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Alcohol, drug abuse, stress, and mental illness cause domestic violence.
Fiction!
Alcohol use, drug use, and stress do not cause domestic violence; they may go along with domestic violence, but they do not cause the violence. Abusers often say they use these excuses for their violence.
Some people deserve to be hit.
Fiction!
No one deserves to be abused. The only person responsible for the abuse is the abuser. Physical violence, even among family members, is wrong and against the law
Domestic violence is a personal problem between a husband and a wife or between partners.
Fiction!
Domestic Violence affects everyone in the family. It is estimated that 3.3 million children in the US witness domestic violence every year.
Witnessing domestic violence means only seeing it.
Fiction!
Witnessing can mean SEEING violence. It can mean HEARING threats or fighting noises from another room. It can mean that children OBSERVE the aftermath of physical abuse such as blood, bruises, tears, torn clothing, and broken items.
The emotional responses of children who witness domestic violence may include fear, guilt, shame, sleep disturbances, sadness, depression, and anger
Fact!
Sidenote: Domestic violence is never a child’s fault. The person who chose to be violent is the one at fault.
Domestic violence is a “loss of control.”
Fiction!
Violent behavior is a choice. Perpetrators use it to control their victims. Domestic violence is about abusers using their control, not losing their control.
Children never get over witnessing domestic violence.
Fiction!
Children may never forget what happened but with treatment, they can go on to have normal lives and healthy relationships.
Children often have mixed feelings about the person who is being violent, esp. if they are a parent.
Fact!
They might feel confused because they feel anger, love, fear and respect at the same time for the same person.
You can tell by looking at someone if they will be violent.
Fiction!
You can’t tell by looking at someone if they will be violent. BUT, if a person has hit once in a relationship, they are likely to do it again.
Children who have witnessed domestic violence may have stomachaches and/or headaches, wet the bed, and lose the ability to concentrate.
Fact!
These are very common physical responses.
Domestic violence is only physical.
Fiction!
Abusive actions against another person can be verbal, emotional, sexual, and physical.
One in ten children in the U.S. are exposed to domestic violence, and the majority of them are under six years old.
Fact!