Falsehood and facts about Domestic Violence

False:	Domestic violence does not happen to many people.
Fact:	Domestic violence is believed to be the most common, but least reported crime in Nigeria and the world at large.
False:	Domestic violence is only physical abuse.
Fact:	Physical abuse is just a minute part of a larger picture of domestic violence,which also includes psychological, emotional, sexual and/or economic abuse.
False:	If the violent episodes are not frequent, the situation is not that serious.
Fact:	Even if the violence doesn’t occur often, the threat of it remains a terrorizing means of control. No matter the different times the violent episodes are, each one is a reminder of the one that has happened before and creates fear of the one that will happen in the future.
False:	Domestic violence is just a momentary loss of temper.
Fact:	Domestic violence is practically the opposite of a “momentary loss of temper.” The abuser intentionally abuses. The abuse is an ongoing technique to enforce control.
False:	If the offender is truly sorry and promises to change, the abuse is going to stop.
Fact:	Apology and begging for forgiveness are deceptive methods used by abusers to control their victims. They rarely stop abusing. The abuse often gets worse as time goes on.
False:	Domestic violence is mainly caused by drugs or alcohol.
Fact:	Alcohol, drugs and stress are not causes of abuse. Not every violator is a substance abuser. Not every violator is a substance abuser.  Substance abuse is not a cause of domestic violence. Substance abuse only contributes to severity of the abuse.
False:	Domestic violence happens more often in poorer families.
Fact:	Domestic violence has nothing to do with your culture, race, income and educational levels. Battering can happen to anyone and can be committed by anyone.
False:	Victims are attacked because they provoke their partners or have the type of personality that encourages abuse.
Fact:	Many people only consider the victim to understand why abuse happens. However, battering is a choice, and the person who does it, is the only one responsible for that behavior. No one can make another person hit them. There is never a time when hitting is the solution.
False:	The victim can opt out of the relationship.
Fact:	Victims believe that they are hopeless and do not have any place to go where they will be safe from the abuser. The abuser often knows the victim’s friends and family members and can find a victim who leaves. It takes money, a support network, proper structure and time to ensure victim's escape.
False:	Victims have the types of personalities that urge and encourage abuse.
Fact:	Various studies have shown and determined that there are no set of personality traits that describe victims of abuse. It is the abuser who is responsible for the abuse, not the victim.

#SAY NO TO DOMESTIC ABUSE

#SAY NO TO RAPE