|
Domestic violence is abuse which occurs between family members or persons who are related or persons who, under certain circumstances, live together. According to the American Crime Prevention Institute, domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women, surpassing rape, muggings, and auto accidents combined. The following statistics relate to domestic violence in America:
- Every nine seconds a woman is beaten in America.
- At least two million women a year are assaulted by husbands or boyfriends. Of these women, 25-45% are battered during pregnancy.
- Three to four million women will be physically battered at least once in their lifetimes.
- Twenty percent of emergency room visits by women are for injuries caused by battering.
- Of men who batter women, 45-75% also batter children.
- Ten women are killed every day in domestic violence.
- Three out of four women murdered are killed by their husbands.
Persons who have been victims of domestic violence should have an escape plan to enable them to get away from the aggressor:
- Avoid arguments in spaces hard to escape from.
- Plan the fastest way out of the house.
- Know that you can ask for a police stand-by or escort while you leave.
- Plan where you would go in an emergency (friends, family, neighbors, RACS).
- Leave money, car keys, clothing, and copies of documents with someone you trust and
put aside emergency money as you can.
- Keep an emergency bag ready. It can include: necessary medications, driver’s license, birth certificates, social security cards, citizenship documents, extra cash, checkbook, credit cards (or a list of them), info. about bank accounts and other assets, an extra set of clothes for you and your kids.
- Keep change with you at all times.
- Rehearse an escape plan with your children, including a meeting place.
- Teach your kids to use 911. Tell them that their job is to stay safe, not to protect you, and identify a safe place for them to go (a room with a solid-core door and deadbolt, a neighbor's home, etc.).
- Tell a trusted neighbor of your situation and arrange a signal or code to use when you’re in danger (porch light on in daytime, certain window shade down).
- If you have an order of protection, always keep a copy with you.
Remember to contact the police to report incidents or threats of violence. Police officers will advise you of your options in reference to safe houses and how to go about getting orders of protection. Feel free to contact the Victim's Advocate listed below for further assistance.
Here Are Some Facts About Crime...
Crime is on the increase in most large U.S. cities. It is also becoming more prevalent in small communities.
Thinking that it can only happen to someone else and doing nothing to prepare yourself or take precautionary measures in case makes you the perfect victim criminals are looking for.
Making yourself less of a target is simpler than you might think.
Defense sprays like pepper spray or mace spray and weapons like air tasers and stun guns, when properly used can significantly improve your chances of escaping or minimizing dangerous situations involving attackers and assailants.
Pepper spray, made with Oleoresin Capsicum (hence the name OC pepper spray ), is probably the most basic personal protection product. We recommend that you look here for self defense products that we know to be of very good quality and sold through a reputable company.
The "safeguards" and tips available to you here will help protect you - and may even save your life!
Rape & Abuse Crisis Service : Hotline/634-4911 Office/634-8346 or toll free (800) 303-0013 or visit: www.racsjc.org
Cole County Victim's Advocate (N. Nunn/634-9186 ext. 3225)
Dept. of Justice, Office of Violence Against Women
Domestic Violence Awareness Handbook
Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence
Missouri Safe at Home Program (Address Confidentiality Program)
National Center for Victims of Crime
List of Missouri victim assistance services
National Sexual Assault Hotline 800-656-4673
Domestic Violence Hotline 800-799-SAFE
This new, nationwide toll-free hotline will provide immediate crisis intervention, counseling, and referrals to emergency shelters and services.
|
