing
Health problems
Malnutrition
Panic attacks
Poor adherence to medical recommendations
Poverty
Repeated self injury
Self-neglect
Sexual dysfunction
Sleep disorders
Somatization disorders
Strained family relationships
Suicide attempts
An inability to adequately respond to the needs of their children

The “Cycle of Violence”

The cycle of violence is a recurring behavioral pattern where the offender swings between affectionate, remorseful, and calm behavior to periods of tension that grows into physical, sexual or emotional violence. The more times the cycle is completed, the less time it takes to complete. As the cycle is repeated, the violence usually increases infrequency and severity.

Help & Resources

On Campus:

University Police

Emergency: 911 (From a campus phone)

OR (818) 677-2111 (or from a cell phone)

Non-emergency: (818) 677-2111 (or from a cell phone)

University Counseling Services

(818) 677-2366 * (818) 677-7834 (TTY)

Klotz Student Health Center

(818) 677-3666 * (818) 677-3692 (TTY)

Wellness Coach - Janis Martin, Ch, CDS

Free private appointments (818) 677-3658