All of you know how much needs to be done to take meaningful steps to end domestic violence and sexual assault. We

need tough law enforcement, aggressive prosecutions, effective prevention programs and available shelters for families in

distress. Most importantly, we need to insure that more people know and understand that domestic violence is not a private

matter. It is a critical national problem that affects us all -- in every community, in every work place and in every school.

Each of us can do more -- and this booklet shows us how.

President Clinton recognized the seriousness of the problem when he signed the Violence Against Women Act as part of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994. In the past year, we have sought to combine tough federal penalties along with substan-tial resources to the states to begin dealing with the problem of domes-tic violence in a comprehensive, multi-faceted way. We have encour-aged the states and local law enforcement agencies to begin programs that will enhance their ability to prevent domestic violence, to punish it and to stop the cycle of violence. The Act also established a National Domestic Violence Hotline, 1-800-799-SAFE.

Here at the Justice Department, Bonnie Campbell and the Violence Against Women Office have worked to get the

message out and to pro-vide guidance to law enforcement agencies throughout the country. HHS Secretary Donna E.

Shalala and I have a very active Advisory Council which is proposing creative ideas on implementing the Violence Against

Women Act. In addition, President Clinton has called on all the departments of the Federal government to develop

employee awareness campaigns to help combat domestic violence.

I encourage you to share this booklet with anyone you know who might be at risk of domestic violence. By working together,

exchang-ing ideas, and coordinating our work in this area, we can begin to end the terrible cycle of violence that destroys so

many American lives.

Janet Reno



## Breaking the Silence on Domestic Violence



Too many people continue to believe that domestic violence is a private matter between a couple, rather than a criminal

offense that merits a strong and swift response. Even today, the victim of a domestic assault runs the risk of being asked,

"What did you do to make your husband angry?" This questions implies the victim is to blame for this abuse. People in our

criminal justice system -- police, prosecutors, judges, and jurors - need to be educated about the role they can play in

curbing acts of domestic violence.

Even when cases are brought, domestic crimes are difficult to prosecute. All too often victims are so terrorized that they fear

for their lives if they call the police. Silence is the batterer's best friend. We have to end the silence and change our attitudes

toward domestic crime.

Neighbors must contact the police when they hear violent fights in their neighborhoods. Don't turn up the television to

block out the sounds of the drunken argument next door. Call the police.

Teachers should be alert to signs that students have witnessed violence at home. Children who grow up in violent homes

are more likely to become violent themselves.

Medical professionals who see the victims of violence need to ask them about these crimes. Too often, doctors or

emergency room person-nel accept the statement of fearful victims that their bruises or cuts are the result of household

accidents or falls. When a woman with a black eye says that she fell and hit the doorknob, doctors and nurses must ask:

"Did someone hit you?"

Members of the clergy need to become more involved as well. We just can't tell a battered spouse to "go home and make

it work," as was done in the past. Sending a woman back to a battering husband often places her life at risk. Of course, we

can't tell a woman who lives in a violent relationship what to do, but we can make a greater effort to let her know that other

options are available for her and her children. Early intervention is crucial.

These crimes are serious. Experience shows that levels of violence in these relationships tend to escalate, and many

police departments cite domestic violence as their number one problem. Tough laws and effective prosecutions, combined

with education and a cooperative approach among law enforcement and social service agencies, will take time to be effec-tive. Until then, we all must take a greater role in reporting domestic abuse. Our efforts to break the silence can make a

difference.



Domestice Violence...What is it?



In an abusive relationship, the abuser may use a number of tactics other than physical violence in order to maintain

power and control over his or her partner:

Emotional and verbal abuse:

    Survivors of domestic violence recount stories of put-downs, public humiliation, name-calling, mind games and

manipulation by their partners. Many say that the emotional abuse they have suffered has left the deepest

scars,

Isolation:

    It is common for an abuser to be extremely jealous, and insist that the victim not see her friends or family members. The

resulting feeling of isolation may then be increased for the victim if she loses her job as a result of absenteeism or decreased

productivity (which are often associated with people who are experiencing domestic violence).

Threats and Intimidation:

    Threats -- including threats of violence, suicide, or of taking away the children -- are a very common tactic employed by the

batterer.

The existence of emotional and verbal abuse, attempts to isolate, and threats and intimidation within a relationship may

be an indication that physical abuse is to follow. Even if they are not accompanied by physical abuse, the effect of these

incidents must not be minimized. Many of the resources listed in this book have information available for people who are

involved with an emotionally abusive intimate partner.

For additional information on the domestic violence definitions and laws in your state, please contact the state resource listed

in the back of this book.





- Women were attacked about six times more often by offenders with whom they had an intimate relationship than

     were male violence vic-tims.
- Nearly 30 percent of all female homicide victims were known to have been killed by their husbands, former husbands

     or boyfriends.
- In contrast, just over 3 percent of male homicide victims were known to have been killed by their wives, former wives

     or girl-friends.
- Husbands, former husbands, boyfriends and ex-boyfriends commit-ted more than one million violent acts against

     women.
- Family members or other people they knew committed more than 2.7 million violent crimes against women.
- Husbands, former husbands, boyfriends and ex-boyfriends commit-ted 26 percent of rapes and sexual assaults.
- Forty-five percent of all violent attacks against female victims 12 years old and older by multiple offenders involve

     offenders they know.
- The rate of intimate-offender attacks on women separated from their husbands was about three times higher than that

     of divorced women and about 25 times higher than that of married women.
- Women of all races were equally vulnerable to attacks by intimates.
- Female victims of violence were morn likely to be injured when attacked by someone they knew than female

     victims of violence who were attacked by strangers.



















Adapted from:: "Preventing Violence Against Women, Not Just a Women's Issue," National Crime Prevention Council, 1995.



- I'm afraid for your safety.
- I'm afraid for the safety of your children.
- It will only get worse.
- We're here for you when you are ready or when you are able to leave.
- You deserve better than this.
- Let's figure out a safety plan for you.









- Think about all possible escape routes. Doors, first-floor windows, basement exits, elevators, stairwells. Rehearse if

     possible.
- Choose a place to go. To the home of a friend or relative who will offer unconditional support, or a motel or hotel,

     or a shelter - most importantly somewhere you will feel safe.
- Pack a survival kit. Money for cab fare, a change of clothes, extra house and car keys, birth certificates, passports,

     medications and copies of prescriptions, insurance information, checkbook, credit cards, legal documents such as

     separation agreements and protection orders, address books, and valuable jewelry, and papers that show jointly

     owned assets. Conceal it in the home or leave it with a trusted neighbor, friend, or rela-tive. Important papers can

     also be left in a bank deposit box.
- Try to start an individual savings account. Have statements sent to a trusted relative or friend.
- Avoid arguments with the abuser in areas with potential weapons. Kitchen, garage, or in small spaces without access

     to an outside door.
- Know the telephone number of the domestic violence hotline. Contact it for information on resources and legal rights.
- Review the safety plan monthly.









- Expand education and awareness efforts to increase positive atti-tudes toward nonviolence and encourage

     individuals to report family violence.
- Form coordinating councils or task forces to assess the problem, develop an action plan, and monitor progress.
- Mandate training in domestic violence for all social services and criminal justice professionals.
- Advocate laws and judicial procedures at the state and local levels that support and protect battered women.
- Establish centers where visits between battemrs and their children may be supervised, for the children's safety.
- Fund shelters adequately.
- Recruit and train volunteers to staff hotlines, accompany victims to court, and provide administrative support to

     shelters and victim ser-vices.
- Improve collection of child support.
- Establish medical protocols to help physicians and other health care personnel identify and help victims of domestic

     abuse.
- Provide legal representation for victims of domestic violence.
- Advocate for the accessibility of services for all population groups, especially undeserved populations which

     include immigrants and refugees, gays and lesbians, racial and ethnic minorities and the disabled.





Fifty-seven percent believe domestic violence is a major problem in society.One-third thought this problem had a negative impact on their bottom lines.Four out of ten executives surveyed were personally aware of employees and other individuals affected by

     domestic violence.

    To ensure that the Federal government will be a leader in educating employees about the serious implications of domestic

violence, President Clinton has directed the heads of every Federal department to conduct employee awareness campaigns

on the issue. Similar programs are under-way in corporate America, led by companies such as the Polaroid Corporation,

MarshalIs Inc., Liz Claiborne Inc., and Aetna.





Through this campaign, we hope to put people in touch with resources, such as Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)

and publications which will be helpful in combatting the crime of domestic violence. On February 21, 1996, President

Clinton announced a nationwide, 24-hour, toll-free domestic violence hotline. The number is 1-800-799-SAFE and the

TDD number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-787-3224. Help is also available to callers in Spanish and to other non-English speakers.

The hotline provides immediate crisis intervention for those in need. Callers can receive counseling and be referred

directly to help in their communities, including emergency services and shelters. Also, operators can offer information and

referrals, counseling and assistance in reporting abuse to survivors of domestic violence, family members, neighbors, and

the general public.

In many areas, them are local domestic violence agencies which can provide crisis services such as shelter, counseling,

and legal assistance. These numbers can be obtained from state or regional coalitions, from the phone book, or by calling

information.

Your department's Employee Assistance Program can also provide you with assistance and referrals, support groups,

counseling and other services.

This booklet contains a list of state, regional, and national resoumes which can be of assistance.



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