October has passed and along with it the recognized month to remember domestic violence. Many communities throughout the country had candle-light vigils to remember victims of domestic violence or walks at night to highlight the need for a safe community at any time of the day or night.
This is a sensitive topic and for those in domestic violence situations, such information could be threatening to an abuser.
IF YOU BELIEVE SOMEONE MONITORS THE COMPUTER YOU ARE PRESENTLY USING, PLEASE CLICK HERE TO LEARN ABOUT SAFE INTERNET USE. IF YOU THINK LINKING TO THIS ISSUE ON YOUR COMPUTER MAY COMPROMISE YOUR SAFETY PLEASE SHUT THIS PAGE DOWN AND GO TO A LIBRARY OR OTHER SAFE PLACE TO ACCESS LINKS ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND GET HELP IMMEDIATELY.
The need to recognize the signs of domestic violence in one’s life or someone else’s never ends and the importance of discussing the issue within the community never ends either.
In an effort to help people hold in their minds the importance of awareness of domestic violence we’ve compiled a list of statistics on domestic violence in New Hampshire and some links for further information. If you are or know someone who may be in a relationship or living in a family or cohabiting with an abusive person, please read the information below so that you can be a positive catalyst for change in someone’s life or find help for yourself.
Even if you know no one who is suffering from violence or abuse or aren’t suffering from domestic violence yourself, arming yourself with the facts below and going further into the links to learn more will open your eyes to the real terrorism against women: violence at home. Armed with the proper information you can be a fighter for change!
Please read on:
First some statistics on domestic violence incidents nationally and in New Hampshire:
– According to the National Network to End Domestic Violence, 3 women die everyday due to domestic violence
– According to the Domestic Violence Intervention Program a woman is beaten every 9 seconds in the US
– From the same site, “An AMA report shows that every five years as many women are killed by their intimate partners as men, and women killed in the Viet Nam War … 54,000.”
– Cases of domestic violence cross race and class lines leading to the well known conclusion that people of all races and classes throughout America are potential victims of domestic violence.
– In 85% of domestic violence cases women are the victims – National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
– According to the 9th NH Domestic Violence Fatality Review of 2012, while New Hampshire has a low homicide rate “domestic violence is a causal factor in 92% of the state’s homicides and suicides.”
– Women were victims in 67% percent of domestic violence fatalities in New Hampshire with 56% being by a partner and 31% by a family member.
– Out of the 53% of cases in which the perpetrator had a known history of domestic violence, only 6% of their victims had sought crisis center services prior to their death with only 4% having any protective order in place,
– Over half of the perpetrators of a domestic violence fatality had no known history of any substance abuse.
– In all cases nationally, the presence of a firearm in the home exponentially increases the incidence of serious injury or death of the victim.
What can I do?
If you suspect you or a close friend or relative are a victim of domestic violence or see it creeping up in a relationship, please seek help or assistance in getting help for someone. Resources exist in New Hampshire and below are some links to assist in your search.
New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic Violence
How do you know if you are in an abusive relationship?
Click here for a quiz to take on your relationship profile and an interesting graphic; the Power and Control Wheel helps in visualizing the development of violence in a relationship.
If you know someone at your workplace possibly suffering from abuse, what should you do?
This informational pamphlet has tips on how to help someone you work with who might be experiencing violence at home. Domestic Violence: A Guide for Employees
If you live outside of New Hampshire, below are national resources as well that can guide you to help locations and contacts within your state:
National Network to End Domestic Violence
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Progressive Action New Hampshire 