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Domestic Violence - Frequently Asked Questions
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Frequently Asked Questions - click on one of the links below to go to a
question and answer.
Use the  next to
the answer to return to the top of the page.
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Questions:
Answers:
1.
Why all the talk about women as victims of male violence. Don’t women use violence against men, too?
The reality is that domestic violence is an unequal crime and women are the primary victims. The FBI estimates that 85% of partner violence victims are female. Other data collected by theNational Crime Victimization Survey indicate that no matter what the rate of violence by gender, or who initiates it, women are 7 to 10 times more likely than men to be injured.
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2.
We know about the physical violence, but what else is a part of domestic violence?
Domestic violence is rarely an isolated incident, but rather is a pattern of coercive behavior using tactics such as emotional and verbal abuse, threats and intimidation, isolation, and economic control to gain power and control over the victim. In light of these other tactics that produce fear, the use of violence need not occur often in order to make the victim comply with her abuser’s demands.
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3.
What happens if the abuse continues?
If nothing occurs to interrupt the pattern of abuse and violence, it is likely to occur more often and the level of injuries sustained during an incident will escalate over time. As the abuse becomes more severe, the victim feels increasingly trapped in the relationship. Yet, it is also during this same period that she frequently increases her attempts to reach out for help.
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4.
Can we tell who is likely to use lethal violence against their partner?
Lethality assessment in domestic violence cases is the examination of the abuser’s behavior and other indicators that may signal an increased likelihood of lethal violence. The following should be taken into account when assessing an abuser’s level of violence and the risk of becoming lethal to his partner:
- Threats of suicide or homicide;
- Access to weapons;
- A recent or impending separation;
- Obsession with his partner;
- Access to his partner;
- A history of law enforcement involvement; and
- Hostage-taking.
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5.
Who are the victims?
The stereotype of a battered woman is someone who is poor, a racial or ethnic minority, uneducated or under-educated, docile, meek and submissive. She is portrayed as frightened and therefore likely to exaggerate or overstate the problems she is experiencing with her partner. The reality is that domestic abuse and dating violence cut across all demographic, racial and ethnic lines. Battered woman come from every class, race, and educational background. While she may be docile or submissive, she is as likely to be angry about the abuse and resentful toward her partner for subjecting her to it. She may not display her fear to others and may minimize the problem when confronted by friends of family.
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6.
Why don’t battered women just leave and stay away?
Many battered women do leave and never return to their partners. Those who do stay are likely to do so for a variety of reasons, such as:
- Lack of resources;
- A belief system that discourages or prohibits her from leaving;
- No place to go if she does leave;
- Hope that he will change his behavior; and/or
- Fear that he will carry out the threats to seriously harm or kill her, the children, or other family members if she does leave him.
It is a mistake for others to believe that leaving an abusive relationship will end the violence. Violence often escalates at the time of separation and can incorporate new behaviors, such as stalking, that are designed to force the victim back into the relationship. Attempting to or leaving an abusive partner substantially increases the risk of lethal violence.
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7.
Who are these abusers?
Just as there are erroneous stereotypes about the victim, the abuser is sometimes not who you think he is. He is frequently portrayed as poor, a racial or ethnic minority, and either uneducated or under-educated. Many assume that because he is violent toward his partner, he must be aggressive and/or violent in his public behavior. On the contrary, abusers are found in every social class and employment status, every race and ethnic background. While they can behave like bullies, they are as likely to be civil to others and perhaps even charming.
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8.
What causes someone to abuse and control their partner?
Domestic violence is rarely caused by stress, anger out-of-control, mental or emotional illness, dysfunction within the relationship, poor communication skills, provocation on the part of the victim, or substance and/or alcohol abuse. However, there is a correlation between substance use or abuse prior to or during the incident, which increases the risk of serious injury or death in such incidents. While each of the factors named are frequently used as excuses for and can exacerbate the violence, they do not cause domestic violence.
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9.
What happens to children in homes where one parent is abusing the other?
It is estimated that 85% of children who live in violent homes are eyewitnesses, attempt to intervene, and/or experience the violence themselves. Children in these homes are at greater risk of deliberate or inadvertent injury. In addition, these children experience a host of emotional and psychological problems as a result of the violence between parents.
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10.
What works best to end domestic violence?
When different agencies work together to improve their community’s response to domestic violence, it is referred to as a coordinated community response. In some areas of the country, such efforts have brought about a significant reduction in the number of serious domestic violence injuries and deaths. At the core of a coordinated response is the shared belief that domestic violence is a crime and should be taken seriously, that the victim and children should be protected from further harm, and that creating meaningful consequences for the abusers is the best way to hold them accountable.
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**Scroll down for law enforcement.**
Family Counseling Agency
(318) 448-0284
1404 Murray Street
Alexandria, LA 71301
Individual, marital, family, and children's
counseling; men's anger control group
Rapides District Attorney's
Victims' Advocacy Program
(318) 442-9222
921 Ninth Street
Alexandria, LA 71301
Victims' Assistance
Rapides Children's Advocacy Center
(318) 448-4006
1506 Albert Street
Alexandria, LA 71309
Child sexual and physical abuse
Child Protection Services
(318) 487-5116
Hotline
Turning Point
Battered Women's Shelter
(318) 442-7196 (business)
(318) 445-2022 (crisis line)
1-888-411-1333 (crisis line)
Confidential, emergency shelter for
battered women and their children;
counseling, advocacy
Hope House
(318) 487-2061
29 Bolton Avenue
Alexandria, LA 71301
Non-emergency, long-term shelter
for women and children
Shepherd Center
(318) 448-3752
1400 Jackson Street
Alexandria, LA 71301
Food, clothing, emergency travel,
prescription medicine, limited financial
and utility assistance
Food Bank
(318) 445-2773
3223 Baldwin Avenue
Alexandria, LA 71301
Emergency food supplies
Law Enforcement Agencies
Alexandria Police Department
(318) 441-6442
(318) 441-6443
Ball Police Department
(318) 640-4673
Cheneyville Police Department
(318) 279-2156
Forest Hill Police Department
(318) 748-6300
Glenmora Police Department
(318) 748-4750
Lecompte Police Department
(318) 776-9211
Pineville Police Department
(318) 442-6603
Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office
(318) 473-6700
Boyce (318) 793-2477
Tioga (318) 640-1696
Ward 11 (318) 466-3231
Willow Glen &
Lower Third (318) 449-5482
Woodworth Police Department
(318) 442-8980
Louisiana State Police Troop "E"
(318) 487-5911
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