Domestic / Dating Violence

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She didn't see a way out. He had made sure of it. She knew she and her children deserved a better life - one where they didn't have to walk around on eggshells; one where they felt safe.

But where would she go? Who could help her and her children?

Last time she had called the cops on him, after he had beaten her so bad and threatened to kill her, the victim advocate from the Sheriff's Office had given her a card with a number for a place called Tu Casa, Inc.

As she reached for the card with the number on it and dialed, she wondered if she was doing the right thing. A woman answered and asked how she could help. She told her her story, and the woman began to tell her the many ways Tu Casa could help her and her children. She started to cry out of relief and the pure ability to let her guard down.

She knew she had made the right decision to call.

Everyday thousands of women and men fall victim to domestic violence.

Tu Casa can help. To help us help those in need, click here.

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Definition of Domestic Violence

An act or threat of violence that restricts the activity and independence of another individual. It can include physical, sexual and psychological attacks, and economic control. Any of these acts may include a violation of a protection order previously issued. (97% of victims are female, but males can also be victims).
Isolation - controlling your activities, not allowing you to see family or friends, not allowing you to go anywhere alone or becoming very angry when you do.
Threats - to leave you, harm you, commit suicide, take the children, kill you, or intimidate through looks and gestures , destroy your personal property or pets.
Verbal/Emotional Abuse - put-downs, name callings, minimizing your feelings, blaming others you, humiliating you, jealousy, accusations of infidelity.
Physical and Sexual Abuse - hits, shoves, pushes you or your children when they try to help you, forces sex, jokes about his affairs, withholds affection.
Predominant aggressor means the main abusive partner of the relationship. To identify predominant aggressor you must take into account past history of abuse, the likelihood of inflicting future injuries, and possibility that one person was not acting in self-defense.

Not sure if you are in an abusive relationship? Take this quick quiz and find out.

Domestic Violence Statistics

A woman is beaten every 9 seconds in the United States.
3 to 4 million women are beaten each year by their partners or spouses.
Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women, causing more injuries than car accidents, muggings, and rapes combined.
At least 25% of women who are victims of domestic violence are beaten while they are pregnant.
More than 3 million children witness acts of domestic violence each year.

In Colorado in 2008, at least 33 people died in 24 fatal incidents related to domestic abuse. Those incidents included:

17 intimate partners murdered (16 female victims were killed by a male partner, and 1 male victim was killed by a female partner).
7 children murdered.
1 friend, 1 relative, and 1 dating partner of a victim murdered.
4 perpetrator suicides.
2 perpetrators killed by law enforcement.

Learn more about...

Domestic Violence Myths

Warning Signs of Domestic Violence

Effects of Domestic Violence on Children

Preventing Domestic Violence

Why Victims Stay

If You Suspect Domestic Violence

Relationships: Healthy vs. Unhealthy

Abuse in LGBTQ Relationships

Common Responses to Trauma

Your Rights as a Victim

Domestic Violence is a crime. You have rights as a victim under the Victims Rights Act and can apply for Crime Victims Compensation. We can help you obtain and file applications through the District Attorney’s office. Contact us to learn more about your rights as a victim and victim compensation.

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Security and Safety Expert Gavin de Becker discusses

Relationship Violence on the Oprah Show

The Oprah Show's "Stay Alive" expert Gavin de Becker unveils a new tool to help keep you safe. Click here to see a clip from the show.

Click here to read more about this Oprah Show and to use the Mosaic Tool. Read more about signs of an abusive relationship -Relationship Violence Red Flags.

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Elder Abuse

Elder abuse is a term referring to any knowing, intentional, or negligent act by a caregiver or any other person that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to a vulnerable adult. The specificity of laws varies from state to state, but broadly defined, abuse may be:

Physical Abuse - Inflicting, or threatening to inflict, physical pain or injury on a vulnerable elder, or depriving them of a basic need.
Emotional Abuse - Inflicting mental pain, anguish, or distress on an elder person through verbal or nonverbal acts.
Sexual Abuse - Non-consensual sexual contact of any kind.
Exploitation - Illegal taking, misuse, or concealment of funds, property, or assets of a vulnerable elder.
Neglect - Refusal or failure by those responsible to provide food, shelter, health care or protection for a vulnerable elder.
Abandonment - The desertion of a vulnerable elder by anyone who has assumed the responsibility for care or custody of that person.

Elder abuse can affect people of all ethnic backgrounds and social status and can affect both men and women. See our section on Types of Abuse for more information on the types of elder abuse.

Learn more about...

The Warning Signs of Elder Abuse

Risk Factors for Elder Abuse

Elder Abuse FAQ's

Factsheets on Elder Abuse, Reporting and Caregiving

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February is National Teen Dating Violence Awareness & Prevention Month

For years, young people across the nation have organized to put a stop to dating violence. With their adult allies, they achieved a major victory in 2005 when the importance of addressing teen dating violence was highlighted in the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. The following year, Congress followed the lead of dozens of national, state and local organizations in sounding the call to end teen dating violence. Both Chambers declared the first full week in February "National Teen Dating Violence Prevention and Awareness Week." Then in 2010, Congress began dedicating the entire month of February to teen dating violence awareness and prevention. Now in its second year, Teen DV Month is celebrated by leaders in government, student bodies, schools, youth service providers, community-based organizations, parents and more. Join us in promoting awareness of and preventing teen dating violence.

Learn more about...

Teen Dating Violence and Warning Signs

Resources Available

Helpful Handouts - in English

Helpful Handouts - en Espanol

Is your relationship healthy? Take our Quiz, and find out.

Events Honoring February as National Teen Dating Violence Awareness & Prevention Month

If you or someone you know is or has been a victim of teen dating violence, please Contact Us.

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