Instances of domestic violence have been increasing in Massachusetts over the last few years. During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, our staff at Mattapan Community Health Center would like to give you some information regarding assaults and some resources that are available to help families in abusive households.

Domestic violence is not limited to physical assault, but is inclusive of emotional abuse, stalking, sexual assault, and human trafficking. Men can also be victims of domestic violence, but intimate partner violence is on the rise among teens, elderly, immigrants, and same-sex couples.

Unfortunately, violence between intimate partners is increasing at an alarming rate. Jane Doe Inc. reported that in one day there were 2,018 victims served with approximately 32 calls per hour to domestic violence hotlines in the state. In Massachusetts an estimated 1.3 million women have been victims of physical assault by an intimate partner.

Jane Doe also reports that throughout the state in 2007, there were 55 domestic violence-related homicides, the highest such number in 15 years. Through September of this year, there have been 34 deaths, up from 23 total in all of. You can find the narratives surrounding each domestic related homicide January 2009 to September 2010 at janedoe.org.

According to the American Bar Association, African-American women (including black women of Caribbean and African descent) suffer deadly violence from family members at rates decidedly higher than that for other racial groups in the United States. The ABA also notes that overall, African Americans were victimized by intimate partners at significantly higher rates than persons of any other race between 1993 and 1998. Black females experienced intimate partner violence at a rate 35 percent higher than that of white females, and about 22 times the rate of women of other races. Black males experienced intimate partner violence at a rate about 62 percent higher than that of white males and about 22 times the rate of men of other races.

Rates of domestic violence are increasing among immigrants, pregnant women, and, most alarmingly, for teens. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADW) and Jane Doe Inc. report that women between the ages of 16 and 24 have the highest rate of per capita intimate violence at 20 per 1,000 women. They also state that

• 11 percent of Massachusetts high school students reported being shoved, hit, slapped, physically hurt on purpose, or forced into sexual activity by their boyfriend or girlfriend.
• 26 percent reported enduring repeated verbal abuse.
• Nearly one in five teen girls reported that their boyfriend threatened violence or self harm when presented with a break-up.
• 43 percent of girls say the abuse occurs in a school building or on school grounds.
• Over 30 percent of teens do not tell anyone of the abuse – less than 3 percent report abuse to police or another authority figure or tell a family member.
• 14 percent of high school students reported that they had bullied or pushed someone around in the previous twelve months.

Besides the physical risk, there are other effects that are associated with dating violence. Girls and women can become more likely to smoke, fight, binge drink, and have mental health issues (i.e. anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder). Male victims of domestic violence experience similar mental health issues. Children who are exposed to domestic violence are more likely to display behavioral and physical health problems, violence towards peers, runaway impulses, abuse drugs, and attempt suicide. If you or someone you know is being verbally or physically abused by a partner, please confide in someone and seek help.

Regardless of your age, race, gender, immigration status or sexual orientation there are resources available to help you (and your children) get into a safe environment. In Massachusetts, you can contact Safelink at 1-877-785-2020, Jane Doe Inc at 617-248-0922, National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline at 1-866-331-9474 or visit loveisrespect.org. If you have questions, please contact me at the health center at 617-898-9006.

Temia Rouse is a social worker at the Mattapan Community Health Center.