Family Life Office

Anyone can be a victim of domestic violence: old, young, rich, poor, married, single, Hispanic, white, black, professionals, unemployed, celebrities. For women aged 15 to 44, domestic violence is the leading cause of injury. In 2002, Ohio law enforcement agencies responded to 57,128 Domestic Dispute Calls. 29.37% ended in arrests while 30.55% were referred to social service agencies. 23.91% of the victims were wives, 20.91% were live-in partners.

Children living in a home where the mother is abused are also more likely to receive mistreatment or neglect by the abuser. Children who witness abuse are victims as well.

A national survey of more than 2,000 U.S. families found that about half of the men who frequently assaulted their wives also frequently abused their children. "No one wants them to be injured, hurt or killed. Although the Catholic Church does take very seriously the family unit, when the batterer batters, he has broken the covenant so the victim is not breaking the covenant to protect herself. No one is promoting divorce, but we are promoting whatever needs to happen to make the victims safe," says Jayne Ann Kita, executive director of the Pastoral Project on Domestic Violence, a collaboration of Catholic Charities, Catholic Health Initiative and the Omaha Archdiocese. (National Catholic Reporter, Vol. 37, No. 33)

If violence occurs once in a dating relationship, it is likely to occur again. The majority (from 47%-87%) of violence occurs during either the steady or serious dating phase of the relationship. Seventy-five percent of relationship violence incidents are reported to the police after the victim has left her assailant. Battering tends to escalate over time, leading, in some instances, to homicide and/or suicide.

One secret that should not be kept is when you are being abused by a spouse or loved one. If you are being hit, kicked, punched or verbally assaulted by your spouse, partner, or significant other you must stop taking the abuse. There are many resources within the communities of Archdiocese of Cincinnati to help.

If you need assistance, contact the Ohio Domestic Violence Hotline (800) 934-9840. The National Domestic Violence Hotline number is (800) 799-7233 (800-799-SAFE).

Domestic Violence Shelters in Ohio:

http://www.ohiodvresources.org/vicinfo/resources/helporgs/

Brown County Shelter

Ohio Department of Legal Resources

http://www.ohiodvresources.org/vicinfo/

Publications:

When I Call for Help: A Pastoral Response to Domestic Violence Against Women http://www.nccbuscc.org/laity/help.htm