City of Olivette Police Department

Domestic Violence -

(Note:  Please scroll down to the end of this article for links to additional information and assistance.)

There are many different categories of domestic violence, including physical, sexual, emotional, intimidation, economic deprivation, or threats of violence.  There is one common factor between all of them – one partner is the person with the power and control in the relationship.  Domestic violence, also known as domestic abuse, can be an occasional or constant factor in a relationship.  And the severity of it can range anywhere from psychological or physical harm, to the need for treatment, and even up to permanent injury or death. 

It is estimated that only about 33% of domestic violence cases are reported each year in the United States.  Although it is mostly reported as women being the victim of this crime, men have become victims as well.  The reason for the low number of reported cases are mostly either because the victim fears retaliation or does not know the meaning of domestic violence or abuse. 

Domestic Violence can be defined as a pattern of behavior that is characterized by the misuse of power and control by one person over another who are or were in an intimate relationship.  Abuse can appear in the form of threats, name-calling, preventing contact with friends and family, withholding money, physical harm, sexual assault, or stalking.  The key to this is that the actions are repeated over time.  

Physical abuse can be direct or indirect.  Direct forms range from any unwanted physical contact to rape or death.  Indirect forms can range from destruction of objects, throwing objects, or harm to animals.  Emotional abuse can be verbal threats, insults, put-downs, or attacks toward the victim, self, or children.  It can range from explicit, detailed comments to implicit and vague.  Nonverbal threats are also a form of emotional abuse.  They can include gestures, facial expressions, and body postures.  Economic abuse is the controlling of the victim’s money and other economic resources, preventing the victim from seeing friends and relatives, actively sabotaging social relationships, and isolating the victim from social contact.  The least known about form of abuse is spiritual abuse.  This is the taking of the victim’s beliefs and using it against them.  Any form of abuse is used intentionally when it comes to domestic violence.   

Children are also affected when it comes to domestic violence.  Living in a household where domestic violence happens can be witnessed by the children.  The actual witnessing of the abuse and the attitude or personality of both the abuser and the victim affects children.  If children are exposed to abuse within their household, they are more likely to repeat the pattern as adults. 

Many different factors can lead to the cause of domestic violence.  The most widely known include substance abuse, mental illnesses, classism, and various political and legal characteristics.  Abusers have also been known to use the victim’s feelings of low self-esteem, their own unresolved childhood conflicts, stress of poverty, hostility, the resentment towards the same or opposite sex, personality disorders, and their own abusive personalities.   

The Olivette Police Department urges anyone who is the victim of or witnesses this type of crime to report it to the police department.  Please refer to our other links for further information on this topic.

	Separation Tips for Victims of Domestic Violence (pdf format)
	Alternatives to Living In Violent Environments
	National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
	Children's Advocacy Services of Greater St. Louis
	Missouri Coalition Against Domestic Violence
	The Women's Safe House
	Crime Victim Advocacy Center of St. Louis
	Legal Advocates for Abused Women
	Missouri Department of Social Services
	Missouri Domestic Violence and Legal Resources
	Missouri Domestic Violence Crisis and Support Resources
	St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney
	Safe Horizon
	United Way of Greater St. Louis