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Contact Us

Our phone and chat services are available to anyone who has been affected by relationship abuse, including those who are currently in abusive relationships, those who are working to heal, friends or family of victims and survivors and anyone in the community who has questions about domestic violence. We have the ability to provide phone services in more than 200 languages.

Donations and Corporate Sponsorships

Please visit our Donations page and our Sponsors & Partners page for more information. If you have additional questions, please send an email to development@ndvh.org.

Media & Press Inquiries

If you are a member of the media, please send your requests to: hotline.media@ndvh.org | 803-470-NDVH (6384)

Visit our Media Room.

Materials Requests

Currently, The Hotline has a limited supply of printed materials specific to digital abuse, which can be requested by contacting us at hotline.requests@ndvh.org. You are also welcome to download and print materials from our Download Materials page.

Listing The Hotline as a Resource

The Hotline allows other websites, publications or projects to list our organization's number and/or website as a domestic violence resource. Content from this website may be used as long as The Hotline is cited as the source.
Please note that The Hotline does not specifically endorse or promote projects with which we do not have explicit involvement or an official partnership.
For all other inquiries, please contact hotline.requests@ndvh.org.

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Contact Us - The National Domestic Violence Hotline

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South Carolina Adult Protective Services (APS) and Elder Abuse Hotline | Family Caregiver Alliance

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Adult Protective Services assist vulnerable and elder adults to stop and prevent abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Anyone can make a report about suspected abuse to the Hotline.

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Elder abuse includes physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, exploitation, neglect, and abandonment. Perpetrators include children, other family members, and spouses-as well as staff at nursing homes, assisted living, and other facilities.

Physical abuse means inflicting physical pain or injury upon an older adult.

Sexual abuse means touching, fondling, intercourse, or any other sexual activity with an older adult, when the older adult is unable to understand, unwilling to consent, threatened, or physically forced.

Emotional abuse means verbal assaults, threats of abuse, harassment, or intimidation.

Confinement means restraining or isolating an older adult, other than for medical reasons.

Passive neglect is a caregiver's failure to provide an older adult with life's necessities, including, but not limited to, food, clothing, shelter, or medical care.

Willful deprivation means denying an older adult medication, medical care, shelter, food, a therapeutic device, or other physical assistance, and exposing that person to the risk of physical, mental, or emotional harm-except when the older, competent adult has expressed a desire to go without such care.

Financial exploitation means the misuse or withholding of an older adult's resources by another.

Learn more about the types of abuse from the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA).

Approximately 1 in 10 Americans aged 60+ have experienced some form of elder abuse. Some estimates range as high as 5 million elders who are abused each year. One study estimated that only 1 in 14 cases of abuse are reported to authorities.

Abusers are both women and men. In almost 60% of elder abuse and neglect incidents, the perpetrator is a family member. Two thirds of perpetrators are adult children or spouses.

Social isolation and mental impairment (such as dementia or Alzheimer's disease ) are two factors. Recent studies show that nearly half of those with dementia experienced abuse or neglect. Interpersonal violence also occurs at disproportionately higher rates among adults with disabilities.

Physical abuse, neglect, or mistreatment: Bruises, pressure marks, broken bones, abrasions, burns

Emotional abuse: Unexplained withdrawal from normal activities, a sudden change in alertness, or unusual depression; strained or tense relationships; frequent arguments between the caregiver and older adult

Financial abuse: Sudden changes in financial situations

Neglect: Bedsores, unattended medical needs, poor hygiene, unusual weight loss

Verbal or emotional abuse: Belittling, threats, or other uses of power and control by individuals

Elders who have been abused have a 300% higher risk of death when compared to those who have not been mistreated. While likely under-reported, estimates of elder financial abuse and fraud costs to older Americans range from $2.9 billion to $36.5 billion annually. Yet, financial exploitation is self-reported at rates higher than emotional, physical, and sexual abuse or neglect.

Most states have penalties for those who victimize older adults. Increasingly, across the country, law enforcement officers and prosecutors are trained on elder abuse and ways to use criminal and civil laws to bring abusers to justice. Review elder justice laws, statistics and other state resources compiled by the NCEA.

If an older adult is in immediate, life-threatening danger, call 911. Anyone who suspects that an older adult is being mistreated should contact a local Adult Protective Services office, Long-Term Care Ombudsman, or police. NCEA describes various scenarios and ways to Get Help, and more information is available from the Eldercare Locator online or by calling 1-800-677-1116.

Educating seniors, professionals, caregivers, and the public on abuse is critical to prevention. If you're an older adult, you can stay safe by:

Taking care of your health.

Seeking professional help for drug, alcohol, and depression concerns and urging family members to get help for these problems.

Attending support groups for spouses and learning about domestic violence services.

Planning for your own future. With a power of attorney or a living will, you can address health care decisions now to avoid confusion and family problems later. Seek independent advice from someone you trust before signing any documents.

Staying active in the community and connected with friends and family. This will decrease social isolation, which has been connected to elder abuse.

Posting and opening your own mail.

Not giving personal information over the phone.

Using direct deposit for all checks.

Having your own phone.

Reviewing your will periodically.

Knowing your rights. If you engage the services of a paid or family caregiver, you have the right to voice your preferences and concerns. If you live in a nursing home, call your Long Term Care Ombudsman. The ombudsman is your advocate and has the power to intervene.

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Elder Abuse Statistics & Facts | Elder Justice | NCOA

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Elder abuse includes physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, exploitation, neglect, and abandonment. Perpetrators include children, other family members, and spouses-as well as staff at nursing homes, assisted living, and other facilities. Physical abuse means inflicting physical pain or injury upon an older adult.

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Elder abuse includes physical, emotional, or sexual harm inflicted upon an older adult, their financial exploitation, or neglect of their welfare by people who are directly responsible for their care. In the U.S. alone, more than half a million reports of elder abuse reach authorities every year, and millions more cases go unreported. As older adults become more physically frail, they’re less able to take care of themselves, stand up to bullying, or fight back if attacked. Mental or physical ailments can make them more trying companions for those who live with them. And they may not see or hear as well or think as clearly as they used to, leaving openings for unscrupulous people to take advantage of them. Elder abuse tends to take place where the senior lives: where their abusers are often adult children, other family members such as grandchildren, or a spouse or partner. Elder abuse can also occur in institutional settings, especially long-term care facilities.

One of the most common forms of elder abuse encountered by geriatric care managers is self-neglect. Physical or mental impairment or diminished capacity can mean that an older adult is no longer able to perform essential self-care. They may lack basic personal hygiene, appear dehydrated, malnourished, or underweight, live in increasingly unsanitary or dirty conditions, and be unable to pay bills or properly manage their medications.

Self-neglect can be a sign of depression, grief, dementia, or other medical problem, and in many cases, the older person will refuse to seek assistance. They may be in denial, feel ashamed about needing help, or worried about losing their independence.

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Signs of Physical Abuse: Any injury (bruise, burn, fracture, abdominal or head injury) that cannot be explained

Signs of Sexual Abuse: Fearful behavior (nightmares, depression, unusual fears, attempts to run away); abdominal pain, bedwetting, urinary tract infection, genital pain or bleeding, sexually transmitted disease; extreme sexual behavior that seems inappropriate for the child's age

Signs of Emotional Abuse: Sudden change in self-confidence; headaches or stomachaches with no medical cause; abnormal fears, increased nightmares or attempts to run away

Signs of Emotional Neglect: Failure to gain weight (especially in infants), desperately affectionate behavior, voracious appetite and stealing food

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Child abuse can result from physical, verbal, or sexual harm. While child abuse is often considered to take the form of an action, there are also examples of inaction that cause harm, such as neglect. Households in which participants suffer from alcoholism, substance abuse, or anger issues demonstrate higher occurrences of child abuse as compared to households without. Outcomes of child abuse can result in both short and long term injury, or even death. Some children may be unaware that they are victims of child abuse. Child abuse is widespread and can occur in any cultural, ethnic, or income group.

Physical abuse involves non-accidental harming of a child by, for example, burning, beating, or breaking bones. Verbal abuse involves harming a child by, for example, belittling them or threatening physical or sexual acts. Emotional trauma can result from several forms of abuse.

Studies show that one in four girls and one in eight boys are sexually abused before the age of 18, and that approximately one in 20 children are physically abused each year. Child sexual abuse is the deliberate exposure of a minor child to sex or sexual activities that the child cannot comprehend or consent to. This behavior includes acts such as inappropriate touching of a child's breasts or genitalia, someone exposing their genitalia to a child, fondling, oral-genital contact, genital and anal intercourse, as well as exhibitionism, voyeurism, and exposure to pornography.

Child neglect occurs when someone does not provide the necessities of life to a child, either intentionally or with reckless disregard for the child's well being. This can include physical neglect, such as withholding food, clothing, shelter, or other necessities. Emotional neglect includes withholding love or comfort or affection. Medical neglect occurs when medical care is withheld.

Religious freedom has become a point of contention in some cases of possible child abuse-some states, for instance, allow for medical neglect due to religious objections. There are also examples of some extreme religious acts that are considered child abuse in certain countries, but which are acceptable in others.

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Child abuse can result from physical, verbal, or sexual harm. While child abuse is often considered to take the form of an action, there are also examples of inaction that cause harm, such as neglect. Households in which participants suffer from alcoholism, substance abuse, or anger issues demonstrate higher occurrences of child abuse as compared to households without.

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Child abuse can be physical, emotional, verbal, or sexual. It can also result from neglect. Abuse can result in serious injury to the child and possibly even death.

Physical abuse involves non-accidental harming of a child by, for example, burning, beating, or breaking bones. Verbal abuse involves harming a child by, for example, belittling them or threatening physical or sexual acts. Emotional trauma can result from several forms of abuse.

Child sexual abuse is the deliberate exposure of a minor child to sexual activity that the child cannot comprehend or consent to. This means a child is forced or talked into sex or sexual activities by another person.

Child neglect can occur when a parent or gaurdian does not provide the necessities of life to a child, either intentionally or with reckless disregard for the child's well being. This can include physical neglect, such as withholding food, clothing, shelter, or other necessities. Emotional neglect includes withholding love or comfort or affection. Medical neglect occurs when medical care is withheld.

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Facts on Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is a well-known and often-used term. Although it may describe various violent relationships, such as child abuse or elder abuse, it is most commonly applied to an intimate relationship between two adults in which one partner uses a pattern of assault and intimidating acts to assert power and control over the other partner. Only recently recognized as a major public health issue, domestic violence has a long, dark past and is firmly entrenched in many societies. Although domestic violence usually includes violent attacks, it is not limited to physical acts of violence, but may include psychological, economic, and sexual abuse as well as attempts to isolate the partner.

History

To fully understand the roots of domestic violence in our society, it is helpful to review some historical points. Unfortunately, abuse of an intimate partner has been a part of many cultures for many generations.

British common law once allowed a man to "chastise" his wife with "any reasonable instrument."

In the United States, throughout the 1800s, state laws and cultural practices continued to support a man's right to discipline his wife. In fact, it wasn't until 1895 that a woman could even divorce her husband on grounds of abuse.

The perception that it is not possible for individuals involved in same-sex relationships to be involved in domestic violence remains a pervasive myth.

In 1994, the Violence Against Women Act was adopted. This act encouraged research into domestic abuse and generated the legal and financial support for law enforcement and social services to protect battered women.

Scope of Domestic Violence

The extent of the problem of domestic violence is illustrated by the following statistics:

Women in the U.S. are more likely to have been injured, raped, or murdered by a male partner than by all other types of attackers.

In 2010, 7 million women and 5.7 million men are reported being assaulted by an intimate partner in the U.S.

The incidence of domestic violence in gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender relationships has been found to be comparable to that which occurs between heterosexual partners.

In the U.S., yearly from 2005 to 2012, roughly half of all female homicide victims were murdered by their current or former male partners.

What Is Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence is a relationship between intimate partners in which one individual seeks to assert power and control over the other. Recently, more same-sex partners and male victims of violence perpetrated by women are reporting their victimization. The abuser may use many different types of abuse to assert this power, and the overall framework in which the abuse occurs may follow a pattern called the cycle of violence.

Cycle of violence: Violent events may occur in a variety of patterns. The victim may experience ongoing, nonstop abuse, or the abuse may stop and start. One pattern of abuse often seen in a violent relationship begins with a tension-building phase, followed by the actual abusive act, and then a calm, making-up phase often called the honeymoon phase.

The tension-building phase includes increasing anger on the part of the abuser coupled with attempts by the person being abused to avoid violence. On the other hand, the victim may also attempt to bring on the violence to "get it over with."

The episode of acute abuse may include various forms of abuse and may occur for an indefinite amount of time.

The honeymoon phase that follows the abuse often includes both excuses for the abusive episode and expressions of love for the injured party. The abuser may deny the violence or blame his or her actions on their own drunkenness or the behavior or drunkenness of the victim. The abuser may promise that the abuse will never happen again.

Types of abuse: Domestic abuse is a broad term and involves physical, psychological, economic, and sexual abuse, as well as attempts to manipulate the victim through the use of his or her children. The abuser may also seek to isolate the victim from other people who may provide assistance.

Psychological abuse

Making or carrying out threats to do something to hurt you emotionally

In gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender relationships, threatening to expose ("out") the victim's sexual orientation

Threatening to commit suicide

Threatening to take away the children

Threatening to harm the children

Threatening to harm the family of origin (for example, parents and siblings)

Threatening to report you to a governmental agency (for example, the Internal Revenue Service and the Immigration and Naturalization Service)

Threatening to harm pets

Injuring or killing pets

Emotional abuse

Putting you down (for example, commenting about perceived shortcomings, name calling)

Making you think you are crazy

Making you feel bad about yourself

Playing mind games

Treating you as if you are a servant

Making all the big decisions

Isolation

Controlling what you do (for example, financially; monitoring activities)

Limiting your access to others

Controlling your activities outside the home

Sexual abuse

Making you do sexual things against your will

Treating you as if you are a sex object

Physically attacking the sexual parts of your body

Using children

Making you feel guilty about the children

Using visitation as a way to harass you

Using the children to give messages

Economic

Preventing you from getting or keeping a job

Taking your money

Making you ask for money

Giving you an allowance

What Are the Risk Factors for Domestic Violence?

A number of studies have looked into identifying individuals who are most at risk for domestic violence. The most common feature is an imbalance of power and control. However, neither those who experience domestic violence nor the partners who abuse them fall into distinct categories. They can be of any age, ethnicity, income level, or level of education. The following are examples of situations that are common among people who experience domestic violence. It is important to understand that anyone can be abused.

Individuals at risk:

Planning to leave or has recently left an abusive relationship

Previously in an abusive relationship

Poverty or poor living situations

Unemployed

Physical or mental disability

Recently separated or divorced

Isolated socially from family and friends

Abused as a child

Witnessed domestic violence as a child

Pregnancy, especially if unplanned

Younger than 30 years

Stalked by a partner

Although the abusers also share some common characteristics, it is important to note that abusers choose violence to get what they want in a relationship. Risk factors may point to an increased likelihood of violence in a relationship, but the person is not destined to become violent because of the presence of certain risk factors. The violence is not justifiable because it happened while the abuser was in a blind rage that he or she was powerless to control. The following factors may indicate an increased likelihood that a person may choose violence:

Abuser risk factors:

Abuses alcohol or drugs

Witnessed abuse as a child

Was a victim of abuse as a child

Abused former partners

Unemployed or underemployed

Abuses pets

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence may lead to both physical and psychological signs and symptoms in the victim. Victims may have obvious physical signs of traumatic injury, but they may also complain of noninjury signs and symptoms, such as chronic abdominal pain, that may seem unrelated to an abusive relationship. Family and friends, even coworkers, may see the following signs and symptoms. You may recognize some of them if you are a survivor of domestic violence. These are also signs that doctors look for in assessing potential victims of domestic abuse.

Psychological signs and symptoms:

Recognizing the signs and symptoms of domestic violence begins by observing the behavior of both the abuser and the person being abused. The abuser may appear overly controlling or coercive, attempting to answer all questions for the victim or isolating him or her from others. This type of behavior may occur in the context of a visit to the doctor where the abuser refuses to let the victim out of his sight and attempts to answer all questions for the victim. You may even note emotional abuse actually taking place. In stark contrast, the person being abused may appear quiet and passive. He or she may show outward signs of depression such as crying and poor eye contact.

Other psychological signs of domestic violence range from anxiety, depression, and chronic fatigue to suicidal tendencies and the battered woman syndrome-a syndrome similar to the post-traumatic stress disorder seen in people threatened with death or serious injury in extremely stressful situations (such as war).

Substance abuse is also more common in the person enduring domestic violence than in the general adult population. The abuse of alcohol, prescription drugs, and illicit drugs may happen as a result of the violent relationship rather than being the cause of the violence.

Physical signs and symptoms:

Domestic violence assault may lead to specific injury types and distributions.

These injury types and patterns may result from things other than domestic violence but should raise suspicion of abuse when present.

Injury types seen more commonly in domestic-violence injuries than in injuries caused by other means are these:

Tympanic membrane (eardrum) rupture

Rectal or genital injury

Facial scrapes, bruises, cuts, or fractures

Neck scrapes or bruises

Abdominal cuts or bruises

Tooth loose or broken

Head scrapes or bruises

Body scrapes or bruises

Arm scrapes or bruises

Physical signs and symptoms of domestic violence that result from traumatic injury may seem similar to injuries resulting from other causes. But some injury types and locations may increase the suspicion of assaultive violence.

The distribution of injuries on the body that typically occurs in the domestic-violence assault may follow certain patterns. Some frequently seen patterns of injury are as follows:

Centrally located injuries:

Injury distribution is in a bathing-suit pattern, primarily involving the breasts, body, buttocks, and genitals.

These areas are usually covered by clothing, concealing obvious signs of injury.

Another central location is the head and neck, which is the site of up to 50% of abusive injuries.

Characteristic domestic violence injuries:

Bite marks

Rope burns

Bruises

Welts with the outline of a recognizable weapon (such as a belt buckle)

Bilateral injuries: Injuries involving both sides of the body, usually the arms and legs

Defensive posture injuries: These injuries are to the parts of the body used by the victim to fend off an attack:

The small finger side of the forearm or the palms when used to block blows to the head and chest

The bottoms of the feet when used to kick away an assailant

The back, legs, buttocks, and back of the head when the individual is crouched on the floor

Injuries inconsistent with the explanation given:

The injury type or severity does not fit with the reported cause.

The mechanism of injury reported would not produce the signs of injury found on physical examination.

Injuries in various stages of healing:

Signs of both recent and old injuries may represent a history of ongoing abuse

Delay in seeking medical attention for injuries may indicate either the victim's reluctance to involve doctors or his or her inability to leave home to seek needed care

Noninjury physical signs and symptoms:

Individuals experiencing ongoing abuse and stress in their lives may develop medical complaints as a direct or indirect result.

Often, the person enduring domestic violence goes to the emergency department or clinic on multiple occasions with no physical examination findings to account for his or her symptoms

Some typical medical complaints:

A Personalized Domestic Violence Safety Plan

If an acute episode of domestic violence occurs in the home, first assess your immediate safety.

The question of when to obtain immediate assistance from the local law-enforcement agency must be based on your belief that there is risk of bodily injury or death.

If you believe that you or others in the home are in immediate danger, call 911.

If possible, you should attempt to do this without the abuser's knowledge, because this could lead to an escalation of the violence.

If you are currently in an abusive relationship, make plans to ensure both your and your children's safety in the event of recurrent or escalating violence. The following is a description of the Personalized Safety Plan from the Office of the City Attorney, San Diego, California.

Safety plan if abuser currently lives with you:

If possible, avoid arguments in small rooms, rooms without easily accessible exits, or in rooms with access to weapons (such as the kitchen).

Avoid the use of alcohol and other mind-altering substances because they may impair your ability to protect yourself and your children.

Plan which doors and windows may provide quick exit routes if immediate escape is necessary. Also, plan a meeting place outside of the home.

If possible, tell a reliable friend or neighbor to notify law enforcement if they hear anything suspicious coming from your home or over the telephone.

Select a code word to indicate the need to call law enforcement.

In the event that you must quickly leave your home, you should have immediate access to the following items:

Identification for yourself and your children (driver's license, passports, green cards, birth certificates)

Important documents (such as school and health records, insurance policies, car titles, mortgage papers, marriage license)

Court documents (protective orders, divorce, or custody papers)

Supply of prescription medications or a list of the medications and dosages

Clothing, toys, and other comfort items for both you and your children

Extra set of car, house, and safety deposit box keys

Phone numbers and addresses of family, friends, and community resources

Money, checkbook, credit cards

Safety plan if abuser does not live in your home:

Change door and window locks

If possible, install safety devices (extra locks, window bars, outdoor lights, motion detectors, security system)

Safety in the Workplace

Domestic violence often affects a domestic-violence survivor at the workplace. Your batterer may call you, stalk you, make threats against you or your children, or attack you at work. These efforts may be affecting your ability to work or jeopardize your job. You may be able to reduce the impact that violence has on your job through safety planning.

Talk with your employer about changes you both can make to your job that will improve your safety at work.

Change your phone number or extension.

Route your calls through the office receptionist.

Keep your home address and telephone confidential.

Request a transfer to a different desk, department, shift, or work site.

Have a security guard or other coworker escort you to your car or to the nearest public transportation stop.

Lock the door to your office or department.

Register your protective order with the security department or security personnel.

Post a picture of the batterer at the security desk and inform the security guards not to allow him or her into the building.

Ask your employer to get a restraining order against your batterer for you in addition to your own restraining order.

Commute to work with a coworker.

Vary the route you take to get to work, or the time when you normally commute.

Tell your employer the steps you are already taking to keep yourself safe.

Determining Domestic Violence Risk

If you are experiencing domestic violence, you may call a doctor whenever you think you require evaluation and treatment of acute injury, medical complaints resulting from chronic stress, or psychiatric illness. In addition, a doctor may help you assess your safety and access community resources. Community resources may include various healthcare agencies, law enforcement, and community groups. This is potentially a very dangerous time, because requesting help from others may put you at increased risk because the anger of the batterer may escalate due to a perceived loss of control on his or her part. In view of this, you should determine the appropriate time for others to intervene in an abusive relationship.

A situation in which you may seek outside assistance is when you perceive an increasing risk to you and your children. Doctors and other professionals use two tools to help determine your risk. They are the Lethality Checklist and the Physical Abuse Ranking Scale. Although every abusive relationship is different, your scores on these scales may help you to decide how risky your current situation has become.

Lethality Checklist: Count the items that apply to your current relationship. The higher the number of items from this list, the greater your danger potential.

Objectifies you (calls you names, body parts, animals)

Blames you for injuries

Is unwilling to turn you loose

Is obsessed with you

Is hostile, angry, or furious

Appears distraught

Is extremely jealous, blaming you for all types of promiscuous behavior

Has been involved in previous incidents of significant violence

Has killed pets

Has made threats

Has made previous suicide attempts

Is threatening suicide

Has access to you

Has access to guns

Uses alcohol

Uses amphetamines, cocaine, or other drugs

Has thoughts of hurting you

Has no desire to stop violent or controlling behavior

Has a relationship with you that is extremely tense and volatile

Physical Abuse Ranking Scale: The scale depicts increasing risk with increasing number ('1' representing low risk and '9' highest risk). Any violent act greater than 5 on this scale indicates a high danger potential.

1. Throwing things, punching the wall

2. Pushing, shoving, grabbing, throwing things at you

3. Slapping with an open hand

4. Kicking, biting

5. Hitting with closed fists

6. Attempted strangulation

7. Beating up, pinning to the wall or floor, repeated kicks and punches

8. Threatening with a weapon

9. Assault with a weapon

Emergency Department Care

When you suffer an acute abusive episode, you must first insure your immediate safety. If you feel you are in immediate danger, you may notify local law enforcement for intervention in your home through the 911 system. Once your immediate safety is assured, you may then assess your need for emergency department care.

Acute injury: If you have sustained what you believe is a life-threatening or limb-threatening injury, call 911 and request emergency medical assistance.

Community resources and safety:

The emergency department may also serve as a safe haven if you feel you are in danger and need assistance.

If you feel that the violence is escalating, a visit to the emergency department for any reason, even the care of a child, may allow you to escape potential harm.

Emergency department staff will help you arrange shelter placement, legal assistance, social-service evaluation, support-group referral, and can help you make a police report about your injury if you haven't already informed the police.

If you have thoughts of committing suicide, you may also access psychiatric care through the emergency department.

The doctor may ask you some questions about your injuries and your relationship. Be prepared to answer as honestly as you can. These questions are recommended by the American Medical Association:

Are you in a relationship in which you have been physically hurt or threatened by your partner? Have you ever been in such a relationship?

Are you in a relationship in which you feel you are treated badly? In what ways?

Has your partner ever threatened or abused your children?

Has your partner ever forced you to have sex when you did not want to? Does he or she ever force you to engage in sex that makes you feel uncomfortable?

We all fight at home. What happens when you and your partner fight or disagree?

Have you been hit, kicked, punched, or otherwise hurt by someone within the past year? If so, by whom were you injured?

Do you feel safe in your current relationship?

Is there a partner from a previous relationship who is making you feel unsafe now?

The National Resource Center on Domestic Violence provides information on domestic violence and related issues; (800) 531-2238.

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence offers many resources. They also offer a free booklet, "Hope and Power," to provide information and guidance to domestic-violence victims about managing their finances and obtaining economic security. Send an email that includes your mailing address to [email protected] to request a single complimentary copy.

National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE [7233]) is staffed 24 hours a day by trained counselors who can provide crisis assistance and information about shelters, legal advocacy, health-care centers, and counseling. There is also a toll-free number for the hearing-impaired: 1-800-787-3224 (TDD).

Gay and Lesbian National Hotline provides free confidential assistance for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people of all ages.; (888) THE-GLNH. http://www.glnh.org.

Gay Men's Domestic Violence Project provides direct services and resources to allow gay, bisexual, and transgender men to remove themselves from violent situations and relationships.

Health Resource Center on Child Custody Protection provides information related to child protection and custody in the context of domestic violence; (800) 527-3223.

American Bar Association Commission on Domestic Violence lists phone numbers and resources to help you find a lawyer.

Batterer Intervention Services Coalition of Michigan features a discussion forum where you can talk with others involved in domestic violence and its prevention.

FaithTrust Institute is an educational resource on abuse and religion.

Medically reviewed by John A. Daller, MD; American Board of Surgery with subspecialty certification in surgical critical care

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Domestic Violence: Facts, Definition, Awareness & Shelter

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Facts on Domestic Violence Domestic violence is a well-known and often-used term. Although it may describe various violent relationships, such as child abuse or elder abuse, it is most commonly applied to an intimate relationship between two adults in which one partner uses a pattern of assault and intimidating acts to assert power and control over the other partner.

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Definition- violent or aggressive behavior within the home, typically involving the violent abuse of a spouse or partner.
*Domestic Violence usually goes unnoticed by many because they are unaware that what their abusive partner is doing to them is wrong.
*In an abusive relationship you may see physical, psychological, emotional, isolation, sexual, or economic abuse.