Relationship Violence

Partner abuse, domestic abuse, and intimate partner violence can happen to anyone. Unfortunately, abuse and violence in relationships are all too common. The statistics on domestic violence are staggering.

• 12 million people are affected by intimate partner violence each year in the United States. More specifically, an average of 24 people per minute are victims of rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner.
• In the United States, over 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced rape, physical violence, and/ or stalking by an intimate partner within their lifetime.
• Most studies found a lifetime prevalence of intimate partner violence among LGBT people that is as high or higher than the general population.

It is important to raise awareness that domestic violence can affect anyone, including men, women, trans people, and non-binary people. Certain populations tend to be at greater risk such as the LGBTQ community, BIPOC people, those living in poverty, and younger adults.

One way to raise awareness is by learning more from national and local advocacy resources that are committed to ending partner abuse and relationship violence. Checking out information on the websites of national resources is a great place to start for general information, including hotlines, psychoeducation on signs and dynamics of abuse, safety resources, and ways to get involved.

National Domestic Violence Hotline

https://www.thehotline.org/

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence

https://ncadv.org/get-help

Break the Silence Against Domestic Violence

https://breakthesilencedv.org/

Resources include valuable information to learn more about people and communities that are impacted by various forms of abuse. There is information related to partner abuse, domestic violence, and intimate partner violence. In addition to information on physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, you can learn more about related topics and abuse present in specific communities including LGBTQ, kink, and poly communities.

The NetworklaRed is a survivor-led, social justice organization that works to end partner abuse in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, kink, polyamorous, and queer communities.

https://www.tnlr.org/en/24-hour-hotline/

Local resources in Minnesota include organizations committed to building communities free from relationship violence. Local resources can help connect you with resources and support in your area to help you or someone in your life who is impacted by relationship violence. This includes crisis resources, shelters, and safety planning,including culturally specific ones along with links to resources for organizations that specialize in elder abuse, immigration, people who identify as LGBTQIA+, and BIPOC resources. In addition, there is information for therapy, support groups, legal resources, orders for protection, general resources for crime victims, and survivor rights.

Violence Free Minnesota

https://www.vfmn.org/

Domestic Abuse Project

https://mndap.org/

The Sexual Violence Center

https://www.sexualviolencecenter.org/

Minnesota Day One

https://dayoneservices.org/domestic-violence/help-now/

Minnesota Resources for Crime Victims

https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/ojp/help-for-crime-victims/Pages/resource-list-victims.aspx

Finally, there is power in breaking the silence. If you would like to talk to someone about your relationship, please reach out. Our therapists provide expert care in relationships.

Written By: Charlotte Johnson, MA, LPCC