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The Reality...
One in four women experience violence over their lifetimes
(Council of Europe 2002)
Every minute in the UK, the police receive a call
from the public for assistance for Domestic Violence. However, only 35% of actual Domestic
Violence crime is reported to the police.
(Home Office 2003)
45% of rapes are carried out by current
partners
(Home Office 2002)
The link between child physical abuse and domestic
violence is high
(Humphreys and Thiara
2002)
In 90% of incidents of domestic violence, children
are in the same room or next room during the violent attack
(Hughes 1992)
In a study by Shelter, domestic violence was found to be the “single most quoted
reason for becoming homeless”
(Shelter 2002)
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Defining Domestic Violence
A woman is likely
to be experiencing some, if not all of the following:
Physical Violence
Includes pushing
the woman around, slapping, kicking, strangling, head-butting, burning with
cigarettes, battering, punching or using a knife or weapon. It can also involve violence towards
property or possessions, including throwing things, smashing up the house,
destroying possessions which mean a lot to the woman and cutting up her
clothes. Violence can also take
other forms either alone or in combination.
Psychological, Emotional or Verbal Abuse
The woman is constantly
criticised by her partner. He calls
her ugly, stupid, a bad mother etc.
He mocks, putting her down, humiliating her, ridiculing her in
company. He intimidates her, using
angry, threatening gestures (or looks when in public), driving the car recklessly
to scare her, threatening violence, self-inflicted injury or suicide. He shouts, swears, blames, and accuses
the woman of having affairs with anyone she speaks to. He threatens the
children, pets or her family/friends.
Social Abuse
The woman is
forced to live in an isolated fashion.
She is prevented from having social, family or other contact. The partner forbids family and friends
from visiting and makes it difficult for her to see them.
Economic Abuse
The partner
assumes all control of the finances and keeps the woman chronically short
of money. He claims the
benefits/wages is ‘his’, spending the family income on himself, not
allowing the woman access to money for essentials, sometimes humiliating her
by not giving her enough money to buy underwear or sanitary
protection. He sabotages her
attempts to get a job.
Sexual abuse
The man forces the
woman to perform sexual acts against her will. Uses pornography against her wishes, uses
force, threats or coercion to obtain sex.
Makes her perform sexual acts that are distasteful to her. Rapes, stabs, kill.
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However stressed, inadequate or
drunk, the man chooses a person who is at a physical, emotional and maybe
economic disadvantage to him (often taking care not to hit where the
injuries will show).
Frequently he will be charming to
others, making it difficult for the woman to persuade them that she is
being abused and causing other men to disbelieve that their friend,
relative, neighbour or workmate could be violent at home.
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Do YOU recognise or find yourself
caught up in any of the above situations?
No matter how
young or old you are...
WE can help YOU!
Please visit (or telephone ) SWACA ...in COMPLETE
confidence:
SWACA
166 Knowsley
Road
Bootle
L20 4NR
Tel: 0151 922 8606
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