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Myths vs Facts

Myth
Domestic violence affects only a small portion of the population.
Facts
  • More than 10 million people are abused in the U.S. each year.
  • 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men in the United States experience severe physical violence by an intimate partner during their lifetime.
  • 2,630 victims were served in one day in Pennsylvania (2018).
  • The cost of domestic violence in the United States exceeds $5.8 billion each year, $4.1 of which is
    for direct medical care and mental health.
www.pcadv.org
Myth
Domestic violence only happens to uneducated, poor and minority families.
Fact
Domestic violence is an "equal opportunity offender." Domestic violence can happen to anyone
regardless of education, economic status, race, religion, age or sex.
Myth
Low self-esteem causes victims to get involved in abusive relationships.
Fact
There is little evidence that low self-esteem is a factor for initially becoming involved in an abusive
relationship. In reality, some victims of domestic violence experience a decrease in self-esteem
because their abusers are constantly degrading, humiliating, and criticizing them,
which also makes them more vulnerable to staying in the relationship.
Myth
It is easy to leave an abusive relationship.
Fact
One of the most dangerous times for a victim of domestic abuse is at the time of separation. Those who are abusive seek “power and control” over their partner. In attempting to leave, the victim is undermining
their partner’s “power and control”. To a batterer, this is the ultimate defiance or betrayal. They may
refuse to accept that their partner could or should live their life outside of their “power and control." This
type of batterer feels justified in preventing their partner from leaving them by any means necessary.
www.ncadv.org

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