Delaware County, Indiana

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is a serious problem that effects our community every day.  Our office, along with other law enforcement agencies, are taking steps to educate the citizens of this county about this problem and to show them that there is no excuse for domestic violence,  in hopes of preventing anyone else from being a victim of this crime.  We will do this by holding batterers accountable.  Below you will find information about Domestic Violence, including steps you can take to help stop this from happening.  If you or someone you know has been a victim of Domestic Violence, please contact the appropriate law enforcement agency as soon as possible.

Primary Indicators of of a Batterer

Batterer's Ownership: A batterer who says "DEATH before DIVORCE" or "you belong to me and will never belong to another" may be stating their fundamental belief that you have absolutely no right to life separate from them.

Threats of Homicide or Suicide: A batterer who has threatened to kill you, themselves, your children, or your relatives must be considered extremely dangerous.

Fantasies of Homicide or Suicide: The more the batterer has developed a fantasy about whom, how, when to kill, the more dangerous they may be.  The batterer who has previously acted out part of a homicide or suicide fantasy may be invested in killing as a solution to his problem.

Obsessive about Partner or Family: A batterer who is obsessive about you, who idolizes you and feels that they cannot live without you or believes that they are entitled to you, your services, loyalty and obedience no matter what, is more likely to be life-endangering.

Centrality of Battered Women: If losing you represents a total loss of hope for a positive future, your batterer may choose to kill you.

Depression: Where a batterer has been acutely depressed and sees little hope for moving beyond the depression, they may be a candidate for homicide and suicide.  Research shows that many people who are hospitalized for depression have killing fantasies.

Weapons: Where a batterer possesses weapons and has used them or has threatened to use them in the past in their assaults on you, the children or themselves, their access to those weapons increases their potential for a lethal assault.  If a batterer has a history of arson or the threat of arson, fire should be considered as a weapon.

Timing: When a desperate batterer believes that they are about to lose you or when they conclude that you are permanently leaving them and they cannot envision life without you, this may be when they choose to kill.  That is not to say that all batterers kill when they conclude that they victim is separating from them.  Some kill long before they have any inkling that the victim may be thinking about leaving.  So, it is not safe to assume that because you haven't made plans to leave that the batterer will not be dangerous.

Effects of Domestic Violence on Children

The negative effects that Domestic Violence can and does have on children can be both immediate and long-term.  The effects can be displayed in many forms.  Below are some facts and figures related to how this crime can affect our children: 

Domestic Violence and Pregnancy 

• 28% of all females battered are pregnant.
• The March of Dimes reports that more babies are now born with birth defects as a result of their mothers being battered during pregnancy than from the combination of all the diseases and illnesses for which we immunize pregnant women.

 Domestic Violence and Future Batterers 

• Violence in the home is emulated and modeled and becomes the primary method of conflict resolution.
• Batterers and abusers tend to isolate their family to keep violence a secret, which cuts children off from other positive role models and taints their developmental process.
• 85% of batterers witnesses Domestic Violence as children.
• Those boys who witness their fathers' abuse of their mothers are more likely to inflict severe violence as adults.
• Data suggests that girls who witness maternal abuse may tolerate abuse as adults more than girls who do not.

 Domestic Violence and Juvenile Delinquency 

• 63% of juveniles serving time in jail for murder are there for killing an abusive father, stepfather, or mother's live-in boyfriend in an attempt to protect their mother.
• Being abused or neglected as a child increases the risk of arrest as a juvenile by 53%, as an adult by 38%, and for violent crime by 38%.
• Violent juveniles are 4 times more likely than are nonviolent juveniles to come from homes in which their fathers beat their mothers.
• Children raised in violent homes are
  • 6 times as likely to commit suicide;
  • 26 times as likely to commit sexual assault;
  • 57 times as likely to abuse drugs;
  • 75 times as likely to commit other crimes against people.

 Domestic Violence and Behavioral/Emotional Problems 

• 87% of the Domestic Violence assaults in this country are witnessed by children.
• 1/3rd of the children who witness Domestic Violence demonstrate significant behavioral and/or emotional problems, including:
  • Psychosomatic Disorders;
  • Depression;
  • Stuttering;
  • Anxiety and fears;
  • Sleep disruption;
  • Low self-esteem;
  • Impulse control problems;
  • Mood-related problems;
  • Excessive crying;
  • School problems;
  • Runaway behavior; and
  • Drug abuse

Domestic Violence and Child Injury/Death

• Children are often hurt during the violence as they get caught in between or try to intervene.
• Children in violent homes are the target of abuse at a 1500% higher rate than the national average.
• 62% of sons injured over the age of 14 are injured while attempting to protect their mother.
• In one study, 27% of Domestic Homicide victims were children.
• When children are killed during a domestic dispute, 90% are under the age of 10, 56% are under the age of 2.

Domestic Violence and Educational Problems

• Children who witness Domestic Violence in their home are more likely to suffer from educational or school-related problems.  This may result because of the following
  • Violent homes are loud and tension filled;
  • Food, shelter and safety take precedence over school;
  • Children are moved from school to school for a number of reasons, possibility to keep the violence a secret.

Red Flag Behaviors for Children Who Witness Domestic Violence

• Below are some of the more common behaviors demonstrated by children who have been witnesses or victims of Domestic Violence:
  • Aggressiveness - attacking others, destroying property, cruelty to animals, verbal attacks.
  • Passive/Withdrawn - avoids conflict, internalizes feelings, becomes the perfect child.
  • Manipulative - extreme jealousy, sulking, "getting sick."
  • Rebellious/Acting Out - challenges authority, smoking/drinking/doing drugs, skips school, runs away, steals.
  • Psychological Cues - suicidal ideation/behaviors, depression, nightmares.
  • Health Problems - headaches, stomach aches, irritable bowels, bedwetting, backaches, skin rashes, mouth ulcers/cold sores, ear aches.

 Domestic Violence Prevention

Safety plans

• Plan a safe place to go if you have to leave suddenly.
• Plan a primary and backup escape route out of your home.
• Arrange a signal with a trusted friend for when you need help.
• Hide an emergency bag of clothes medications and important papers like birth certificates, Social Security cards, public assistance cards, protective orders, green cards, etc.
• Carry a fully-charged cell phone.
• Always carry your wallet with some cash, a few checks, bank account numbers, and credit/debit cards.
• Hide a set of house and car keys.
• Teach your children to call 911.
• Try to not leave without your children.
• Contact your local domestic violence program for support, to talk about safety planning and information on 24-hour safe shelter.

Telephone numbers for help and resources

• Emergency: 911
• A better way: 765-747-9107
• Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK
• 24 – Hour Crisis Line: 765-288-HELP

Links to Resources

A Better Way

YWCA of Muncie

National Domestic Violence Hotline

Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence

National Network to End Domestic Violence