Domestic violence affects more people than you might realize. In a 2004 Allstate Foundation poll, 74 percent of respondents said that they or someone they knew was affected by domestic violence. It's a problem that costs three women their lives every day, on average, the National Domestic Violence Hotline reports. Though women are more likely than men to be victims of domestic abuse, men can be abused by their domestic partners, too.
Types
There are several types of help you can seek out to deal with an abusive relationship. Shelters give you and your children a safe place to go, where you can get short-term accommodations, childcare help and food. Legal aid gives you resources to file for restraining orders, divorce and any other court support you need. Employment programs, financial assistance and childcare assistance can help you build economic stability. Counseling and therapy for you and the rest of your family can help you deal with the effects of domestic violence.
Challenges
It can be incredibly difficult to leave an abusive relationship and seek help, even if you recognize that it is abusive, says the National Women's Health Information Center's Violence Against Women resource. Abusers may isolate you from your friends and family, leaving you without a support network, and the emotional, physical and financial effects of abuse can make you feel too helpless to leave.
Benefits
Seeking help for domestic violence can save your life. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that domestic abuse causes 1,200 deaths each year and injures 2 million women and 600,000 men. Domestic violence is expensive, costing companies more than $72.8 million each year in lost productivity, reports the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
Privacy
Most domestic violence help organizations will also help you maintain your privacy, either by registering you under a false name or keeping your records private. You also aren't required to give your name at all when you come to many shelters.
Warning
If you are in an abusive relationship, the National Women's Health Information Center recommends being careful about accessing domestic violence resources on your computer. It's impossible to completely erase your computer's website history, and your partner could use your computer records to figure out your escape plan or track you down after you leave. If you're worried about your safety, use a friend's computer or a public computer at the library.
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