Domestic Protection
Domestic violence has an effect on youth either through their home environment or through dating. Domestic abuse includes abuse by a boyfriend, girlfriend, relative, or parent. The exposure may be direct or indirect. Such abuse may occur verbally, physically, emotionally, or sexually. The effects of the abuse can be vast and painful. Although some youth are able to cope well, and go on to live healthy, productive lives, there are others who do not.
Studies show that domestic violence affects more than 2.3 million individuals per year. The highest rate of domestic violence is found among girls and women between 16 to 24 years of age. Domestic violence is a serious problem within our community. It is often a silent problem because the person being abused may hide their injuries or not speak up because they are afraid of the consequences of telling.
Juvenile Domestic Violence is a pattern of abusive and controlling behav-iors that includes: Physical Abuse - Hitting, slapping, punching, shoving, or using weapons and other objects to cause injury; Intimidation / Emotional Abuse - Name calling, denial, threatening to harm self/others, abusing sib-lings, using threatening looks, actions or gestures; or Property Abuse - Steal-ing or destroying belongings, money; interfering with reporting of domestic violence, or punching holes in walls. (https://www.pwcgov.org/government/ courts/cjs/Pages/Teenagers-and-Domestic-Violence.aspx). The person who abuses chooses to abuse. Abuse is not caused by drugs, alcohol, mental ill-ness or being provoked. (https://www.pwcgov.org/government/courts/ cjs/Pages/Teenagers-and-Domestic-Violence.aspx). Therefore, it is so important that individuals who experience abuse, know that the abuse is not their fault.
If you are in danger, call 911. If you need immediate assistance after hours: Call 1-800-799-SAFE(7233).
Adapted from: (https://www.pwcgov.org/ government/courts/cjs/Pages/Teenagers-and-Domestic-Violence.aspx).