Community Care Team News
September/October 2003

This issue is dedicated to bringing to light facts and resources related to domestic violence.
Did You Know...
  • Every 15 seconds a woman is beaten in the U.S.
  • Domestic violence results in more injuries that require medical attention than rape, accidents and muggings, combined.
  • Two in five women who are murdered are killed by their husbands.
  • Abused women comprise 20% of all women presenting injuries at hospital emergency rooms.
  • Every five years, the number of women who die in the U.S. at the hands of their partners is equal to the number of men who died in the Viet Nam War.
Not in My Town!
Domestic Violence is probably the most pervasive and least acknowledged crime in America. It cuts across all socioeconomic backgrounds, regardless of race, religion, or level of education. Domestic violence is often part of a pattern of threats, insults, insane jealousy, explosive temper and attempts to isolate and overpower a woman. Once violence has occurred in a relationship, it almost always reoccurs. In fact, it tends to get more severe and more frequent as time goes on. This happens even when the man apologizes and promises to change after a violent incident.

Impact on Children
Children who grow up in violent homes come to believe that violence is a normal part of intimate relationships. They come to believe that it is an acceptable way to control someone else. When violence is learned at home, children have no refuge-there is often no where to go or no adult to keep them safe. Exposure to violence affects the child's perception of self in the world, including whether relationships are safe or dependable. There is scientific evidence that exposure to violence impacts brain development in even the youngest children. Very young children can show patterns of aggression or withdrawal, become depressed or live in a state of hyper-arousal. The majority of adult violent prisoners were raised in violent homes. The majority of domestic violence victims were also raised in homes where violence was the norm. 		  Signs of Domestic Violence
There are physical as well as emotional forms of domestic violence.
Physical signs include:
  • Bruises and welts
  • Burns
  • Fractures (including skull)
  • Dislocations
Emotional signs include:
  • Intimidation
  • Isolation
  • Extreme jealousy
  • Controlling behavior
  • Humiliation
  • Violent mood changes
  • Cruelty to children or animals
  • Blaming others for problems
  • Breaking objects
  • Stalking
Local Resources
There are several nearby resources available for abused women and their families.
Mutual Ground located in Aurora provides emergency shelter for women and their minor children who are victims of domestic violence. Professional staff are available 24 hours a day. Domestic violence counseling is also available to women and children who are in abusive homes, but do not need shelter. The hotline number is 630/897-0080
Safe Passage in DeKalb also provides emergency shelter for women and children. Their 24-hour hotline is: 815/756-2228.
Family Counseling Service of Aurora offers three abuse intervention treatment programs. M.A.R.S. is for both voluntary and court-ordered men who have been violent in domestic relationships.
F.A.I.R. is an anger intervention program for women. It is designed for both voluntary and court-ordered offenders.
Teen M.A.R.S. and F.A.I.R. is an abuse intervention program for adolescents. It has a simultaneous parent group also designed to end the cycle of family violence or violent dating relationships. For information call 630/844-2662.