When spouses, intimate partners, or dates use physical violence, threats, emotional abuse, harassment, or stalking to control the behavior of their partners, they are committing domestic violence. Physical violence includes putting your hands on a person against their will. It also includes shoving, pushing, grabbing, pulling, or forcing someone to stay somewhere. Regardless of the relationship between two people, using physical violence against someone is a crime. Very few people identify themselves as abusers or victims. They may remain silent about the issue because of the havoc that domestic violence has created in their workplace and family lives. Victims may be silent about the abuse because of embarrassment or shame, or for fear that their batterers will hurt them if they tell other people about the violence. Abusers may minimize their actions or blame the victims for provoking the violence. Both victims and abusers may characterize their experiences as family quarrels that "got out of control." Observations Injuries that are inconsistent with description of cause Painful vaginal exams Victim / partner behavior Delay in presenting (old bruises) Comments about emotional abuse Any injury during pregnancy: Ask: "Are those injuries due to physical abuse?; Has someone been hurting you?" Avoid Harmful Assumptions There are no typical characteristics or profiles of abusers or victims. Abusers may appear very charming or may seem like explosive or angry individuals. Victims may seem extremely frightened or passive or may be quite angry about what is happening. Rather than determining whether someone fits a "type," determine whether the warning signs of abuse exist. If someone declines to discuss domestic violence issues, consider whether the silence may be due to a fear of the perpetrator, or to cultural, race or gender issues which make it difficult to talk about such personal experiences. Responses: If you suspect that someone is a victim of domestic violence, say the following: I am concerned about your safety. You can talk to me about what is happening at home. Domestic violence can harm your children.
When spouses, intimate partners, or dates use physical violence, threats, emotional abuse, harassment, or stalking to control the behavior of their partners, they are committing domestic violence. Physical violence includes putting your hands on a person against their will. It also includes shoving, pushing, grabbing, pulling, or forcing someone to stay somewhere. Regardless of the relationship between two people, using physical violence against someone is a crime. Very few people identify themselves as abusers or victims. They may remain silent about the issue because of the havoc that domestic violence has created in their workplace and family lives. Victims may be silent about the abuse because of embarrassment or shame, or for fear that their batterers will hurt them if they tell other people about the violence. Abusers may minimize their actions or blame the victims for provoking the violence. Both victims and abusers may characterize their experiences as family quarrels that "got out of control." Observations Injuries that are inconsistent with description of cause Painful vaginal exams Victim / partner behavior Delay in presenting (old bruises) Comments about emotional abuse Any injury during pregnancy: Ask: "Are those injuries due to physical abuse?; Has someone been hurting you?" Avoid Harmful Assumptions There are no typical characteristics or profiles of abusers or victims. Abusers may appear very charming or may seem like explosive or angry individuals. Victims may seem extremely frightened or passive or may be quite angry about what is happening. Rather than determining whether someone fits a "type," determine whether the warning signs of abuse exist. If someone declines to discuss domestic violence issues, consider whether the silence may be due to a fear of the perpetrator, or to cultural, race or gender issues which make it difficult to talk about such personal experiences. Responses: If you suspect that someone is a victim of domestic violence, say the following: I am concerned about your safety. You can talk to me about what is happening at home. Domestic violence can harm your children.
21-Student-Handbook.docx