FAQ

The Frequently Asked Questions (or FAQ) is an area where we post some of the most common questions and concerns that we receive here at Alternatives. Simply click on the link of the question below to see the answer.

Questions:

1. Battering is the single greatest cause of injury to women.
2. When a victim leaves the relationship, the abuse usually ends.
3. Batterers rarely abuse their children.
4. Pregnant women are generally abused less frequently or less severely.
5. Men and women are equally violent in relationships.
6. 1 in 20 American women between the ages of 18 and 65 has experienced domestic violence.
7. Victims stay in an abusive relationship because they like the abuse.
8. Alcohol is the cause of domestic violence.
9. People in gay and lesbian relationships are less likely to be abused than people in a heterosexual relationship.
10. Battering is rarely life threatening.

Answers:

1. Battering is the single greatest cause of injury to women.

True - more frequent than car crashes, muggings and rapes combined .
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2. When a victim leaves the relationship, the abuse usually ends.

False - the average rate of recidivism (leaving/returning) is 7 times before an abusive relationship is ended.
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3. Batterers rarely abuse their children.

False - of men who batter women, 70% also batter their children, making the presence of spouse abuse the single most identifiable risk factor for predicting child abuse.
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4. Pregnant women are generally abused less frequently or less severely.

False - violence escalates during pregnancy, research indicates 37% of obstetric patients were physically abused during pregnancy.
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5. Men and women are equally violent in relationships.

False - a 1996 study indicated there were nearly 1,000,000 female victims and about 150,000 male victims of domestic violence.
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6. 1 in 20 American women between the ages of 18 and 65 has experienced domestic violence.

False - 1 in 4 American women between the ages of 18 and 65 has experienced domestic violence.
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7. Victims stay in an abusive relationship because they like the abuse.

False - victims stay in an abusive relationship for reasons such as: guilt; fear; embarrassment; emotional dependence; financial dependence; isolation; hopelessness; or belief that it is better for the children.
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8. Alcohol is the cause of domestic violence.

False - alcohol can be a contributing factor, not the cause of a domestic incident.
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9. People in gay and lesbian relationships are less likely to be abused than people in a heterosexual relationship.

False - Preliminary research indicates a domestic violence prevalence rate between 25 and 33%.
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10. Battering is rarely life threatening.

False - 30% of women killed in the United States die at the hands of a boyfriend or spouse.
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