What is Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that one partner uses to gain or maintain control and power over another intimate partner. Domestic violence can be sexual, physical, emotional, economic, psychological, technological, threats of action, or other patterns of coercive behavior that influence another person within an intimate partner relationship.
Who can be exposed to Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence can happen to anyone regardless of race, age, sexual orientation, sex, or gender identity. Domestic violence occurs in both opposite-sex and same-sex relationships and can happen to intimate partners who are married, living together, dating, or sharing a child.
Children who grow up witnessing domestic violence are not only predisposed to numerous physical and social problems but also may learn that violence is a usual way of life, increasing their risk of becoming society’s next generation of victims and abusers.
Personal story
“Why are you in relationship violence? Are you there for your kids? You don’t have any other family? If you are there for your kids, what if he hits you and kills you? Where will your kids go? They will be with him, a violent person, who will teach them that violence is normal.” Those were the words that still sound in my head of a person who helps a woman to get out of a violent relationship
I say, “No matter what kind of violence you are experiencing there is no reason to continue in a relationship of violence. You have the power to change all you don’t like around you because you deserve to be happy. You get one life, and you have to enjoy it in a better way.”
I understand that every change, in the beginning, is not easy. But you have the power in your hands to be better every day.
Here is a page where you can find more resources about domestic violence.
Post authored by Yakima Student Council Vice President Yadira Chavez
