You may be surprised that domestic violence and sexual abuse occurs in homes of wealth and homes of lesser means, in families of all races, among people of all ages, and even amidst those with strong religious beliefs.

Know the Facts

• Nearly 1/3 of American women report being physically or sexually assaulted by a husband or boyfriend at some point in their lives.
• One in five adolescent girls will be physically and/or sexually assaulted in a dating relationship.
• Seventy percent of the children in homes where there is abuse are also physically abused.
• According to the FBI, a woman is beaten in this country every 15 seconds.
• A husband or partner murders a woman in Texas every 2.3 days.
• Nationally, domestic violence kills over 3,000 women each year.
• Nearly 2 million Texas females have been sexually assaulted.
• Only 18% of victims report sexual assaults to law enforcement officials.
• Not all victims are women. Men can also be subjected to domestic violence and sexual assault.

At the Crisis Center, we work with you to change these statistics by providing safety for survivors, as well as help for the batterers.

Know the Types of Abuse

Physical abuse – hitting, kicking, choking, being slammed against a wall or injured with a weapon or some other object.

Psychological abuse – living in fear, hearing threats of violence, being harassed at work, having treasured possessions destroyed, even suicide threats from the abuser.

Emotional abuse – constant criticism and/or derogatory comments, unjustified blaming, excessive attempts to control, put-downs in front of friends and family.

Sexual abuse or marital rape – forced to perform sexual acts or having pain inflicted during intercourse.

Financial abuse – having no access to money, no say in how money is spent or saved, no decision-making regarding purchases.

Stalking – mind games to cause fear and gain cooperation from the target.

Know the Affect of Domestic Violence on Children

Seventy percent of boys raised in homes where there is violence grow up to be batterers and 70% of the girls grow up to be victims.

• Children worry that their mothers will get seriously hurt or that their fathers will go to jail.
• These thoughts weigh most heavily on a child’s mind during school hours, when the child is not at home.
• Children who live with domestic violence may also have a difficult time relating to their peers.
• It is not uncommon for children to feel guilty for having fun, as many children do not want to leave their battered mother alone.
• If intervention does not occur, children’s feelings of worry, guilt, sadness, and embarrassment will begin to take command of their lives.

Are you a victim of domestic abuse? Consider the following:

1. Do you often blame yourself for your spouse’s problems?
2. Are you secretive, even with good friends, about your relationship with your spouse or boyfriend/girlfriend?
3. Does it make you nervous if you know you’re going to be late getting home?
4. Has your husband or boyfriend/girlfriend’s anger ever frightened you?
5. Have you made excuses to isolate yourself from other people?
6. Does your spouse constantly monitor your activities?
7. Do you believe it is your responsibility to keep the family together, no matter what?
8. Are your children overly protective of you?
9. Is your spouse or partner excessively jealous?
10. Has your spouse or partner ever threatened to hurt you?

We are here if you want to talk.