People
By Christine Pelisek
Domestic violence does not discriminate. It victimizes both young and old, rich and poor, and people of all races, religions and sexual orientations.
According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, approximately 20 people per minute are physically abused by a partner in the United States — an astounding 10 million women and men annually.
Kim Kavern, senior director with Safe Horizon, spoke to People about this topic in an article published in 2019. Kavern describes domestic violence as a “national crisis.” “It is certainly one of the leading causes of death among women,” she says.
Here are seven signs often displayed by people abused by their partners.
1. Their Partner Insults Them In Front of Other People
2. They Seem Constantly Worried About Angering Their Partner
3. They Make Excuses for Their Partner’s Behavior
4. Their Partner Is Extremely Jealous or Possessive
5. They Have Unexplained Marks or Injuries
6. They’ve Stopped Spending Time With Friends and Family
7. They Are Depressed or Anxious or Display Changes in Personality
For assistance in New York City, Safe Horizon’s hotlines are available 24 hours a day.
For help outside of New York City, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org.