Our advocates are only a phone call away and can speak with anyone experiencing domestic violence, seeking resources or information, or questioning unhealthy aspects of their relationship. Rose Brooks Center’s hotline is 816-861-6100. Always call or text 9-1-1 in an emergency.
Every individual or group who supports Rose Brooks Center, supports the lives of those escaping domestic violence. Get involved through volunteering, events, or spreading the word about resources and you will help provide safe futures today!
Thank you for standing with us in creating safe futures for so many adults, children, and pets. Making a donation today will save thousands of lives and we thank you for being part of this important work.
WHAT IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE?
Domestic violence is the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior as part of a pattern of power and control perpetrated by one partner against another. It includes physical violence, sexual violence, threats, financial/economic abuse, reproductive abuse, and emotional/psychological abuse. The frequency and severity of domestic violence may vary but can take place in heterosexual or same-sex relationships, or between former spouses or partners.
In abusive relationships, there may be a cycle of abuse during which an act of violence is committed, followed by a period of reconciliation and calm. It is important to remember that domestic violence can happen to anyone and there is help and support available.
NATIONAL STATISTICS
- On average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. During one year, this equates to more than 10 million women and men.1
- 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men experience domestic violence, also known as intimate partner violence, at some point in their lifetime.
- Intimate partner violence accounts for 15% of all violent crime.2
- Women between the ages of 18-24 are most commonly abused by an intimate partner.2
- 1 in 15 children are exposed to intimate partner violence each year, and 90% of these children are eyewitnesses to this violence.3
- The presence of a gun in a domestic violence situation increases the risk of a victim being killed by 500%.
- Nearly 50% of domestic violence survivors will not leave an abusive relationship without their beloved pet.
KNOW THE SIGNS
If you’re beginning to feel as if your partner or a loved one’s partner is becoming abusive, there are a few behaviors that you can look out for. Watch out for these red flags and if you’re experiencing one or more of them in your relationship, call Rose Brooks Center’s hotline at 816-861-6100:
- Embarrassing or putting you down
- Controlling who you see, where you go, or what you do
- Constantly checking up on you
- Your partner is quick to say “I love you”
- Early charming behaviors can be a tactic to move into a relationship quickly
- Keeping you or discouraging you from seeing your friends or families
- Taking your money or refusing to give you money for expenses
- Blaming arguments on you or your behavior, or blaming you for the abuse
- Telling you that you are a bad parent or threatening to harm or take away your children
- Preventing you from working or attending school
- Threatening to hurt or kill your pets
- Intimidating you with guns or other weapons
- Shoving, slapping, choking or hitting you
- Threatening to commit suicide because of something you’ve done
- Threatening to hurt or kill you
- Pressuring you to have sex when you don’t want to or do things sexually you’re not comfortable with
- Pressuring you to use drugs or alcohol
- Preventing you from using birth control or pressuring you to become pregnant when you’re not ready
RESOURCES & SAFETY PLANS
:: HOW TO HELP A FRIEND (PDF)
:: TEEN DATING VIOLENCE GUIDE (PDF)
:: PLAN DE SEGURIDAD PERSONALIZADO (PDF)
:: DOWNLOAD SAFETY PLAN (PDF)
