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.
News Articles
New Law Expands Care for Rape Victims
Expanded care for sexual assault victims is a main feature of the Violence Against Women Act that was signed into law Tuesday by President Joe Biden. More...
Sexual Assault Could Affect a Woman's Long-Term Brain Health
It's known that sexual assault affects a woman's physical and mental health. Now, researchers say these traumatic incidents may also harm her brain health. More...
Drinking at Home: Liquor Store Sales Rose During Pandemic
Americans did more drinking at home during the early months of the coronavirus pandemic, which researchers say may be linked to a rise in domestic violence and other problems. More...
PTSD Common After Sexual Assault, But Eases for Most
Most sexual assault survivors have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) immediately after the attack, but it tends to lessen over the following months, a new study finds. More...
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