Domestic Violence and Rape

Introduction to Domestic Violence and Rape

If you have suffered domestic violence or a sexual assault, you can call the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673) to be connected with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area. You can also contact 911/your local police department to speak to the authorities about filing charges.

Domestic violence is a variety of abuse that occurs within the home, between family members or couples. The typical image of domestic violence involves an adult male perpetrator and a female victim, often his wife or girlfriend. However, there are also women perpetrators of domestic violence, and men are sometimes victims. Really, any violence done by any family or group member towards another could qualify.

Domestic violence may take many forms. Destruction of property, psychological and emotional abuse, and physical and sexual assault are all com...More

Fast Facts: Learn! Fast!

What is domestic violence?

Domestic violence is a variety of abuse that occurs within the home, between family members or couples.
Destruction of property, psychological and emotional abuse, and physical and sexual assault are all common forms.
On the milder but still quite serious side, perpetrators of domestic violence may threaten victims or use verbal put downs and bad name, attempt to publically humiliate them, or play manipulative mind games. Abusers may be act very jealously, and work to control victims' access to family and friends or employment.
Rape is a crime involving forced sexual activity, usually including sexual penetration, against the will of the victim.
In addition to the financial and social adjustment difficulties that are often associated with removing one's self from an ongoing abuse situation, survivors of domestic violence or rape can develop emotional and psychological concerns that last well after the physical injuries have healed.
No matter what type of violence you may have experienced (or are experiencing) or variety of emotional difficulty you may have incurred from such trauma, it is important that you not blame yourself for having been victimized.
Nobody deserves to be physically, sexually, emotionally, or spiritually abused as a child or as an adult.
Abusive people are unable or unwilling to effectively control or cope with their own impulses and to respect human dignity and rights.

For more information

News Articles

Brain Injury Often a Devastating Side Effect of Domestic Violence
Eighty-one percent of women who've suffered domestic abuse and sought help have suffered a head injury and 83% have been strangled, researchers discovered. More...
Male Victims of Domestic Violence Often Suffer in Silence
Men who are victims of domestic violence find it hard to get help and the support they need, British researchers report. More...
#MeToo Sparked Surge in Awareness About Sexual Harassment: Study
Now there's evidence that the #MeToo movement sparked more than mere conversation about sexual abuse in the United States. More...
Kids Get Caught in Deadly Cross-Fire of Domestic Violence
Twenty percent of homicides of U.S. children ages 2 to 14 years are related to intimate partner violence, a new study indicates. More...
Health Tip: Protecting Yourself From Sexual Assault
No one can prevent all instances of sexual assault. But the U.S. Office on Women's Health says there are things you can do to stay safer. More...

2 More

Sexual Assault Has Long-Term Mental, Physical Impact
But now comes a new study that warns that sexual assault and harassment often take a significant long-term toll on a victim's mental and physical health, increasing the risk not only for depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but also high blood pressure and sleep loss. More...
Sexual Violence Haunts Women for Years
Sexual assault leaves many women with permanent indelible memories, a new study finds. More...