Domestic Violence Awareness Month

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Domestic Violence effects women, men, and children. It is not always physical and can be mental, verbal, emotional, sexual, isolation, financial and even stalking. Abuse towards women and men typically comes from an intimate partner or family member. More than 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men experience some level of domestic abuse in their lifetime. Approximately 26% of children and youth experience a domestic violence event before the age of 18. It is usually committed by a family member or trusted adult, and it is typically sexual abuse that is committed against them.

Here are some of the signs that one may experience in a domestic situation with a partner or family member:

Name calling and insults.
Often acts jealous or possessive.
Tries to control how you spend money or your access to money.
Tracks where you go, what you do online or who you talk to on the phone.
Prevents you from going to work or school.
Stops you from seeing family members or friends.
Threatens to keep you from seeing your child/children.
Gets angry or abusive when drinking alcohol or using substances.
Tries to control whether you can see a healthcare professional.
Threatens you, your child/children or your pets with violence or a weapon.
Hits, kicks, shoves, slaps, chokes or otherwise hurts you, your child/children, or your pets.
Forces you to engage in sexual acts against your will.

While most people are scared and embarrassed to share that they are being abused, it is important that we all pay attention to the signs of abuse. If you or someone you know are in an unsafe situation, please confide in someone who is safe and that can help you leave the situation safely. Leaving a domestic situation can be very traumatizing as most women and children don’t make it out alive. It is important to understand that victims of abuse often return to their situation a couple of times before leaving for good, which can often frustrate those trying to help. DO NOT CHECK OUT ON THEM!

Domestic Violence often leaves a person with not only physical scars, but mental and emotional scars too. Victims often need extensive mental health therapy due to PTSD, depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. Studies show a 23% increase in suicide attempts in those who have experienced abuse especially amongst teens and young adults.

If you or someone you know need to leave a domestic situation, here are some resources to help: https://wscadv.org/washington-domestic-violence-programs/

King County:

Domestic Abuse Women’s Network (DAWN)

https://dawnrising.org/

Phone: 425-656-7867 or 425-656-7867 (Español)

Toll free: 1-877-465-7234

LifeWire

https://www.lifewire.org/

Phone: 425-746-1940

Toll free: 1-800-827-8840

Multi-Communities

https://www.multicommunities.org/

Phone: 206-937-7155