October is Domestic Violence Awareness month and October 20th is #PurpleThursday – both designed to raise awareness of domestic violence. The National Network to End Domestic Violence defines domestic violence as “…a pattern of coercive, controlling behavior that can include physical abuse, emotional or psychological abuse, sexual abuse or financial abuse (using money and financial tools to exert control).” One in four women will be the victim of domestic abuse in their lifetime. 85% of victims are women and 15% are men.
Legal professionals can develop a deeper understanding of domestic violence in order to better counsel their clients. One of the most persistent and damaging questions people ask is, “why don’t they just leave?” As with many things, there is rarely a simple answer. Law professor Sarah Buel explains some reasons why victim’s stay in abusive relationships in her article Fifty Obstacles to Leaving, a.k.a, Why Abuse Victims Stay. In fact, victims do leave, but it often takes several attempts to permanently end the relationship.
To end domestic violence, everyone needs to learn the signs and learn how to speak out against it. Some resources include:
National Network to End Domestic Violence
Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence
U.S. National Organizations & Projects
National Domestic Violence Hotline
