Domestic Violence – More Than Meets the Eye
Many times, when we think about domestic violence we focus on physical abuse. But domestic violence can also be emotional abuse, spiritual abuse, financial abuse, technological abuse, or sexual abuse. All forms of domestic violence can influence many aspects of survivors’ lives.
According to Domestic Violence Prevention, Inc. (DVP), domestic violence impacts employment by reducing productivity, leading to an average loss of 137 hours of work per year – nearly one month’s wages.1 Lost wages can cause food insecurity, transportation challenges, and housing difficulties, which can all be obstacles to overcome. The National Coalition for the Homeless revealed that 57% of all women experiencing homelessness stated that domestic violence was the primary cause.2
A study on Violence Against American Indian and Alaska Native Women and Men conducted by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) found that 84.3% of American Indian/Alaska Native women and 81.6% of American Indian/Alaska Native men report experiencing domestic violence at some point in their lives.3 This is a much higher rate than people of other ethnicities. It’s likely you know someone impacted by domestic violence.
Fortunately, help is available. Many tribes and non-tribal organizations offer assistance connecting to emergency shelters, counseling, legal services, housing, and other support. If you or someone you know could benefit from being connected to any of these services, please go to the DV Hub on our website at https://www.ihcrc.org/dvp where you’ll find links to services in the Tulsa area.
