Every 15 seconds in the U.S. a woman is beaten.
	Domestic violence results in more injuries that require medical attention than rape, accidents and muggings combined.
	Two in five women who are murdered are killed by their husbands.
	At least 95 percent of all cases of partner abuse involve a man beating a woman.
	Woman abuse happens in all classes and races. It occurs at every level of income and education.
	Violence in the home usually becomes more frequent and severe over time. The abuser’s apologies do not mean the violence will not occur again.
	Children who grow up in violent homes come to believe that violence is normal. They come to believe that it is an acceptable way to control someone else. The majority of adult violent prisoners were raised in violent homes.
	Violence is often part of a pattern of threats, insults, insane jealousy, explosive temper, and attempts to isolate and overpower the woman.

	MYTH: A man’s home is his castle. No one should interfere with the family. FACT: Battery is a crime! No one has the right to beat another person.
	MYTH: A woman who gets beaten brings it upon herself by nagging or provoking her spouse. FACT: People are beaten for reasons as ridiculous as: the dinner is cold; the TV was turned to the wrong channel; the baby was crying. Abusive people refuse to control their violent impulses. Even where the person may have reason to be angry, they have no right to express their anger violently.
	MYTH: A person who stays with an abuser after being beaten must like to be beaten. FACT: Being beaten hurts and no one likes it. There are many reasons why victims remain with abusers including their fear of further violence, the financial hardship of leaving, religious reasons, their emotional attachment to their partners, and their belief that families should stay together.

Massachusetts Homicides 2002

	Jan.	Feb.	March	April	May	June	July	Aug.	Sept.	Oct.	Nov.	Dec.
Women	1		1	3	1			3	1	1		1
Children										4
Men						1
Bystanders			1			2						1
Family												1
Cases Needing More Info
Total	1		2	3	1	3		3	1	5		3

Homicides 1991-2001

Year Women Children Men Bystanders Family Total

1991 21 3 2 1 2 29

1992 27 11 2 5 2 47

1993 23 4 5 1 2 35

1994 21 2 4 0 0 27

1995 31 3 6 4 2 46

1996 14 3 4 2 2 25

1997 16 3 2 1 2 24

1998 13 0 6 0 0 19

1999 20 2 0 12 0 34

2000 17 3 0 0 0 20

2001 11 0 4 2 0 17

An Order of Protection is a legal order from a judge used to help protect victims of domestic abuse. It contains "remedies" which order an abuser to take certain actions or prohibits him from taking certain actions. The abuser, listed as the "respondent," can be arrested for violating certain remedies listed in an order of protection. A protected person cannot be arrested for violating an Order of Protection.

	Contacting a local domestic violence program and asking for help. To locate the nearest program, call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
	Going to the local circuit clerk’s office and asking for help.
	Asking an attorney to file a petition in civil court (such as divorce court).
	Requesting an order after criminal charges have been filed.

	An Order of Protection may help. Consider these safety tips:
	Change the locks.
	Install a security system, smoke alarms and outside lights.
	Pre-program emergency numbers into the telephone.
	Tell neighbors and ask they call police right away if they see the abuser.
	Notify work and try to arrange for your calls to be screened.
	Report any violation of the Order of Protection right away. Call 9-1-1.

	Money, your checkbook, credit cards, ATM cards
	Identification (for self and the children): birth certificates, social security cards, welfare I.D., school and work I.D., green cards, work permits, etc.
	Important papers such as your divorce papers; school records; lease, rental agreement or house deed; and insurance papers
	Order of Protection–if you have one, keep it with you at all times.
	Medical records
	Medications (prescription and over-the-counter)
	Keys for car, house and work
	Change of clothing
	Address book
	Mortgage/rent payment book
	Current unpaid bills
	Pictures or other items of sentimental value
	Children’s favorite toys, blankets or other items

What Must the Police Do?

Police officers must take action to protect the victim of domestic abuse. This includes:

	Arrest the abuser when there is enough information to believe a crime has been committed.
	Accompany victim to remove personal belongings from their home and provide for the victim’s transportation to a safe place.
	Inform victim of the procedures and relief available and their right to file charges against the abuser
	Complete a police report and provide the officer’s name and ID# to victims.

Domestic Related Resource Links & Sites

	Violence Against Women in the United States
	National Domestic Violence Hotline
	Statistics on Domestic Violence
	Domestic Violence

Other Resources:

National Domestic Violence Coalition hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) TDD: 1-800-787-3224

 

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