Domestic Violence primarily affects women and children directly; however, it can and does affect men too. Men are less likely to come forward due to stigmatisms.  Domestic Violence is an issue that so many are afraid to talk about, afraid to come forward for assistance, don’t know and understand what resources are available for assistance and is more than just physical abuse. Directly from the Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), “Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, psychological, or technological actions or threats of actions or other patterns of coercive behavior that influence another person within an intimate partner relationship. This includes any behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize, coerce, threaten, blame, hurt, injure, or wound someone.” According to a report on Ozark Radio News Network October 9, 2024, by Daniel Williams Missouri is ranked 3^rd among states for domestic violence. “1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men experience severe physical violence by an intimate partner (NCADV). Domestic violence accounts for 5% of all violent crime (BJS) and about 41.8% of Missouri women and 35.2% of men experience intimate partner physical violence, sexual violence, or stalking.” According to mocadsav (Missouri Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence) in 2024 Southeast Missouri received 2,478 hotline calls which equals 6.79 calls per day. While that number is for the entire Southeast Missouri area and not just Oregon County, that is terrifying! 

For more information from MOCADSAV, click the link below.