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24-Hour Crisis Hotline: (800) 554-4972 | 03/10/2010 |
 Women's Resource Center 720 S Elmwood, Ste 2 Traverse City, MI 49684 Ph 231.941.1210 Fax 231.941.1734 Getting HelpRecognizing Domestic & Sexual ViolenceAre you being abused? Does your partner...Put you down, but then tell you they love you? Hit, kick, shove or do other forms of physical violence? Damage your personal property? Threaten to harm you, your loved ones or your pets? Insist on controlling family finances? Criticize your abilities as a parent? Abuse your children? Frighten you with their temper? Control the contact you have with family and friends? Drive you to make excuses or apologies for their jealousy or behavior? Make unwanted advances or force you to perform sexual acts? Threaten to commit suicide if you leave? Or... Are you being abusive? Ask yourself these questions... Do you constantly check on your partner and accuse them of being with other people? Are you extremely jealous? Have you hit, kicked, shoved or thrown things at your partner or children? Do you constantly criticize or insult your partner? Do you become violent when you drink or use drugs? Have you ever threatened your partner? Have you forced your partner to have sex with you? Have you ever threatened to hurt yourself if they break up with you? If so, you may be experiencing abuse. If you are in a violent relationship, or if you think that your relationship could become violent, please call the Women's Resource Center’s 24-Hour Hotline at 231-941-1210 or 1-800-554-4972. The Women's Resource Center's victim advocates respond compassionately to the needs of domestic and sexual assault victims and their families. Advocates provide confidential crisis intervention services, assist victims in understanding their rights and options, guide them through the medical treatment (if necessary) and legal process, and provide emotional support. Domestic & Sexual Violence is Against the Law. Download the Personal Safety Plan Safety TipsHave the following items hidden in a place where your partner cannot find them:$50 or more in cash A small bag with clothing, personal items for you and your children, medications, etc. Extra keys to the house and car Important phone numbers Loose change for pay phones A picture of your abuser Any important paperwork A record of all incidents If you and your partner are not living together: Change the locks on you doors Keep legal papers with you at all times. Create a safety plan for coming and going from home and work and share it with children and co-workers. Show the people you trust a picture of your partner and tell them to call the police if he or she is seen on your property. Screen mail, e-mail and phone calls Be alert and aware Sexual Violence is unwanted forced sexual contact or intercourse and can happen to anyone, regardless of gender, age, race, educational level or socioeconomic status. Most victims of sexual violence know their perpetrator, but sexual violence is never the victim's fault. Sexual violence is not provoked by the appearance or behavior of the victim; no one willingly wants to be hurt. It includes rape, but it can also include kissing, touching and fondling. Force includes physical force or emotional manipulation. 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime. Over 70% of sexual assaults are never reported to law enforcement. 32% of rape survivors are between the ages of 11 and 17. Victims are never responsible for being sexually assaulted. It's rape even when: Be clear, many people believe that acquaintance rape results from miscommunications about sex that is based on some old patterns. In the past, women have been expected to say no at first, even when they intended to have sex with someone. Therefore, some men may believe a woman means yes, even when she says no. To overcome potential misunderstandings, both partners need to know their sexual limits. Both need to express these limits clearly to each other. Always trust your feelings about the situation you are in!! Dating violence is the physical, sexual, emotional and/or verbal abuse by a dating partner. Dating violence may consist of harassment, intimidation, threats, and physical or verbal abuse. Dating violence can be as simple as limiting independence, such as telling someone what to wear, who they can be friends with, and limiting activities without the partner. Questions to ask when deciding who to date... Teen IssuesWhat are your rights in a relationship? You have the right...To express your opinions and have them respected To have your needs be as important as your partner's needs To grow as an individual in your own way To change your mind To not take responsibility for your partner's behavior To not be physically, emotionally or sexually abused And you have the right to break up and fall out of love with someone and not be threatened StalkingStalking is an obsession. It may be motivated by intense affection or extreme dislike toward a person. A stalker's behavior begins by a series of acts which at first may seem harmless and annoying, but can disrupt the victim's life and may escalate unexpectedly to a dangerous level.Some examples of stalking behaviors are repeatedly:
Elder AbuseIt is difficult to face the fact that an older individual or an individual with disabilities may be being mistreated, but unfortunately those least able to care for themselves are most vulnerable to abuse. Family member, dating or sexual violence against older individuals or individuals with disabilities exists as a hidden, silent and unrecognized issue.Types of abuse:
More than two-thirds of the perpetrators of abuse against older individuals are family members in the care giving role (www.elderabusecenter.org). Abuse of older individuals or individuals with disabilities can occur anywhere, including nursing homes, residential care facilities and domestic settings. This abuse can also include self-neglect. |