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Serving the communities of Amelia,
Brunswick, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Dinwiddie, Halifax,
Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Nottoway, Powhatan, and Prince Edward
Offering:
Emergency Shelter - 27 Beds
24 Hour Hotline
Referrals
Victim Advocacy
Education through our Local Schools
MYTHS AND
FACTS ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Myth: Domestic violence is about
couples getting into a brawl, beating each other up, and totally
disrupting the neighborhood.
Fact: In domestic violence, one
partner is intimidating, controlling, and beating the other.
It's not just the physical violence, but a pattern of domination and
intimidation.
Myth: Domestic violence does not
affect many people.
Fact: Domestic violence is the
most common crime in the United States, affecting at least four
million women each year.
Myth: Domestic violence mainly occurs among poor urban
populations.
Fact: Domestic violence occurs in
all economic classes, regardless of educational level, race, culture,
age, or occupation. Upper class families tend to try to hide the
problem.
WHY
DO WOMEN STAY WITH MEN WHO BEAT THEM
Many victims do not want the
relationship to end; they only want the violence to end and their
partner to change. Common factors and obstacles which play a part
in a battered women's decision to stay in the relationship or leave her
assailant may include:
Economics
Wants a father for the children
Religious values and beliefs concerning the marriage
Love for her partner
Belief that the violence is deserved and is just punishment
Nowhere to go; lack of job skills, housing, transportation, money
FEAR - for her own safety and the safety of children or others
WHAT CAN I DO IF I KNOW
SOMEONE IN AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP
Believe her; be supportive and let her talk about her situation
Reassure her that she does not deserve the abuse; it's not her fault
Contact the hotline number above
Help
her find a safe place to go in case she needs it, now or later
Educate yourself and others about domestic violence
WHY
DO MEN BATTER
Maintain power, control, and domination
Learned behavior in response to anger, stress, and conflict
No
accountability or consequences from society for the use of violence
toward family members
Learned negative value based regarding the status of women
WHAT
ARE COMMON CHARACTERISTICS OF MEN WHO BATTER
Low self esteem
Extreme jealousy
Witnessed abuse in the home as a child
Blames the victims/others for his use of violence
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