Domestic violence is not an isolated, individual event, but rather a pattern of repeated behaviors. Assaults are repeated against the same victim by the same perpetrator.

588,490 women a year; 1,612 a day, an average of 67 women are victimized by an intimate partner every hour.

Forms of assault

	Physical
	Emotional
	Sexual
	Economic

Domestic Violence is about Power and Control

The batterer chooses a range of abusive tactics to maintain power and control over the victim These tactics are reinforced by violence or the constant threat of violence'

Why do women stay?

“Because I am afraid”

		“He threatens to kill me if I leave.”
		“He threatens to kidnap the children if I leave.”
		“He threatens to take custody of the children.”
		“He has threatened to hurt my family members if I leave.”

A woman’s chances of being killed increase by 75% when she attempts to leave her abuser.

“I’ve never really been on my own.”

		“I’m the type who gets really lonely without someone around.”
		“At least I know he will come home every night.”
		“My biggest fear is being alone. Am I the only person this happens to?”

Loneliness is a real fear for many people. And no you are not alone! Estimates have shown that over 50% of all marriages involve some degree of physical abuse of women.

“ Because I still love him.”

		“I’m not beaten everyday. There are plenty of good times in between."
		“He always says he is sorry and says he will make it up to me.”
		“ I am responsible for the battering because I nag and provoke the situation.”
		“Maybe I could try harder.”
		“I could listen to what he says and try to do better.”
		“Maybe stay out of his way - then he wouldn’t hit me anymore.”
		“I just need to do what he says and keep my mouth shut.”
		“My biggest fear is being alone. Am I the only person this happens to?”

"Besides, we’ve shared a lot together… he is the father of my children.”

“I STAY BECAUSE I HOPE THAT THINGS WILL GET BETTER AND THAT HE WILL CHANGE.”

I stay because....

HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL.