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Do you know the truth about domestic violence? Take the quiz now!

Can You Debunk 11 Myths About Domestic Violence?

Every 1 in 3 women and every 1 in 4 men are victims of domestic violence, stalking, physical violence, or rape during their lifetime. On average, 24 people per minute are victims of physical violence from an intimate partner in the United States and every 9 seconds a woman is beaten. That adds up to more than 12 million women and men per year.

Domestic Violence would never happen to me!

It is true that 95% of domestic violence is reported by women, but that does not mean there are never women who abuse their partners. After all, 35% of lesbian relationships involve battery. Calling the victim of domestic violence an easy target only perpetuates the idea that it is their fault and that they should have been more on guard.

Women are docile, nonviolent people who are easy targets for abusers.

Battery is about establishing control and fear over the other partner and does not happen on accident. Any violence is deliberate and focused. Battery cases are rarely isolated events, and often escalate after the first time.

Domestic violence is just loss of temper and self-control. They don’t really mean to be abusive.

Don’t be fooled! While every 1 in 3 women are victims of domestic violence, stalking, physical violence, or rape during their lifetime, they are not the only ones. In fact, every 1 in 4 men are victims of this same crime as well. Also, it is likely that these rates are even higher for men but they choose not to report it as often.

Women are always the victim.

Many factors can affect a person’s decision to stay in or leave an abusive environment-- including economic, social, religious, and legal reasons. Leaving an abuser can also be very dangerous. In the 2 weeks following leaving an abuser, women are 70x more likely to be killed than any other time during the relationship.

A person who is being abused should just leave!

51.1% of women who have experienced rape reported their intimate partner as the perpetrator, and 40.8% reported an acquaintance. For men, 52.4% reported being raped by an acquaintance, and only 15.1% by a stranger.

Someone I know and trust would never sexually assault me.

According to the CDC, 4 main types of intimate partner violence exist: physical violence, sexual violence, threats of violence, and psychological or emotional violence. Emotional abuse can include isolating the victim, coercive and controlling behavior, and stalking.

Domestic violence is always physical.

The rates of intimate partner violence for lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals is similar to that of heterosexual relationships, at about 35%. Male victims of domestic abuse are typically victimized by male intimate partners.

Domestic violence is only a problem in heterosexual relationships.

Children who witness domestic violence NOT ONLY are 3x more likely to be violent toward their partner than a child coming from non-violent parents, but also are 15x more likely to be physically and/or sexually assaulted than the national average. Domestic violence hurts many more people than just the victim.

Children who experience or witness domestic violence would never grow up to be batterers.

Being possessive and jealous of a partner can be an indicator that they have controlling tendencies that can lead to violence and abuse, as well as shows their ability to view their partner as an object they can control.

Possessiveness and jealousy are completely normal and shows he/she cares.

Often victims are told that they were responsible for their abuse because they would provoke their partners, either on accident or on purpose. No amount of provocation, real or imagined, is ever a valid excuse for criminal behavior. The abuser always chooses to be violent, and that is their fault, not the victim’s.

Victims always get what they deserve because they tend to ask for it.

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Can You Debunk 11 Myths About Domestic Violence?

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