Options, Inc. Celebrates 25 Years of Providing Assistance to Victims of Domestic Violence
October 14th, 2014 by
Options, Inc. was started because a small number of individuals saw the need of Domestic Violence Victims and their Children. A survey was conducted through law enforcement and court systems in 1989 in the five counties of the 10th Judicial District. The survey was conducted by concerned citizens and professionals. The data was compiled and results were that one out of every four calls was regarding some type of domestic or family violence.
October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Domestic Violence Awareness month is held every October to educate people about domestic violence, and to encourage victims and abusers to get help.
Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior used to gain control over a person by a partner, relative, or household member.
Abusers often make it difficult for victims to get help by blaming them, promising the abuse will stop, or making victims feel they cannot escape—either because they may suffer further abuse or due to financial constraints.
Every 15 seconds in the United States a victim is beaten, in the State of Arkansas every 15 seconds a victim is beaten, in the counties of Ashley, Bradley, Chicot, Desha and Drew a victim is beaten.
DID YOU KNOW
• One in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime.
• An estimated 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner each year.
• 85% of domestic violence is women.
• Boys who witness domestic violence are twice as likely to abuse their own partners and children as adults
• 30% to 60% of perpetrators of intimate partner violence also abuse children in the household.
HOMICIDE AND INJURY
• Almost one-third of female homicide victims that are reported in police records are killed by an intimate partner.
• In 70-80% of intimate partner homicides, no matter which partner was, the man physically abused the woman before the murder.
• Less than one fifth of victims reporting an injury from intimate partner violence sought medical treatment following the injury.
• Intimate partner violence results in more than 18.5 million mental health care visits each year.
• There are 16,800 homicides and 2.2 million (medically treated) injuries due to intimate partner violence annually, which costs $37 billion.
REPORTING RATES
• Domestic Violence is one of the most chronically underreported crimes.
• Only approximately one-quarter of all physical assaults, one-fifth of all rapes, and one-half of all stalking perpetrated against females by intimate partners are reported to the police.
GETTING HELP
• If you need help or know someone who does call the Options Hot-line 24/7 at 870-367-3488 or the Options’ outreach office Mon-Fri 9-5, at 870-460-0684, located at 110 N. Main Street.
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