MYTH: Domestic violence looks like a couple getting into a fight on Saturday night, beating each other up and totally disrupting the neighborhood.
FACT: Domestic violence more often looks like one partner intimidating, controlling and terrorize the other. It's not always two people in a fist fight. It is one person dominating and controlling the other.
MYTH: Domestic violence occurs only in poor, poorly educated or minority families.
FACT:It makes no difference what race or ethnic background one is, how educated they are, how much income they make or if the are religious or not. Anyone can be a victim.
MYTH: An abuser has an anger control problem.
FACT:While the person may be angry at the time of the assault, they are in control of their actions. Abusers carefully select where to hit their partner to keep the abuse hidden by clothing. Battering is a choice.
MYTH: Battering or abuse is very rare.
FACT:It is the most common crime in the United States, occurring every 9 seconds.
MYTH: If an abused person really wanted to leave, they could just pack up and leave?
FACT:Even with the thought of leaving, victims are faced with the very real possibility of severe physical injury, or even death. Many abused persons want the violence to end but not the relationship.