October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month; throughout October, advocates against domestic violence and survivors encourage the education and acknowledgment of domestic violence. The month gives a voice to survivors who publicly share their stories and provide the public with information on warning signs and patterns of domestic violence to foster more people to help their loved ones escape from domestic violence situations.

What Is Domestic Violence?

The United States Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women defines domestic violence as "a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner." When we think of domestic violence, we often think of men hitting their wives or girlfriends, but domestic violence encompasses much more. There are many acts, physical, sexual, and verbal, that are considered to be domestic violence; some of these include:

• Stalking
• Burning
• Strangling or choking
• Hitting, slapping, shoving, punching, or biting
• Denying a partner access to medical care
• Forcing drugs or alcohol upon a partner
• Emotional abuse
• Financial abuse (for example, restricting a partner's access to their money or credit cards)
• Technological abuse (such as using location tracking devices to harm, threaten, monitor, or harass a partner)
• Sexual assault
• Rape
• Homicide

Domestic Violence Statistics

Domestic violence can happen to anyone and is much more common than you might think. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence has compiled extensive data on instances of domestic violence throughout the country. Domestic violence can happen to anyone regardless of age, race, economic status, sexual orientation, religion, or gender identity. Domestic violence occurs in all types of relationships: opposite-sex relationships, same-sex relationships, married or unmarried. Each year, more than 10 million women and men in the United States face at least one instance of domestic violence. One in 4 women and 1 in 9 men will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. Children are rarely spared the trauma of experiencing domestic violence; one in 15 children are exposed to domestic violence each year.

Are You Facing Domestic Violence Charges? The LLF Law Firm Can Help

Finding that you are facing domestic violence charges can be very upsetting. Like most people, you probably don't think of yourself as a bad person or someone who would physically, sexually abuse, or scare the person you love. Accidents happen in the heat of the moment, actions and words get misconstrued, and things get out of hand. If this has happened to you, you aren't alone. Countless Pennsylvanians just like you face domestic charges each year, and the LLF Law Firm's Criminal Defense Team has helped many of these people get favorable outcomes in their domestic violence cases. Retain the LLF Law Firm by calling 888.535.3686 or submitting this online form to schedule your consultation today.