Many people head to social media to raise awareness of the tragic prevalence of domestic violence in the U.S. and to connect and unite individuals and organizations working against the problem. And this has made a difference in the lives of many who might otherwise have no other resources available to them. Nevertheless, there is more we can do as individuals to assist those in these dangerous situations.
The Prevalence of Domestic Violence in the US
Just how prevalent is domestic violence in this country? Probably far more commonplace than you might expect, as these sobering statistics from the National Council Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) indicate.
- Nearly 20 people per minute, on average, are physically abused by an intimate partner in the U.S., equating to a total of more than 10 million men and women annually in this country.
- Approximately 1 in 3 women and 1 in four men have experienced some form of physical violence from an intimate partner.
- Further, 1 in 7 women and 1 in 25 men have been physically injured by an intimate partner.
- 1 in 10 women have been raped by an intimate partner (no statistics are available for males).
- 1 in 7 women and 1 in 18 men have been stalked by an intimate partner to the point of fearing being harmed or even killed.
- Women between the ages of 18 and 24 are most commonly the victims of domestic violence.
- Intimate partner violence accounts for 15 percent of all violent crime in the U.S.
- On a typical day, more than 20,000 calls are placed to domestic violence hotlines across the country.
- Only 34 percent of the individuals injured by an intimate partner receive medical care for their injuries.
Steps You Can Take
At first glance, these statistics present a bleak and seemingly hopeless situation, but as prevalent as domestic violence is, there are things that each of us can do to combat the problem.
Here are five suggestions for things you can do to try to prevent domestic violence, or at least how to help the victims of domestic violence.
- Promote awareness of domestic violence. You might, for example, suggest that your place of worship or your civic or social club host a speaker willing to provide information on this topic. Simply hearing supportive information may be enough to prompt someone who is in danger to reach out to friends and family for help.
- Work to break down social barriers. All too often, too many of us live rather isolated lives, rushing to and from work, driving our kids to their after school activities, while taking little time to get to know the people living right around us.
Consider throwing a block party to break down local social barriers and get to know the folks living next door or right up the street. Abuse thrives in isolation, and if you can break some of that isolation down, you might be able to provide invaluable emotional support to someone desperately needing it.
- Consider volunteering at a shelter. You can find a list of shelters in the San Antonio area for the victims of domestic violence here, and most of them would probably be happy to accept you as a volunteer if you have a few hours to share each week, or even each month.
- Make a donation. If you don’t have time for volunteer activities, you might make a donation to one of the domestic abuse shelters in your area. They are all nonprofit organizations, and nonprofits are almost always in need of funds to finance their programs. Every dollar you can spare will be put to good use helping the victims of domestic violence remove themselves from seriously abusive relationships. .
- Share information. One of the most important things you can share is the number of the National Domestic Violence Hotline, 800-799-7233. Counselors are available 24/7 to provide information about how to find a shelter as well as offering safety tips for domestic violence victims – and assistance is available in both English and Spanish.
Legal Assistance at Hernandez Law
At Hernandez Law, we abhor domestic violence in any form, yet we also know that for various reasons, innocent individuals are sometimes accused of committing acts of domestic violence.
If you have been wrongly accused of domestic violence, you need the assistance of an experienced domestic violence defense attorney in San Antonio, TX to stand by your side, and the lawyers at the Hernandez Law Office can provide that support and assistance.
Backed by years of experience, we can help protect your rights, and if you are facing false domestic violence charges, we urge you to reach out to our firm to schedule your initial free consultation.
If you find yourself falsely accused, don’t delay, contact the Hernandez Law Office today!
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