Anyone in a relationship can be a victim of domestic abuse. While most often it involves violence inflicted by men upon women, men can also be victimized by women. Domestic violence knows no boundaries and can affect relationships of almost any nature. Examples of DV are verbal putdowns, manipulation, humiliation, intimidation, being degraded, acts of jealousy, physical violence including hitting, slapping, and pushing, sexual assault, and not "allowing" a partner to do such things as contact family or friends, or have or spend money. Whenever a significant other is being abused, any children in the home also suffer abuse, emotionally and often physically.

Your mother, father, brothers, sisters, friends, nieces, nephews, cousins, anyone can be a victim.

Your mother, father, brothers, sisters, friends, nieces, nephews, cousins, anyone can be an abuser. An abuser can be of any age, race, religion, occupation, and so on.

If you or if you think someone you know is being abused call 911 immediately. Turn to a local crisis center for further assistance.

Wouldn’t a better question be….Why do they continue to be abused?

Victims tend to stay in an abusive relationship for many different reasons. Often the victim is fearful. "What will happen if I leave?" Apart from fear the victim may also be ashamed to admit that their relationship is not "picture perfect.”" Often the victim has the delusion that the abuser will change in time, or only the victim has the power to change the abuser. Denial is another factor that causes the victim to think violence is "normal" in serious relationships. Religion as well as family can be major influences on the victim "keeping the family unit together." Staying together for the children (myth: children need both a mother and a father). Financial concerns "how will I support myself or my children on my own?" Lack of confidence in one's self, feeling that they don’t have the strength required to break free.

Knowledge is power. Until you gain knowledge of domestic violence, you may become agitated at the situation. Many times looking into the situation from the outside allows one to see things that the victim does not. In many circumstances, the victim is unable to see the extent of the abuse they suffer. Understand that with domestic violence you cannot liberate the victim. Be supportive. Let the victim know that you are there for them. Allow them to know that you are concerned for their safety. Help them create an practice an escape plane. However, do not force such action onto them. Let them know that you trust their decisions. This gives the victim the knowledge that their thoughts and actions have power in their lives. As a result this can be a catalyst to eventually setting themselves free.