Domestic Violence is a crime. It is not a personal matter. It is not a private family issue. We need to not look the other way. If you suspect someone you know is being abused, call the Rainbow House for resources. We can suggest ways you can reach out. If we can predict violence, we can prevent it. If you hear an incident occurring, call 911. The time in which a victim decides to leave a relationship is the most volatile. Most domestic violence incidents happen during or in the weeks to follow the end of a relationship. There are key things police officers can do to help survivors: validating their experiences, providing appropriate referrals, helping start the protective order process and arresting and/or charging the abuser.
Domestic violence is a pattern of sexual, physical, psychological, and/or emotional abuse used by one partner to gain control over the other. Women are more commonly victims of domestic violence than men, but both can experience domestic violence and abuse. Domestic violence occurs as frequently in LGBTQ relationships as in heterosexual relationships. Only about half of domestic violence incidents are reported to authorities. Whether you need to speak up on your own behalf or call on behalf of a loved one, reporting domestic violence is the first step to breaking its power.
