Where can I find help about Domestic Violence?

The Community Coalition on Family Violence’s Hot-Line : (865) 521-6336

How does violence affect me?

While you may not be a victim of violence, chances are that you know someone who is.

Did you know:

·        An estimated 2-4 million American women are battered each year by their husband or intimate partner; that's an average of one woman beaten every 15 seconds.

·        Children also are battered in 50% of wife-abusing homes.

·        Half of all homeless women and children in the U.S. are fleeing a violent situation.

·        Almost 80% of children who run away from home are fleeing abusive homes.

·        More than 60% of males between the ages of 11-20 serving jail time for homicide have killed their mother's abuser.

·        Battering is the cause of 15-30% of emergency room visits by women, but only 5% of those women are recognized as having been abused.

·        Battering may start or intensify during pregnancy. The risk for miscarriage and low birth weight babies is much higher among battered women.

·        There are nearly 3 times as many animal shelters in the U.S. as there are shelters for battered women and children.

·        In 1998, there were more than 20,000 domestic violence calls in Knoxville and Knox County combined, and almost 4,000 orders of protection were requested.

How do you know the signs of violent behavior?

Here are a few signs to be aware of:

Does the person you love…

·        Keep track of all your time?

·        Accuse you of being unfaithful?

·        Discourage relationships with family and friends?

·        Prevent you from working or going to school?

·        Criticize or humiliate you?

·        Anger easily when drinking?

·        Hit, slap or punch you or your children?

·        Threaten you with a gun or some other weapon