Domestic Violence

WHAT IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE?

Domestic violence is a crime. It is the physical harm, bodily injury, assault or infliction of fear of imminent physical harm, bodily injury or assault between household or family members. Domestic violence occurs in a cycle. Battering is an intentional act used to gain power and control over the other person.

THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE

Stage I – Tension Building
Tension exists between the family members. It is displayed by the batterer becoming increasingly irritable, jealous, or threatening.

Stage II – Explosion
The battering incident. The tension becomes unbearable and is uncontrollably discharged.

Stage III – The Honeymoon
The batterer is extremely loving and apologetic. Gifts are often given along with promises that the abuse will never happen again. Then it begins again.

The precipitating factor is usually some event unrelated to the victim's behavior. Clear Creek County has a domestic violence policy mandating physical arrest and formal charges for those who commit domestic violence.

FACTS ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

• Spouse abuse occurs once every 18 seconds in the United States.
• Family violence occurs in all socio-economic, ethnic, racial and age groups.
• Domestic violence is not sex biased. Although the majority of victims are women, men are frequently abused by their partners.
• 6 million American women are beaten each year by their husbands or boyfriends. 4,000 of them are killed.
• 60% of all marriages have some form of domestic violence, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Abuse is not only physical, it may include verbal, emotional, mental and sexual violence.
• Of the children who witness domestic violence, 60% of the boys eventually become batterers and 50% of the girls become victims, statistics from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
• The victim lives in terror of the batterer. Survival becomes the main objective. Therefore, the victim develops strong coping mechanisms such as believing the batterer's reasons for abusing and clinging to a hope for change

While you were reading this... 4 women were severely beaten.

CHILDREN OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

80% of prisoners in today's jails grew up in violent homes. We can stop the cycle of violence in this generation with counseling and support for our children.

Clear Creek County Advocates offers a free Children's Support Group for children ages 5 to 18 who have been traumatized emotionally and/or physically. Counseling and support in a confidential group setting one night a week.

Traumatized children may display some of the characteristics:

• Excessive minimization and denial
• Attempt to be too perfect, become depressed and withdrawn
• Hitting, stealing, lying
• Externalize or internalize anger
• High risk for alcohol/drugs, sexual acting out, running away, isolation, loneliness, fear
• Low self esteem and poor social skills, child feels powerless
• Little understanding of dynamics of violence, assumes it is the norm.
• Blames self for family fighting divorce, financial problems and violence.

Phone: (303) 679-2426
Fax: (303) 569-1105