The specific term used to describe violence in a relationship. An intimate partner is a person with whom you have or had a close personal or sexual relationship.
Refers to any form of violence that occurs within a household. These relationships include household relationships such as spouse/spouse, parent/child, elder/child, etc.
Refers to any form of violence that occurs within a dating relationship. Dating violence primarily impacts younger populations, but it is in no way limited to a certain age group.
hitting or slapping; kicking; strangling; pushing; punching; destruction of property.
constant criticism and/or mocking; humiliating remarks; yelling; swearing or name-calling; interrupting; threats and intimidation.
forcing you to have sex; demanding sexual acts; taking sexual pictures without consent; forcing you to get pregnant; refusing to let you get pregnant.
not paying bills; refusing to give money; not allowing you to go to school or work; not allowing you to learn a new job skill; refusing to work and support the family.
not expressing feelings; not giving compliments; not paying attention; not respecting feelings, rights, opinions, and concerns; lying; breaking promises; withholding important information; being unfaithful; jealousy; not sharing domestic responsibilities; gaslighting.
Anyone can be affected.
Studies have found no unique link between personality type and experiencing domestic violence. Changing how the person experiencing domestic violence behaves cannot stop the abuse. Domestic violence can affect more than just the primary person experiencing it. Everyone deserves to feel safe in their own home.
There are many different ways that abuse can occur. There is physical abuse, sexual abuse, financial abuse, digital abuse, and emotional abuse. There is not one particular way abuse is carried out. Every situation is different, so if you or someone you know is not or might not be safe, please contact Peace at Home for help.
Red flags, also known as warning signs, demonstrate an unbalanced relationship in which one partner is attempting to control the other. If you feel: threatened at times, isolated, unable to be independent, afraid at times, pressured into situations you're uncomfortable in, like your opinion is not valued, or that things have changed in a negative manner, these could be red flags.
Green flags are signs of a healthy relationship. Some examples include feeling: safe to be your true self, respected, happy, in sync with your partner, challenged in a positive way, or comfortable to make sacrifices that benefit all parts of the relationship.
1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men experience intimate partner violence in their lifetime. It is important to recognize that intimate partner violence and domestic violence impact people of all genders.
Recent research shows that LGBTQIA+ members fall victim to domestic violence at equal or even higher rates compared to heterosexual individuals. 43.8% of lesbian women and 61.1% of bisexual women have experienced rape, physical violence and/or stalking from an intimate partner. 26% of gay men and 37.3% of bisexual men also report experiencing intimate partner violence during their lifetime. Research also shows that individuals that identify as transgender/non-binary are more likely to experience intimate partner violence in a public setting.
It is so incredibly important to understand that leaving is the most dangerous time for survivors of domestic violence. Many different factors stop people from leaving unsafe situations, spanning from: general safety risks, nowhere to go or stay, children's safety, financial dependence, feelings of shame, lack of support, and/or fear of disclosing the abuse with family or friends.
A safety plan is a personalized, practical plan that includes ways to remain safe while in a relationship, planning to leave, or after you've left. Safety planning involves how to cope with emotions, telling friends and family about the abuse, taking legal action, and more. For help with safety planning, speak with an advocate today at 1-877-442-9811 or 479-442-9811.
You can help survivors by continuing to learn about the impacts of domestic violence and intimate partner violence, learning how to recognize the warning signs, starting conversations with your friends and family about these issues, volunteering with Peace at Home, or making a gift in support of survivors rebuilding their lives after abuse. You can also follow us on social media to stay updated on events and to access bite-sized educational materials!
To schedule a training or request materials for your organization, please fill out this form or contact Abbey Underwood, our Community Education Coordinator, at aunderwood@peaceathomeshelter.com.
