Resources
Even though you may personally not be suffering from relationship violence, chances are that you have known someone or will know someone who is. The best thing we can do as responsible individuals is educate ourselves on the subject of domestic violence. Education allows us to know the signs, what to do, and where to go for help when confronted with a domestic abuse situation. The knowledge we gain puts us into a position to empower ourselves, help others, and put an end to domestic violence.
Domestic abuse is a systematic process of humiliating, demeaning, and controlling another person through behaviors that cause fear and intimidation. Domestic abuse occurs between current or former intimate partners. Abuse often begins with verbal and/or emotional and may escalate to include physical and/or sexual abuse. Abuse is about power and control. Here are some behaviors that abusers may use to gain power and control over their victims:
INTIMIDATION: Frightens you with looks, actions and gestures. Smashes things and destroys your property. Abuses pets. Displays weapons.
ECONOMIC ABUSE: Prevents your getting or keeping a job. Gives you an allowance or makes you ask for money. Doesn't allow you to know about or have access to family income.
COERCION AND THREATS: Threatens to harm you. Threatens to leave, commit suicide or report you to welfare. Makes you drop charges or do illegal things.
MALE PRIVILEGE: Acts like the master and treats you like a servant. Makes all the big decisions. Defines and enforces men's and women's roles.
USES THE CHILDREN: Makes you feel guilty about the children and relays messages through them. Uses visitation to harass you. Threatens to take the children by charging you with neglect and abuse.
EMOTIONAL ABUSE: Calls you names privately or in public. Puts you down and makes you feel bad about yourself. Tries to make you think you're crazy. Tries to make you feel guilty.
ISOLATION: Controls what you do, who you see and talk to, what you read and where you go. Limits your outside involvement and uses jealousy as justification.
DENIAL & BLAME: Makes light of the abuse and doesn't take your concern seriously. Denies abuse occurred. Shifts responsibility for the abuse by blaming you.
Domestic Abuse Intervention Project. Duluth, MN. http://www.acadv.org/pcwheel.html
Domestic violence is a serious issue that concerns all of us.
Here are some general facts:
- Approximately 1.5 million women are physically assaulted by an intimate partner annually in the United States.
- 3 million children in the United States are exposed to domestic violence in their homes.
- Approximately 90% - 95% of domestic violence victims are women.
- 25,021 incidents of domestic abuse were reported in Wisconsin in 2000.
- 49 people were killed in Wisconsin domestic homicides in 2002.
All statistics were found at: www.wcadv.org/?go=gethelp/faqs
IF YOU NEED HELP CALL LOCAL RESOURCES!
IN OSHKOSH:
Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services: 235-5998
The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Counseling Center: 424-2061
Campus Violence Prevention Project (CVPP): 424-3127
Care Campus for Awareness and Relationship Education: 424-2061
The Crisis Hotline: 233-7707
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Police: 424-1212
UW Oshkosh Student Health Center: 424-2424
Hospital Emergency Room: (920) 223-2000 or 911
Remember, we can help fight domestic violence by educating ourselves on the subject. Great things happen when we all work together to stop domestic violence. If you are interested in an additional way to help stop domestic violence, please consider volunteering your time at the Christine Ann Center or with CARE/MENCARE on the UW Oshkosh Campus.
Special thanks to: Tina Kriesel and Jennifer Ellner, who compiled the following information for a UW Oshkosh course concerning domestic violence. It is presented here for your additional information and as part of a community service project for their class.