About Domestic Violence

What Is Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence is a pattern of behaviors used by one partner to maintain power and control over another partner in an intimate relationship.

PHYSICAL & SEXUAL VIOLENCE

sexual coercion, battery

PSYCHOLOGICAL ABUSE

isolation, stalking, surveillance, demeaning, ridicule

FINANCIAL CONTROL

restricting access to income,

controlling all bank accounts

Who Is Affected?

WOMEN WHO EXPERIENCE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE:

68% Bisexual

43% Lesbian

40% African American

35% Heterosexual

33% Latina

30-50% Transgender

The Problem

Domestic violence and emotional abuse are harmful behaviors in which one person in a relationship manipulates and controls the other. This abuse exists across the spectrum of gender and relationships: heterosexual and homosexual couples, married and unmarried couples, and those living together, dating, or separated.

Common behaviors include physical harm, threats, intimidation, verbal abuse, and stalking.

Though anyone can be a victim of domestic violence, nearly 95% are women.

Domestic violence is a serious problem affecting women
on a local, national and state level.

Victims who remove themselves from abusive situations often must also tear themselves away from their homes, neighborhoods and communities.

Lacking other options for shelter,
victims often stay in abusive situations.

Knowing that they do not have any alternatives will ensure that fewer women facing domestic violence will reach out for help. More options must be available for them to seek help.

The Solution

In order for victims of domestic violence to recover from their trauma and once again become productive members of society, they must have access to

supportive and affordable housing.

Communities must respond with the resources they need so that women can empower themselves to leave harmful environments and get back on their feet.

There are not enough resources available

for women seeking safe space,

both nationally and at a local level.

14.9% of the chronically homeless population in Middlesex County last year were victims of domestic violence. According to the Middlesex County Homelessness Count (conducted on January 27, 2015), 61 homeless households reported being victims of domestic violence.

Town Clock CDC helps to address this need.

Dina's Dwellings provides ten apartment units of affordable, permanent housing to ensure that women and children can safely leave abusive situations for good, and we have expanded into an additional space, the Barbara Littman House, with the goal of growing even further while building a national model for other municipalities, housing corporations, and places of worship to duplicate.

The Need

57%

of homeless women

cite domestic violence as cause of their homelessness

33%

of women

have experienced domestic violence in their lifetime

- National Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Children Are Affected

6x more

50% more

likely to commit suicide

likely to abuse drugs and alcohol

74% more

3x more

likely to commit a violent crime

likely to repeat the

cycle of abuse in adulthood

- Childhood Domestic Violence Association