Introduction to Domestic Violence and Rape

• Domestic violence is a variety of abuse that occurs within the home, between family members or couples.
• Destruction of property, psychological and emotional abuse, and physical and sexual assault are all common forms.
• On the milder but still quite serious side, perpetrators of domestic violence may threaten victims or use verbal put downs and bad name, attempt to publically humiliate them, or play manipulative mind games. Abusers may be act very jealously, and work to control victims' access to family and friends or employment.
• Rape is a crime involving forced sexual activity, usually including sexual penetration, against the will of the victim.
• In addition to the financial and social adjustment difficulties that are often associated with removing one's self from an ongoing abuse situation, survivors of domestic violence or rape can develop emotional and psychological concerns that last well after the physical injuries have healed.
• No matter what type of violence you may have experienced (or are experiencing) or variety of emotional difficulty you may have incurred from such trauma, it is important that you not blame yourself for having been victimized.
• Nobody deserves to be physically, sexually, emotionally, or spiritually abused as a child or as an adult.
• Abusive people are unable or unwilling to effectively control or cope with their own impulses and to respect human dignity and rights.

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