CHICAGO CRIMINAL ATTORNEYS [2024]

What is Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behaviors used by one partner in an intimate relationship to gain power and control over the other. It can include physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats that influence the other person. This includes any behaviors that frighten, intimidate, terrorize, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, injure, or wound someone.1Domestic violence can happen to anyone regardless of race, age, sexual orientation, religion, or gender. It affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels. It occurs in both opposite-sex and same-sex relationships and can happen to intimate partners who are married, living together, or dating.1Domestic violence is also known as intimate partner violence, domestic abuse, relationship abuse, spousal abuse, or family violence. The key element is a pattern of behaviors used by one partner to maintain power and control over the other.2

Types of Domestic Violence

There are several main types of domestic violence:12

1. Physical abuse: This involves the use of physical force against the victim in a way that injures or endangers them. It includes behaviors such as hitting, slapping, shoving, grabbing, pinching, biting, hair-pulling, burning, or denying medical care.
2. Sexual abuse: This includes coercing or attempting to coerce any sexual contact or behavior without consent. It also includes sexual acts after the victim is forced to consume alcohol or drugs.
3. Emotional abuse: This involves undermining the victim’s sense of self-worth through criticism, name-calling, humiliation, manipulation, and control. The abuser makes the victim feel they are crazy, stupid, or worthless.
4. Economic abuse: This involves making or attempting to make the victim financially dependent by maintaining total control over financial resources, withholding access to money, or forbidding attendance at school or employment.
5. Psychological abuse: This involves causing fear by intimidation, threatening physical harm to self, partner, children, or partner’s family or friends, destruction of pets and property, or forcing isolation from family, friends, school or work.

Domestic violence often follows a cyclical pattern with three general stages:3

1. Tension building: Stress builds, communication breaks down, victim becomes fearful and feels the need to placate the abuser.
2. Incident: Verbal, emotional, physical, or sexual abuse occurs. The abuser attempts to dominate the relationship.
3. Reconciliation: Abuser apologizes, gives excuses, blames the victim, denies the abuse occurred, or promises it won’t happen again. The incident is “forgotten” and the cycle starts again.

Warning Signs of Domestic Violence

There are many red flags that can indicate someone is in an abusive relationship. Some common warning signs include:12

• Their partner puts them down in front of other people
• They are constantly watched by their partner and must check in frequently
• They have stopped spending time with friends and family
• Their partner controls all the finances and forces them to account for what they spend
• Their partner loses their temper in a way that is frightening
• Their partner threatens to hurt them or their children
• Their partner forces them to have sex
• Their partner acts excessively jealous and possessive
• Their partner prevents them from making their own decisions
• Their partner destroys their belongings or threatens pets
• They have unexplained marks or injuries
• They dress in clothing designed to hide bruises or scars
• They have few close friends and are rarely allowed to socialize
• They have limited access to money, credit cards, or the car
• They frequently miss work, school, or social occasions without explanation
• They often seem anxious to please their partner and go along with everything they say

If you notice these warning signs in a friend, family member, or co-worker, take them seriously. People who are being abused may feel ashamed, humiliated, or afraid to talk about the abuse. Speak up if you can safely do so. Let them know you are concerned for their safety and that there is help available.

Impact of Domestic Violence

Domestic violence has serious physical, emotional, and psychological consequences for victims and their families. It can result in physical injury, disability, chronic health problems, mental illness, and even death.1Some of the short-term and long-term health impacts of domestic violence include:4

• Physical injuries like bruises, cuts, broken bones, head injuries, and internal bleeding
• Chronic pain syndromes like back pain, headaches, and pelvic pain
• Gastrointestinal disorders like irritable bowel syndrome
• Sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS
• Unintended pregnancy and pregnancy complications
• Anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and suicide attempts
• Substance abuse problems

Domestic violence also has a significant impact on children. Children who witness domestic violence are more likely to be abused and neglected themselves. This exposure increases their risk for emotional and behavioral problems like anxiety, depression, poor school performance, and early use of drugs and alcohol. They are also more likely to become abusers or victims themselves later in life.1

The economic costs of domestic violence are substantial. Victims often lose their jobs due to absenteeism, decreased productivity, and the need to move to a safe environment. The health-related costs of rape, physical assault, stalking, and homicide by intimate partners exceed $5.8 billion each year. Of that amount, nearly $4.1 billion are for direct medical and mental health care services.1

Getting Help for Domestic Violence

If you are being abused, remember that it is not your fault. You are not alone, and help is available. There are many resources available to victims of domestic violence, including crisis hotlines, shelters, counseling services, and legal assistance programs.Here are some steps you can take if you are in an abusive relationship:12

1. Recognize that you are being abused. Admit to yourself that you are being abused. Your partner’s behavior is not normal or acceptable. You are not responsible for their actions.
2. Know that you are not alone. Millions of people experience domestic violence every year. You are not to blame, and you do not deserve to be treated this way.
3. Make a safety plan. If you decide to leave, have a plan for where you will go and how you will get there. Keep important documents, money, and other essentials in a safe place. Arrange a signal with trusted friends so they know when to call for help.
4. Seek support. Confide in a trusted friend, family member, co-worker, or spiritual leader. Join a support group for domestic violence survivors. Get professional help from a counselor experienced in domestic violence.
5. Use available resources. Call a domestic violence hotline for advice and referrals. They can help you find local shelters, counseling, and legal assistance. Have the number for emergency services memorized or easily accessible.
6. Involve the legal system. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. Get a restraining order that makes it illegal for the abuser to come near you. If your abuser violates the order, report it to the police immediately.
7. Prioritize your safety. If your partner has threatened to kill you, take it very seriously. Go somewhere safe and contact the police. Change the locks, get caller ID, and take other steps to protect yourself at home.

Remember, you have the right to be safe and free from violence. No one deserves to be abused, no matter what the circumstances. With the right help and support, you can escape an abusive situation and begin to heal.

Resources for Domestic Violence Victims

Here are some national resources available for anyone affected by domestic violence:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 or www.thehotline.org. Highly-trained advocates are available 24/7 to talk confidentially with anyone experiencing domestic violence or seeking resources.
• National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 or www.rainn.org. Connects survivors of sexual violence with local providers who can provide services like counseling and legal advocacy.
• National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline: 1-866-331-9474 or www.loveisrespect.org. Offers 24/7 support specifically for teens and young adults affected by dating violence.
• National Resource Center on Domestic Violence: www.nrcdv.org and www.vawnet.org. Provides a wide variety of information relating to domestic violence, including state coalitions and local programs.
• Domestic Shelters: www.domesticshelters.org. The first online and mobile searchable directory of domestic violence programs and shelters in the U.S.

Many local communities also have resources available, like:

• Counseling and mental health services
• Legal aid clinics
• Housing and shelter programs
• Support groups
• Children’s services
• Batterer intervention programs

You can find local resources by contacting your state domestic violence coalition, which you can find through the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence at www.ncadv.org/state-coalitions.