(760) 955-8010 P.O. Box 2825, Victorville, CA 92393-2825
85% - 95% of all domestic violence victims are female
Over 5000,00 women are stalked by an intimate partner each year
5.3 million women are abused each year
As many as 324,000 women each year experiance domestic violence during their pregnancy
1,232 women each year are killed by an intimate partner
Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women
Women are more likely to be attacked by someone that they know rather than by a stranger
An estimated 5.3 million cases of domestic violence occur among U.S. women 18 and older each year, resulting in nearly 2 million injuries
On average, more than three women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends in the U.S. every day
In a survey by the US Conferance of Mayors, 56% of cities surveyed cited domestic violence as a primary cause of homelessness
50% to 70% of men who abuse women also abuse children
Homicide is the leading cause of death for women in the workplace
Of the aproximately 1.7 million incedents of workplace violence that occur in the U.S. every year, 18,700 are commited by an intimate partner: a current or former spouse, lover, partner or boyfriend/girlfriend
Things you can't do to stop domestic violence...
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE STATISTICS
The FBI reports 4 women a day are beaten to death by their partners
According to The March of Dimes: domestic violence is the #1 cause of birth defects--More than all other medical causes combined
An estimated 3 to 4 million American women are battered each year by their partners
Domestic violence occurs among all races and socio-economic groups
Where to Go...
The caring staff at "A Better Way" can provide safety, support and basic needs for you and your cdhildren at this difficult time in your life.
You can't change your partner's behavior!
You can not stop your partner's violence toward you. Your partner is in control of his or her own actions just as you are in control of yours.
You can't stay in an abusive relationship and be safe!
Without intervention, family violence becomes more frequent and severe.
You can't do the "right thing" to please the abuser!
It's not about you! The choice to abuse lies with the abuser.
You can't save the relationship by yourself!
You can go to counseling, you can do whatever it takes to try to make things better--but it takes TWO people to make a relationship work.
You can't forgive and forget!
It only gives the abuser license to strike again. If the abuser suffers no consequences, they have no reason to stop.
You can't shield your partner from the consequences of abusive behavior!
"My partner didn't really mean it...this time, officer!" If the abuser doesn't really want to change the behavior, it doesn't matter how much they beg or plead to avoid going to jail. THE ABUSER WILL DO OR SAY ANYTHING TO AVOID FACING THE CONSEQUENCES!
You shouldn't respond to violence with violence!
Violence is NOT an appropriate or helpful response to another person's actions or words.
But, remember...if you are in extreme fear for your life...you have the right to defend yourself!
Remember...
If domestic violence has made you angry, this is good! Your well-directed anger at this mis-treatment is an acknowledgement of your own self worth.
