Domestic violence or intimate partner violence is not love. It is a pattern of behavior attempting to establish power and control over another person. Anyone can become a victim of domestic violence regardless of income, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or religion. In fact, 1 in 4 women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime and men can also be victimized.
An abuser might attempt to control the victim through:
- Extreme jealousy or possessiveness such as constantly calling, texting and keeping tabs on the victim. This pattern can lead to intense arguments that make the victim feel controlled and isolated from friends and family.
- Emotional/verbal abuse such as name-calling, humiliation and constant criticism.
- Psychological abuse including threats to harm the victim or the victim's family and friends, threats to hurt oneself if the victim does not comply with demands, destroying the victim's property, and/or stalking.
- Economic abuse such as controlling the victim?s money, withholding money, interfering with the victim's job or schooling, or by damaging the victim?s credit.
- Physical abuse such as hitting, punching, grabbing, kicking or slapping.
- Sexual abuse such as rape, sexual assault, forced prostitution, or by interfering with birth control.
If you feel you are a victim of domestic violence or intimate partner violence, there is help. Contact the Family Justice Center at 865-521-6336 or click here. Your life and emotional well-being could be at risk. It is a serious issue and no one should have to suffer alone.
The Knox County Health Department rape and violence prevention program provides prevention services, program development and technical support for the primary prevention of rape, sexual assault and other forms of interpersonal violence in Knox County. Click here to learn more.
Domestic violence in our community:
- According to the Knox County Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 10.3% of Knox County Schools High School students (males and females) reported being hit, slapped or physically hurt by their boyfriend/girlfriend during the 12 months before the survey.
- According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation's 2013 Report, domestic violence offenses made up 51.4% of all crimes against persons.
- A count of domestic violence victims reported from 2009 through 2011 in the State of Tennessee totaled 255,155.
