Domestic Violence

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THE REAL STORY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE THE FACTS ABOUT Contributes To Homelessness LINKED TO SUBSTANCE ABUSE ABUSERS ARE MALES CONTRIBUTES TO DEPRESSION HAVE A CRIMINAL RECORD CROSSES ECONOMIC BOUNDARIES Studies have shown that many battered women start drinking subsequent to the battering. So, it may be defensive behavior on the part of women trying to cope with an intolerable situation.” - Linda Salzman, PhD, criminologist at the Centers for Disease Control Women who experience domestic violence may be at increased risk of homelessness or be compelled to live with a former or current abuser in order to prevent homelessness. (National Coalition for the Homeless, 1999) The U.S. Department of Justice estimates that 95% of assaults on spouses or ex-spouses are committed by men against women (Assessing Violent Couples, H. Douglas, Families in Society, 11/91) 33% of battered women often experience adverse mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem (Mercy et al. 2003). 40% of the populations of abuser have a criminal record. Many abusers suffer from anti-social, narcissistic, borderline, and histrionic personality disorders. Holtzworth-Munroe, A., & Stuart, G. L. (1994). Domestic violence occurs across all populations, irrespective of social, economic, religious, or cultural group. However, young women and those below the poverty line are disproportionately affected (Heise and Garcia-Moreno 2002). FIREARMS WERE MOST OFTEN USED As many as 324,000 women each year experience domestic violence during their pregnancy (Gazmararian et al. 2000). ABUSED DURING PREGNANCY Firearms were the major weapon type used in intimate partner homicides from 1981 to 1998 (Paulozzi et al. 2001). CHILDREN ARE AT RISK Researchers report that children who witness domestic violence are at greater risk of developing psychiatric disorders, developmental problems, school failure, violence against others, and low self-esteem (Nelson et al. 2004). Approximately 3.3 million children witness abuse between their parents each year, based on estimates of partner abuse. (S. Schechter and A. Ganley, San Francisco Family Violence Prevention Fund), Domestic violence is abuse committed by a spouse, a former spouse, a fiancée, a boyfriend or girlfriend, or a cohabitant upon each other. Lack of affordable housing and long waiting lists for assisted housing mean that many women and their children are forced to choose between abuse at home or the streets. (U.S. Conference of Mayors, 1998).