Unfortunately, we run into abusers every day. Abusers come from all walks of life, income levels, careers, neighborhoods, religions, and age groups. Your neighbor, boss, best friend, or even a relative could be an abuser.
What is truly shocking is that around 90% of all abusers do not have a criminal record. Because they have never been arrested, they feel empowered to keep abusing their victims.
Outside of their homes, domestic violence offenders are typically law-abiding citizens who may even play active and positive roles in their communities.
What Are Some of the Common Traits of Abusers?
There is no common cookie-cutter approach to abuser development. There are some identifiable characteristics many abusers have in common.
- Abusers almost always deny the seriousness of their abuse. They will also work to minimize the negative effects of the abuse on their victims.
- The abuser may see their victim as property or simply a sexual object.
- Often, abusers feel powerless and lack self-confidence out in the world.
- Abusers always externalize blame for their violence. They will blame their abusive actions on stress or even on the victim’s behavior or actions.
- The abuser may be loving, kind, and generous between periods of abuse.
What Are Some of the Warning Signs of Domestic Violence?
Some red flags could indicate a person is an abuser or in danger of becoming one. Consider the following.
- Extreme possessiveness or jealousy
- Bad temper
- Verbal abuse
- Forced sex or disregard for the victim’s comfort
- Antiquated beliefs about the role of men and women in relationships
- Cruelty to animals
- Destruction of the victim’s property
- Control of all the finances in the home
- Blaming the victim
- An extreme level of control
- Control of what the victim wears
- Isolation of the victim
- Embarrassing or humiliating the victim in front of others
Domestic Violence Statistics
Viewing the domestic violence statistics for the United States is heart-wrenching. Many people are shocked to learn how prevalent abuse has become in our society.
- Twenty people are abused every minute in the United States.
- Ten million people are abused in their homes each year.
- One in four women and one in nine men become domestic violence victims.
- One in four women and one in seven men have suffered severe abuse.
- Each day, there are around 20,000 calls made to domestic violence hotlines.
- If there is a gun in the home, the risks of homicide go up 500%.
- Around 19% of all domestic violence incidences involve a weapon.
- Women between the ages of 18-24 are more likely to be abused by an intimate partner.
- Only 34% of domestic violence victims receive proper medical care for their injuries.
Unfortunately, many domestic violence victims do not report their abuse to authorities and never seek help to get out of the relationship because of fear.
Annually, there are around 16,800 homicides related to domestic violence. About 75% of these deaths occur when the victim attempts to leave their abuser.
Recognize the Warning Signs of Domestic Violence
Abusers come from all walks of life. You could be dating an abuser or married to one.
Domestic violence takes on many forms. Although women are, statistically, the most likely to be abused in the home, one in seven men have been abused.
The signs of domestic violence include extreme control, jealousy, isolation, severe tempers, and sexual control, among many others. Anyone can become the victim of a forceful domestic violence crime.
Domestic violence involving guns increases the risk of victim death by as much as 500%. If you are in an abusive situation, get help right away! Abusers rarely stop abusing. The abuse typically escalates in severity.
End Of Article