Family violence can happen to anyone. It is an epidemic that crosses all socio-economic, ethnic and religious groups. In fact, 1 in 3 women have been victims of domestic violence at some point in their lives (Journal of American Medical Association, 2001). In addition, domestic violence is not limited to adults. Over 40% of male and female high school students reported they had been victims of dating violence at least once (National Center for Victims of Crime, 2004).
Signs and symptoms of family violence or dating violence
You are ridiculed, put down, made fun of or belittled
You are not free to come and go as you wish
Your possessions are damaged
You are verbally attacked or accused
You are spied on, followed or harassed
You or your children are emotionally deprived
You are isolated from family and friends
You are forced to have sex against your will
You are refused help when you are sick or injured
Your finances are restricted
You are left in a dangerous place
You or your children are pushed, shoved, slapped, kicked, strangled or threatened with a weapon
What you can do to protect yourself and your children
1. Call 911 if you are in danger or need help
2. If you are injured, go to a hospital emergency room or doctor and report what happened to you or your children. Ask that they take photos and document your visit in writing.
3. Know where you can go for help and tell someone what is happening to you. Have the phone numbers of friends, relatives and domestic violence programs with you.
4. Plan with your children and identify a safe place for the.: a room with a lock or a neighbors house where they can go for help. Reassure them their job is to stay safe and not to protect you.
5. Arrange a signal with a trustworthy neighbor. For example, if the porch light is on during the day, call the police.
6. Keep any evidence of physical abuse such as ripped clothes, photos of bruises and injuries, etc.
7. Keep important items with someone you trust:
spare set of keys
birth certificates
drivers license
social security card
some money
set of clothes
immunization records
insurance papers
prescriptions
passports
checkbook
food stamps
8. Plan the safest time to get away
9. Contact a local domestic violence program to find out about laws, shelters and other resources available to you before you have to use them. A local domestic violence program in Tarrant County is Safehaven 877-701-7233. To locate other domestic violence programs you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233.
You are ridiculed, put down, made fun of or belittled
You are not free to come and go as you wish
Your possessions are damaged
You are verbally attacked or accused
You are spied on, followed or harassed
You or your children are emotionally deprived
You are isolated from family and friends
You are forced to have sex against your will
You are refused help when you are sick or injured
Your finances are restricted
You are left in a dangerous place
You or your children are pushed, shoved, slapped, kicked, strangled or threatened with a weapon
What you can do to protect yourself and your children
1. Call 911 if you are in danger or need help
2. If you are injured, go to a hospital emergency room or doctor and report what happened to you or your children. Ask that they take photos and document your visit in writing.
3. Know where you can go for help and tell someone what is happening to you. Have the phone numbers of friends, relatives and domestic violence programs with you.
4. Plan with your children and identify a safe place for the.: a room with a lock or a neighbors house where they can go for help. Reassure them their job is to stay safe and not to protect you.
5. Arrange a signal with a trustworthy neighbor. For example, if the porch light is on during the day, call the police.
6. Keep any evidence of physical abuse such as ripped clothes, photos of bruises and injuries, etc.
7. Keep important items with someone you trust:
spare set of keys
birth certificates
drivers license
social security card
some money
set of clothes
immunization records
insurance papers
prescriptions
passports
checkbook
food stamps
8. Plan the safest time to get away
9. Contact a local domestic violence program to find out about laws, shelters and other resources available to you before you have to use them. A local domestic violence program in Tarrant County is Safehaven 877-701-7233. To locate other domestic violence programs you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233.
- Lisa Estrella
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