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Domestic Violence and Rape

Introduction to Domestic Violence and Rape

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


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  • 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

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  • Sexual Assault Has Long-Term Mental, Physical Impact

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  • Sexual Violence Haunts Women for Years

    Sexual assault leaves many women with permanent indelible memories, a new study finds. More...

    • 2 More

    • Many Gay Men Suffer Domestic Abuse: Study

      In a sobering finding that shows women aren't the only victims of domestic violence, researchers report that nearly half of men in same-sex couples have suffered some form of abuse at the hands of their partner. More...

    • Kids' Exposure to Domestic Violence Takes Economic Toll

      The long-term effects of children's exposure to domestic violence costs the U.S. economy about $55 billion a year, a new study reports. More...

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