What is Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence is not about a single fight, it is a pattern of coercive behavior and abuse used by one partner to gain control over the other. Behaviors may include:
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Physical violence or abuse (or the threat of physical abuse)
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Isolation
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Intimidation
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Control of household money, not allowing partner to work, denying access to information about finances
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Denying access to medical or mental healthcare or medication
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Forced sexual activity
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Psychological abuse
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Stalking or monitoring daily activities
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Harming or threatening to harm their children
Domestic Violence is against the law. Every individual has the right to live without
physical, sexual, verbal,
mental or emotional abuse.
Unfortunately, Domestic Violence is
prevalent and can happen
to anyone regardless
of gender, age, race, religion or income level.
But it is never the victim’s fault.
The warning signs of domestic violence include jealousy, name-calling, possessiveness, and the abuser making you feel that you are the one causing their behavior. You may feel:
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Confused that someone you love (or once loved) is hurting you
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Ashamed or guilty or wonder if anyone will believe you
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Worried about calling the police or telling your family, friends, or co-workers
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Hopeless that things will ever change
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Unworthy of a life without your abuser
Please know that you are not alone! If you find yourself wondering if your relationship is abusive or have questions about your rights and your safety, talk to a trusted adult or call Sweet Pea House Farms.
Education and awareness are the key to breaking the cycle of domestic violence and creating a brighter future for all. Join us in our mission to make education and awareness accessible to all!
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Domestic violence information
Did you know?
If you suspect someone close to you is experiencing
some form of domestic violence, you can:
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More than 10 million adults experience domestic violence annually. That equates to one every 3 seconds.
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1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men experience sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by a partner in their lifetime.
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1 in 2 female murder victims and 1 in 13 male murder victims are killed by their partners.
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The presence of a gun in a domestic situation increases the risk of homicide by 500%.
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Partner violence accounts for 15% of all violent crimes
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Women between the ages of 18-24 are most commonly abused by a partner
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Only 34% of people who are injured by a partner receive medical attention
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Missouri has the third-highest rate of people who have experienced domestic violence in the United States.
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5 types of Abuse - Physical (inflicting injury), Sexual (coercing sexual contact without consent), Psychological (instilling fear), Emotional (undermining victims' sense of worth), and Economic (making victim financially dependent)
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Listen without judging and don’t rush to provide a solution. Remember the victim is not responsible for someone else’s abusive or violent behavior.
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Believe them! Let them know you support them and ask what you can do to help.
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Support them. Let them know you care about them and let them know it isn’t their fault. Offer to go with them to talk to someone.
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Help them to make their own decisions and get the resources they need rather than doing it for them.
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Encourage them to contact a local program. This is where they can talk to a trained advocate, find safe shelter, and get the resources they need to break the cycle.
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Maintain their confidentiality. Do not share this information with anyone else without the specific permission of the victim of domestic violence
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Understand that healing is a process that is different for each person. Express compassion, nonjudgmental support and acceptance.
