UNEQUAL risk for abuse

According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, domestic violence is best defined as a pattern of abusive and controlling behavior than one partner uses against another in an intimate relationship. It includes physical, sexual and verbal abuse, economic coercion and other intimidating behaviors. Women I've spoken with (and a few abused men, too) have confided in their experiences what begins as verbal abuse develops into a complex repetoire. Further, according to the NDVH, while people of all races, ages, ethnicities and socio-economic status are affected, research indicates young women in poverty are at the highest risk. In part, this is because calling police, obtaining protective orders, or pursuing criminal charges DO NOT address the financial realities of living with violence. Women who live in povery know leaving an abusive partner may be the tipping point into homelessness and an inability to protect their children. Two decades of working with social services has exposed me to thousands of abused women and children; my observation that women stay for financial reasons more than fear for safety or other reasons. I would like readers to comment on their experiences, or people they know who have been in abusive relationships and why they stayed or what indicators led them to get out. Visit www.NDVH.org or call 1-800-799-SAFE for information on keeping those you love safe.