Domestic violence is the abuse of power by one person over another in an intimate relationship. It takes many forms including physical, sexual, and psychological abuse as well as economic control. Domestic violence can occur between family members, intimate partners and other household members. Domestic violence is not limited to a certain race, age, sexual orientation, religion, or gender. Domestic violence affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels. The CDC reports that approximately 1- in-4 women and 1-in-10 men will experience domestic violence at some point during their lives.
Domestic violence is a serious crime; it can result in physical injury, emotional trauma, and even death. According to the Ohio Domestic Violence Network, our state saw 131 domestic violence fatalities across 31 counties between July 2020 and July 2021. Victims ranged in age from one-year-old to eighty-years-old. At least 20 of the perpetrators previously had been charged with domestic violence, underscoring the importance of prevention and intervention in domestic violence cases.
Domestic Violence is preventable. Working together, we can make Wayne and Holmes Counties safer for everyone. As a bystander or someone directly involved in an abusive situation, there are several steps you can take to help prevent or end the abuse:
Learn about the warning signs of abusive relationships and how to respond if you suspect abuse.
If you know someone who is being abused, make sure they are safe and supported by encouraging them to seek assistance from an advocacy agency or other local resources.
Be aware that some people in abusive relationships will stay with their abusers because they believe it's safer than leaving the relationship, or believe the abuser will change. You should encourage your friend or loved one who may be a victim of domestic violence to get help immediately.
If you are displaying abusive behavior, remove yourself from the situation and seek help from a licensed counselor immediately to end the cycle of abuse.
Get help for yourself. If you feel overwhelmed or anxious while trying to help another person who is experiencing domestic violence, it's important that you find support.
No one deserves to live in fear. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please contact our community partner, One-Eighty at their 24-hour hotline: 1-800-686-1122, or visit their resource page for more information and support services. One-Eighty provides a variety of services for domestic violence survivors, including an emergency shelter, counseling, and victim advocacy. For additional mental healthcare services for people experiencing or recovering from domestic violence, please contact The Counseling Center of Wayne and Holmes County or The Catholic Charities Diocese of Cleveland.
Wayne/Holmes Mental Health & Recovery Board
We aim to improve awareness of and access to mental health and addiction treatment and prevention services in Wayne & Holmes Counties.
We provide leadership, support, and funding to community partners and agencies in the delivery of mental health and addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery services.
Our agencies provide addiction treatment programs, mental health counseling, suicide prevention programming, and more! Experience you can trust.