What is Domestic Violence?
Domestic Violence is a pattern of coercive behavior used by one person to gain and maintain power and control over another in the context of an intimate or familial relationship.
Domestic violence can happen to anyone- adult women and men, teenagers, people who are mentally and physically disabled, and the elderly – regardless of race, sexual orientation, gender identity, ability, or economic status. According to the Domestic Violence Resource Center, "One in four women, one in seven men, and one in two non-binary people will be a victim of domestic violence at some point in their lifetime."
Domestic Violence may include:
physical violence
sexual violence
stalking
verbal, emotional, mental/psychological, and/or economic abuse
threats, pushing, punching, slapping, strangulation, shouting, and/or name-calling
harming or threatening to harm children or pets, and other violent or intimidating behaviors
isolating the victim/s from family and friends
Rarely a one-time occurrence, domestic violence usually escalates in frequency and severity over time.
Abusers batter to control and dominate their partners
Am I in an Abusive Relationship?
You are frightened by your partner’s temper
You feel intimidated by your partner
You often give in because you are afraid of your partner’s reaction
You apologize to yourself and others for your partner’s behavior when you are treated badly
You find yourself being criticized for daily things, such as your cooking, clothes, and/or appearance
You are humiliated or degraded by name-calling, put-downs, or accusations
Your partner makes frequent threats to withhold money, resources, take away the children or have an affair
You have been forced or pressured into having sex
You have been kicked, hit, shoved, restrained or had things thrown at you by your partner
You have been stopped from seeing family and/or friends
You feel isolated and alone
You are not allowed to work
Your partner does not allow you leave the home without them
Your partner threatens to harm your animals
Strangulation and Domestic Violence
1. Strangulation: is the obstruction of blood vessels and/or airflow in the neck resulting in asphyxia. Strangulation with the pressure of a firm handshake can result in death in one to three minutes.
2. Choking: is a partial or complete obstruction of the airway often due to a foreign object, often food.
3. Death from strangulation can occur days or weeks after an attack from carotid artery dissection, blood clots, or stroke. It is important to advocate for CT and MRI scans of the neck and brain. 50% of fatal strangulations had no physical signs.
4.The odds of homicide increase 750% for victims that have been previously strangled by their partner.
5. The number one cause of death among pregnant women in the United States is homicide by an intimate partner.
Often, survivors may not realize that they were strangled, they may disclose statements like: “I was choked,” “Just felt light headed,” “Hands were’’t around my neck, his leg was on my neck,” “Sleeper’s Hold”, “Pushed up against a wall by my neck”.
Myth: If it was a serious injury there would be visible marks.
The reality is that 50% of fatal strangulations had no physical signs. Emergency care should be taken if the survivor feels any changes in their breathing, coughing, voice, neck, throat, tongue, eyelids, behavior, movement, and more.
2. Myth: If you are able to speak, it is not strangulation.
3.Myth: Strangulation is not harmful – MMA and Military use sleeper holds regularly.
Strangulation always has the ability to become lethal in a short amount of time. Strangulation results in brain cell death within seconds
Please do not wait to seek help if strangulation has occurred-Call 911
What are my options if I’m in a violent relationship?
Call 911
If you are in immediate danger, dial 911. Help will come to you, wherever you are.
Contact Thrive Center (480) 269-0139
Thrives advocates provide free and confidential support services to anyone impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking & human trafficking.
What to expect when you call
Anyone can call Thrive Center, Thrive center advocates are there to provide support and information. Advocates can help survivors or concerned friends or family with things like safety planning or finding shelter, support groups, financial, medical, legal or social service resources. Many callers may just want someone caring to talk with who will listen and believe them. Advocates will share options and never pressure survivors to do anything they do not want to do.
Advocacy services include:
Safety planning
Mobile advocacy
Accompaniments to hospitals, police departments, courts, and advocacy centers
Support finding shelter/housing resources
Support groups
Individual support sessions
Restitution, helping victims obtain restitution and victim compensation
Orders of protection, assisting with obtaining orders of protection or injunctions against harassment
Case management
Therapeutic referrals
Victim impact statements, helping victims submit a victim impact statement
