Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is a type of abuse. It involves injuring someone, usually a spouse or partner, but it can also be a parent, child or other family member.

Domestic violence is a serious problem. It is the most common cause of injury to women ages 15 to 44. Victims may suffer physical injuries such as bruises or broken bones. They may suffer emotionally from depression, anxiety or social isolation.

It is hard to know exactly how common domestic violence is, because people often don't report it. There is no typical victim. It happens among people of all ages. It affects those of all levels of income and education.

Domestic Violence on Wikipedia

'''Domestic violence''', by barest definition, is violence within a home. Beyond this, the term has a range of definitions, some more and some less formal, which are frequently used with little awareness that a range of definitions exists. =Definitions=

The UK Home Office

In its annual UK Crime Survey [http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs04/hors276.pdf], the British government defined domestic violence as: :''Any violence between current or former partners in an intimate relationship, wherever and whenever the violence occurs. The violence may include physical, sexual, emotional or financial abuse.'' For classification purposes it breaks the term down into '''sexual''' and '''non-sexual''' abuse, and each of these into further sub-categories illustrated by example:

Non-sexual

'''Abuse''' *Prevented you from having your fair share of the household money *Stopped you from seeing friends and relatives '''Threat''' *Frightened you, by threatening to hurt you or someone close to you '''Force - minor''' *Pushed you, held or pinned you down or slapped you '''Force - major''' *Kicked you, bit you, or hit you with a fist or something else, or threw something at you that hurt you *Choked or tried to strangle you *Threatened you with a weapon, such as a stick or a knife *Threatened to kill you *Used a weapon against you, e.g. a knife, gun

Sexual

'''Rape - 1994 definition''' *Penetration of the vagina or anus by the penis without consent **[Women only] Penetrated your vagina with a penis, even if only slightly **Penetrated your anus with a penis even if only slightly **[Women only] Attempted to penetrate your vagina with a penis, but did not succeed **Attempted to penetrate your anus with a penis but did not succeed '''Rape - additional 2003 definition''' *In addition to the 1994 definition, penetration of the mouth by penis without consent: **Penetrated your mouth with a penis even if only slightly **Attempted to penetrate your mouth with a penis ... [ Read More ]

External Resources

Second Wind Dance Company - Creates performances with timely thematic materials relating to social and world issues such as domestic violence, world hunger, and child abuse, in an artistic and culturally enriching manner.(Chesapeake, Virginia)

Stone Crabs - A physical theatre performance about domestic violence.

Warming Families - Volunteer project providing blankets and warm items to homeless and domestic violence shelters around the world. Mission statement, free patterns, contact information, and volunteer opportunities.

Warming Families: Brampton and Greater Toronto Area Chapter - Local chapter collects warm items to be distributed to a domestic violence shelter. Contact information and details on how to help.

Warming Families Across Oregon - Contact information to find out where to send handmade items for homeless shelters, nursing homes, and domestic violence shelters in Oregon.

Deb's Web - Pictures of completed projects, links to crochet sites, a free pattern, and information on domestic violence.

Michael Bolton Charities - Non-profit organization that supports children and women at risk of poverty, abuse, neglect, homelessness, and domestic violence; and provides access to education for underprivileged youth. Information about grants, programs, and events.

Vertfield Farm LLC - Publisher of short books with social science emphasis. Topics include volunteering, domestic violence, and grief. Also offers local Ozarks area crafts.

Morris, Michael - A Place Called Wiregrass . A novel that binds the hearts of three generations of Southern women as they seek fresh starts and new friendships after domestic violence.

Hayden, Angela - Dead Wrong - Personal story of domestic violence, incest and child abuse.

Related Pages on HealthTales.com:

Teen Violence

Domestic Violence