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Domestic Violence FAQ
What is domestic violence?
The Michigan Domestic Violence Prevention and Treatment Board, defines
"domestic violence" as follows: 'Domestic Violence' means the
occurrence of any of the following acts by a person that is not an act of
self-defense: causing or attempting to cause physical or mental harm to a
family or household member; placing a family or household member in fear of
physical or mental harm; causing or attempting to cause a family or household
member to engage in involuntary sexual activity by force, threat of force, or
duress; and/or engaging in activity toward a family or household member that
would cause a reasonable person to feel terrorized, frightened, intimidated,
threatened, harassed, or molested. Further, the definition of "family or
household member" is to include any of the following:
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A spouse or former spouse.
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An individual with whom the person resides or has resided.
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An individual with whom the person has or has had a dating relationship.
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An individual with whom the person is or has engaged in a sexual relationship.
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An individual to whom the person is related or was formerly related by
marriage.
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An individual with whom the person has a child in common.
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The minor child of an individual described in the above bullet points.
How big is the problem of domestic violence?
Domestic violence is the # 1 cause of injury to women in the United States.
4000 women are killed each year as a result of domestic violence in our
country. A woman is being abused by her partner every 9 seconds. 1 in 3 women
will be battered sometime in her life. According to the 2002 Uniform Crime
Report, there were 53,663 Domestic Violence Offenses reported in 2002. Of these
53,663 reported offenses, there were 528 victims reported from Allegan County
and 1,131 victims reported from Ottawa County. Three of these victims died as a
result of domestic violence in Ottawa County in 2002.
Are men ever the victim?
Though men are at times the victims of domestic violence, it is reported that
in cases of physical abuse 80% of the abusers are men and 20% are women.
Why do women stay in an abusive relationship?
Women stay in an abusive relationship for a variety of reasons: she loves him,
she may be economically dependent on her partner and see no alternative at the
time, she is afraid of him and fears that he will carry out his threats, she
may stay for the sake of her children – fearing that he may hurt the children
if she attempts to leave or she may feel that her children need a father, she
may not believe or know that she has the right not to be beaten, she may hold
on to religious or cultural beliefs that demand she maintain the relationship,
she may not be aware of services that are available to her and may feel
trapped. These are only a few reasons as to why a woman may stay in an abusive
relationship and is in no way an exhaustive list.
What can be done to help a person who is involved in domestic violence?
Be available to listen if someone asks for your help. Don't place judgment on
the person. In Ottawa and Allegan Counties (Michigan) you can encourage the
person to contact the Center For Women In Transition Crisis Line at (800)
848-5991, or refer them to the National Domestic Hotline at (800) 799-7233.
Reassure the person that there is help and options available.
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