Domestic Violence
Myths and Facts
MYTH: A woman can always leave.
FACT: There are many factors that make it difficult to leave.
A woman may fear for the lives of her children or herself.
She may have no job or money and lack confidence to obtain
work. She may feel guilty for breaking up the family unit and
may still love her partner. She may not want to leave, she
may just want the abuse to stop.
MYTH: The woman must have done something to deserve it.
FACT: The man may be seen as a nice
considerate man to others outside the home so the woman
may start to believe it must
be her fault. The man often tells his partner that the
violence is her fault so that he doesn’t have to
take responsibility for his own behaviour.
MYTH:
He’s good
with the kids. Children are better off with both parents.
FACT:Children are affected by living in a violent home. They
may feel it is their fault or they may grow up thinking violence
in a relationship is acceptable. Being violent to a partner is
not being good to the kids.
MYTH:
He’s under
a lot of stress.
FACT: Everyone has times of stress in their lives but everyone
has a choice how they handle it. Choosing to be abusive to
someone to relieve stress is not acceptable.
MYTH: Violence
is caused by alcohol or
drugs.
FACT: Alcohol and drugs can lower inhibitions and are often
used as an excuse for violent behaviour rather than taking
responsibility for their actions.
Many people use alcohol and drugs without being abusive.
MYTH:
What goes on in the home is no one else’s business.
FACT: No one has the right to be violent
or threaten anyone. It makes no
difference whether they are living
together, physical assault is a crime.
Any domestic violence is unacceptable.
The Effects
of Violence on Children
Children often know exactly what is going on. They suffer and
are hurt by hearing and witnessing violence. This is called
emotional child abuse.
Some effects on children who witness domestic violence may include; 
