Medical Monday - Domestic Abuse

October is Domestic Abuse Awareness month.

Here are some facts about domestic abuse offered by the YWCA:

• One in three women will experience abuse at the hand of a loved one during her lifetime.
• Every 9 seconds a woman is physically abused in the United States.
• Domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness for women.
• Tennessee ranks 10^th in the nation in the number of women murdered by men each year.
• Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women, exceeding rapes, muggings and auto accidents combined.
• Up to 10 million children witness some form of domestic violence annually.
• 80% of runaways come from homes where domestic violence occurs.
• 40% of girls ages 14 to 17 report knowing someone their age who has been hit or beaten by a boyfriend.
• 94% of men in jail have been witnesses or victims of domestic violence in their younger years.
• 64% of women who reported being raped, physically assaulted and /or stalked since age 18 were victimized by a current or former husband, co-inhabiting partner, boyfriend or date.

Would you recognize a victim of domestic violence?

• Common signs:
• Heavy makeup
• New bald spots
• Scrapes, bruises, cuts, or fractures
• Frequent injuries
• Loose or broken teeth
• Cigarette burns
• Bite marks
• Rope burns
• Welts with the outline of a belt buckle or other weapon

Could you be a victim?

Are you often afraid of your partner?

Is your partner overly jealous?

Do you avoid certain topics or spend a lot of time figuring out how to talk about certain topics so that you do not arouse your partner’s anger?

Do you ever feel that you can’t do anything right for your partner?

Is your partner controlling and won’t let you see your family and friends?

Does your partner insult you?

Do you sometimes wonder if you are the one who is crazy, that maybe you are overreacting to your partner’s behaviors?

Do you sometimes fantasize about ways to kill your partner to get him or her out of your life?

Are you afraid that your partner may try to kill you?

Do you feel that there is nowhere to turn for help?

Are you feeling emotionally numb?

Were you abused as a child, or did you grow up with domestic violence in the household?

Do you sometimes feel like you deserve to be physically hurt?

Are you afraid of losing your children and pets if you leave your partner?

Source: Edited from contributions of YWCA's around the country

If you think you could be a victim, the Nashville Police offer this quiz:

HAS ANY OF THE FOLLOWING EVER HAPPENED TO YOU?

Does your partner:

1. Blame everyone else especially you, for his or her mistakes?
   Yes___ No___
    
2. Prevent you from seeing your family or friends?
   Yes___ No___
    
3. Curse you, say mean things, mock you or humiliate you?
   Yes___ No___
    
4. Force you to have sex or force you to engage in sex that makes you feel uncomfortable?
   Yes___ No___
    
5. Restrain, hit, punch, slap, or kick you?
   Yes___ No___
    
6. Intimidate or threaten you?
   Yes___ No___
    
7. Ever prevent you from leaving the house, getting a job, or continuing your education?
   Yes___ No___
    

If you answered "yes" to ANY of these questions, you may be in an abusive relationship. The Domestic Violence Division of the Metropolitan Police Department can assist you in obtaining warrants, orders of protection and counseling.

Help is available.  

Contact your local YWCA at 615-242-1199 or at 1-800-334-4628 

In an emergency, always call 911.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY) is always open.

Nashville Police Domestic Violence Division (615) 880-3000

Information gathered by Laurie Tone, Siloam's Behavioral Health Consultant.