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Domestic Violence is a Crime

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Are you or anyone you know a victim of domestic violence? If so, you are not alone--there is help! Domestic violence can affect anyone. If you are a victim of abuse, you are NEVER to blame – it is NOT your fault. The abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, economic or a combination of many types of abuse. Committing domestic violence is a choice made by the abuser!
Under Florida statues "domestic violence" is defined as any assault, aggravated assault, battery, aggravated battery, sexual assault, sexual battery, stalking, aggravated stalking, kidnapping, false imprisonment, or any criminal offense resulting in physical injury or death of one family or household member by another family or household member.
Domestic violence is a pattern of controlling behaviors – violence or threats of violence – that one person uses to establish power over an intimate partner in order to control that partner’s actions and activities. Domestic violence is not a disagreement, a marital spat, or an anger management problem. Domestic violence is abusive, disrespectful, and hurtful behaviors that one intimate partner chooses to use against the other partner. The abuser does not change or stop just by saying they are sorry, or "it won't happen again." It will happen again and gets worse or more violent each time! Get help, no one deserves the abuse!
The Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence (FCADV) is an organization with the mission to create a violence free world by empowering women and children through the elimination of personal and institutional violence and oppression against all people. FCADV provides leadership, advocacy, education, training, technical assistance, public policy and development, and support to domestic violence center programs.
Your safety is important and making informed decisions about staying or leaving an abusive relationship is critical to your safety. You are the expert in your own life and the only one who knows what is right and safe for you. Florida’s certified domestic violence centers have trained advocates who are dedicated to assisting you with finding options and developing your safety plan. The trained advocates at one of Florida's 42 certified domestic violence centers or a hotline advocate at the statewide hotline 1-800-500-1119 can help. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. For more information, visit fcadv.org. All calls and services are confidential.