Since the enactment of federal and state laws, creation of national and local organizations and media attention to domestic violence a plethora of research, data, statistics, resources has been publicized.  There is extensive information about the impact of domesic violence, the preventioin of domestic violence and the treatment for domestic violence victims.  And although there are several channels by which this information is brought to the attention of the public, there are still many misconceptions about issues involving domestic violence.  We will disspell some of the most common myths about the effects of domestic violence, the approach to its treatment and measures for prevention.

Here are a list of some myths:

Myth:  Only a small fraction of domestic violence victims are men, the majority is women.
Fact:  While approximately 1.3 million nationwide victims are women   yearly,  approximately  835,000 are men. According to the Center for Diseased Control and Prevention.

Myth:  Domestic violence only affects women of color or immigrant women.
Fact:  Women of all races are equally vulnerable to domestic violence.

Myth:  New York has the highest per capita rate of domestic violence related fatalities in the U.S.
Fact:  As of 2005, the last year research is available, New York came in fifth.  Data provided by the NY Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence.

Myth:  Most of the New York victims of domestic violence had an Order of Protection in effect when their abuser murdered them.
Fact:  For the past five years, 80-90% of the murdered victims had no current Order of Protection in place.  Data provided by the NYC Office to Combat Domestic Violence.

Myth:  Most of the men who abuse their spouses/paramours do not abuse their children.
Fact:  More than 50% of the men who abuse their spouses/paramours also abuse their children.

Myth:  Most abusers who petition for child custody do not prevail.
Fact:  70% of the abusers are awarded custody of their children.  Data provided by Stop Family Violence.

Myth:  Women have nothing to worry about when alleging domestic violence to a Family Court judge, their stories are always believed.
Fact:  Many judges are more likely to not believe women, thinking that they are just making these allegations as a strategy to gain custody.

Myth:  As long as children do not see the actual acts of domestic violence, they are safe from its effects.
Fact:  80-90% of children in domestic violence households are aware that it exists even if they do not witness it firsthand. Data provided by ACADV.org

Myth:  Fathers are more likely to abuse their children than mothers are.
Fact:  Mothers who were victims of domestic violence are twice as likely to abuse their children.  According to AAETS.org

Myth:  There is no effective treatment for batterers.
Fact:  Although Batterers’ Intervention Programs  have a small effect on treatment, the impact of treatment is significant especially when treatment is continuous.

            Although milestones have been made in getting the word out, providing help to the victims and getting treatment for abusers there is still much to be done.    Getting involved, staying informed and spreading the word only helps in the effort. 

 IF YOU OR ANYONE YOU KNOW IS A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT THE NEW YORK STATE HOTLINE AT 800-942-6906.