2. +
Almost 1 in every 4 women in the U.S. has been raped and/or
physically assaulted by a current or former spouse, live-in
partner, boyfriend, or date
On average, more than 3 women are murdered by husbands or
boyfriends every day in the U.S.
There are even greater numbers of verbal and emotional abuse
3. +
Violence Against Women
Any assault on a woman’s body, physical integrity, or freedom of
movement inflicted by an individual or through societal oppression
Physical, verbal, & emotional
Abuse
Rape
Sexual assault
Murder by partner/spouse
“honor” killings by a family member (for sexual activity or identity that
“dishonors” the family”
Forced sterilization
Female genital cutting
Stalking
Sexual coercion in the workplace
Preparing women and girls for prostitution through rape and psychological
manipulation
Trafficking of women and girls
4. +
Power & Control Wheel
One model used for understanding the dynamics of
violence and abuse
5. +
Intimate Partner Violence
Intimate and partner violence and battering, also known as
domestic violence, are among the most common yet least
reported crimes in the world
Often follows a pattern. Over time, the abuser sets the stage by
doing things that will make the partner increasingly susceptible to
coercion. These can include:
Exploiting vulnerabilities such as immigration status, childbirth,
financial debt, or illness
Wearing down resistance through emotional abuse or isolation from
family and friends
Increasing emotional dependency, for example, by inflicting injuries
and then caring for those injuries
6. +
Recognizing Abusive Behavior
Overprotective and jealous behavior
Emotional and economic abuse
Destructive criticism, verbal attacks, blaming, disrespect, insults
Intimidation/pressure tactics
Lying
Preventing you from getting or keeping a job
Stalking
Isolating you from friends and family
Threatening suicide or self-harm as a method of manipulation
Acts of violence
Making angry gestures
Sexual violence
Destroying objects
Physical violence
7. +
Making a Safety Plan
Carry important phone numbers
Find someone to tell
Think of 1 or 2 places where you can go & not be tracked down
if you need to leave in a hurry
If possible, open a bank account or keep a credit card in your
own name
Pack a bag with essentials
Rehearse an escape route– periodically review & update
8. +
Increasing Safety After You Leave
Withdraw as much money as you can
Use different routes as you go home, to work, or about your
daily tasks
Avoid the places that you know your abuser goes to often
Tell your child care provider who has permission to pick up your
kids
Get a protection order
Tell someone you trust at work about the abuse
9. +
Common Reactions to Experiencing
Violence
Self-blame and feelings of shame and guilt
Fear, terror, and feeling unsafe
Anger and rage
Anger turned inward, depression, and suicidal feelings
Substance abuse
Eating disorders
Physical symptoms
Self-harm
Grief and loss
Loss of control, powerlessness
Changes in sexuality and intimacy
10. +
Recovery
Reflecting on the following points can help move through the
healing process:
The violence was not your fault
You made the best choices you could
There is no right way to feel or heal
Healing takes time and there may be setbacks
You deserve support
11. +
Resources: Coping with Sexual
Assault
Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)
Rainn.org or 1-800-656-HOPE
National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC)
Nsvrc.org or 1-877-739-3895
National Dating Abuse Helpline
Loveisrespect.org or 1-866-331-9474
12. +
“There were eight of us girls pre-partying at a
friend’s house in our early 20s. I’m not sure
how we got to this point in the discussion,
but someone asked, “How many of us here
have been a part of sexual abuse or
violence?” To my surprise, seven of the eight
girls raised their hands. I don’t know why I
was surprised, since I was one of the seven,
but this moment is forever burned in my
mind”
13. +
Discussion Question
What do you think must be done in
order for women to feel more
comfortable leaving or reporting an
abusive relationship?
