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Love Shouldn’t Hurt: Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2022

By: Z Family Law

 

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, so-designated as a time to raise awareness about the prevalence of domestic violence, advocate for protection, acknowledge survivors, and remember victims. Because many abused persons suffer in silence as a result of fear, intimidation, or shame, domestic violence may seem like an isolated issue that affects only a small proportion of the population. Sadly, the reality is that domestic violence happens at near-epidemic proportions in the U.S., and does not discriminate; anyone of any age, gender, race, religion, or socioeconomic status can be a victim of abuse by an intimate partner. In the U.S., an average of 20 people experience intimate partner physical violence every minute, equating to more than 10 million abuse victims annually.

 

What is Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence (“DV”), or intimate partner violence (“IPV”) is defined as “willful intimidation as part of a systemic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another.” Domestic violence takes many forms, including physical assault or intimidation, emotional abuse, verbal abuse, sexual abuse, financial abuse, threats, and efforts to control the victim’s life, decisions, and circumstances. DV can result in physical injury, psychological trauma, and even death.

The Impacts of Domestic Violence

The impacts of domestic violence can be wide-ranging and long-lasting. The physical, mental, and emotional scars of abuse can last a lifetime, and even cross generations, perpetuating cycles of abuse and trauma. On a broader level, intimate partner violence has been estimated to cost the US economy between $5.8 billion and $12.6 billion annually. This includes medical and mental health care costs, lost productivity, and other direct and indirect costs incurred as a result of IPV. 

 

In addition to direct physical injury caused by abuse and assault, victims of IPV have a higher risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, as a result of forced intercourse and/or prolonged stress, and abuse victims have a higher rate of depression and suicidal behavior than nonabused persons.  

Many survivors experience significant financial impacts, including job instability and job loss, loss of income, accrual of debt, and damaged credit, among other things, and research shows abuse can even impede educational attainment. Further, because domestic violence so often occurs at a person’s home, it can be difficult for victims to find safe residence away from their abusers, trapping them in unsafe situations, or leaving them without housing. In fact, DV is a leading cause of homelessness – in DC, 42% of unhoused adults surveyed in 2021 cited a history of domestic violence as a primary reason they were homeless. 

Domestic Violence Resources

Domestic violence and abuse is unacceptable. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available 24/7. For free, confidential and anonymous assistance, contact any of the organizations listed below. You can also seek immediate assistance at a local police station, an emergency room, or by calling 911.

For assistance seeking protection through the court system in Maryland, contact Z Family Law by calling (301) 388-5528.

For Victims

National Resources

  • Women’s Shelters
    Has a nationwide directory of emergency, family, and transitional shelters for women

 

Maryland

  • AYUDA
    Provides services by telephone for immigrant survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and sexual assault
    240-594-0600
  • 2-1-1 Maryland
    Call 211 for help, or text your zip code to 898-211
    More domestic violence resources are available here

 

Montgomery County

  • Montgomery County Police Department Domestic Violence Unit
    240-773-5050

 

District of Columbia

  • D.C. Victim Hotline
    To reach the hotline, dial or text 1-844-4HELPDC (1-844-443-5732)
    Access their online chat here
  • DC Safe
    For a list of community resources, click here
    To talk to a SAFE advocate about filing for a Civil Protection Order, call (202) 879-0157
  • House of Ruth (D.C.)
    If you need safe shelter, call 202-667-7001, ext. 320 or email intake@houseofruth.org
    For domestic violence counseling services, call their Domestic Violence Support Center at 202-667-7001, ext. 515
  • AYUDA
    Provides services by telephone for immigrant survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and sexual assault
    202-387-4848

 

Help for Abusers

 
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