Myth: Domestic violence only affects married couples.

Fact: Domestic violence affects anyone who is involved in an intimate partner relationship.

Myth: Only women are victims.

Fact: Men also are victimized by domestic violence, at higher rates than you would imagine (see above). Men can be abused by women or by other men. Women are more likely to use a weapon against a man. Men face an additional stigma, as society as a whole still tends to regard domestic violence through a strictly gender-based perspective.

Myth: Only young people experience domestic violence.

Fact: Although young women ages 18-24 (NCADV) are at the highest risk for experiencing domestic violence, older people are victimized as well. In some cases, it is enacted by intimate partners and in others, the abuse is perpetrated by a caretaker. The topic of elder abuse will be covered in a future article.

Myth: Domestic violence doesn't happen in my neighborhood.

Fact: While the statistics show that the risk factors for domestic violence vary widely based on demographics, it is still an issue that affects all communities. Domestic violence may be happening right under your nose and you may not even be aware of it. Often, the victim is afraid of retaliation from the abuser if people become aware of the situation. Remember, domestic violence even impacts celebrities. Famous people such as pop singer Rihanna and actress Charlize Theron have made headlines for sharing their experiences with domestic violence. The late Nicole Brown Simpson endured years of battering and stalking by her husband, whom she later divorced, OJ Simpson. In the 1990s, she was brutally murdered.

Myth: Domestic abuse is always physical and leaves visible marks.

Fact: Interpersonal violence manifests itself in several ways. Abuse is not limited to just physical abuse- it can be emotional, psychological, sexual/reproductive, or economic in nature. An example of emotional abuse is perpetually intimidating, belittling, or insulting the victim to make that person feel bad or his or herself. Psychological abuse may be "gaslighting", where the abuser tries to convince the victim that they are going insane, or they may threaten the victim, but never act upon the threats. Threats, nonetheless, are a powerful weapon used by the abuser that traumatizes the victim. I once heard a true example of a man who killed his wife's pets and told her he could do the same to her. An example of sexual abuse is coercing the victim into sex, or, raping the victim, while an example of reproductive abuse may be intentionally interfering with the victim's contraception or forcing the victim to go through with or denying the victim reproductive health procedures. Economic abuse occurs when the abuser controls the victim's finances so it is harder for the victim to be independent, so the abuser may not permit the victim to become employed, or may take the victim's paychecks away from the victim.

University of South Florida

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