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Domestic violence against women: Recognize patterns, seek help
Create a safety plan
Leaving an abuser can be dangerous. Consider taking these precautions:
- Call a women's shelter or domestic violence hotline for advice. Make the call at a safe time — when the abuser isn't around — or from a friend's house or other safe location.
- Pack an emergency bag that includes items you'll need when you leave, such as extra clothes and keys. Leave the bag in a safe place. Keep important personal papers, money and prescription medications handy so that you can take them with you on short notice.
- Know exactly where you'll go and how you'll get there.
Protect your communication and location
An abuser can use technology to monitor your telephone and online communication and to track your physical location. If you're concerned for your safety, seek help. To maintain your privacy:
- Use phones cautiously. Your abuser might intercept calls and listen to your conversations. He or she might use caller ID, check your cellphone or search your phone billing records to see your complete call and texting history.
- Use your home computer cautiously. Your abuser might use spyware to monitor your emails and the websites you visit. Consider using a computer at work, the library or at a friend's house to seek help.
- Remove GPS devices from your vehicle. Your abuser might use a GPS device to pinpoint your location.
- Frequently change your email password. Choose a password that would be impossible for your abuser to guess.
- Clear your viewing history. Follow your browser's instructions to clear any record of websites or graphics you've viewed.
Where to find help
In an emergency, call 911 — or your local emergency number or law enforcement agency. The following resources also can help:
- Someone you trust. Turn to a friend, loved one, neighbor, co-worker, or religious or spiritual adviser for support.
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-SAFE or 800-799-7233. Call the hotline for crisis intervention and referrals to resources, such as women's shelters.
- Your health care provider. Doctors and nurses will treat injuries and can refer you to safe housing and other local resources.
- A local women's shelter or crisis center. Shelters and crisis centers typically provide 24-hour emergency shelter, as well as advice on legal matters and advocacy and support services.
- A counseling or mental health center. Counseling and support groups for women in abusive relationships are available in most communities.
- A local court. Your district court can help you obtain a restraining order that legally mandates the abuser to stay away from you or face arrest. Local advocates may be available to help guide you through the process.
It can be hard to recognize or admit that you're in an abusive relationship — but help is available. Remember, no one deserves to be abused.
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References
- Understanding intimate partner violence. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/dvp/ipv_factsheet.pdf. Accessed Feb. 21, 2011.
- Violence against women: What is abuse? U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.4woman.gov/violence/signs/. Accessed Feb. 21, 2011.
- Safety planning list. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.4woman.gov/violence/planning/safetyplanninglist.pdf. Accessed Feb. 21, 2011.
- Violence against women: Domestic and intimate partner violence. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.4woman.gov/violence/types/domestic.cfm. Accessed Feb. 21, 2011.
- Violence against women: Court order of protection. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.4woman.gov/violence/prevent/civil.cfm. Accessed Feb. 21, 2011.
- Domestic violence. American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp083.cfm. Accessed Feb. 21, 2011.
- Domestic violence. American Psychiatric Association. http://www.healthyminds.org/Main-Topic/Domestic-Violence.aspx. Accessed Feb. 21, 2011.
- McHugh MC, et al. Intimate partner violence: New directions. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 2006;1087:121.
- Raising children to resist violence: What you can do. American Psychological Association. http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/resist-violence.aspx. Accessed Feb. 21, 2011.
- AAMFT consumer update: Domestic violence. American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. http://www.aamft.org/imis15/Content/Consumer_Updates/Domestic_Violence.aspx. Accessed Feb. 21, 2011.
- Internet safety. National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. http://www.ncadv.org/protectyourself/InternetSafety_121.html. Accessed Feb. 21, 2011.
- Southworth C, et al. Intimate partner violence, technology and stalking. Violence Against Women. 2007;13:842.
- Torpy JM. Intimate partner violence. The Journal of the American Medical Association. 2008;300:754.
- Pitt EL, et al. Violence and trauma: Recognitions, recovery, and prevention. In: Makadon HJ, et al. The Fenway Guide to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Health. Philadelphia, Pa.: American College of Physicians; 2008:253.
- Issues: Domestic violence. National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs. http://www.ncavp.org/issues/DomesticViolence.aspx. Accessed Feb. 21, 2011.
- Bonomi AE, et al. Medical and psychosocial diagnoses in women with a history of intimate partner violence. Archives of Internal Medicine. 2009;169:1692.
- Sillman JS. Diagnosing, screening, and counseling for domestic violence. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 21, 2011.
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