Domestic Violence: Take a Look. Take a Stand.
Seventy-four percent (74%) of victims of domestic violence and sexual assault report that they seek help from family and friends.
Take a Look. Take a Stand. is a public awareness initiative that provides information on the signs of domestic violence and guidance on what you can do to help friends and family experiencing abuse.
Take a Look: Spot the Signs of Abuse
- Injuries inconsistent with the explanation given
- Absences from work or school
- Changes in personality
- Excessive jealousy or possessiveness
- Isolation from friends and family
- Harming of children or pets
- Threats against the partner or family
Other signs include:
- Injuries in various stages of healing
- Substance abuse
- Anxiety and depression
Take a Stand: What to Do in Abusive Situations
For Victims: ALTER
- Approach: Talk to victims in a non-judgmental way. Be patient & respect their privacy.
- Listen: Don’t try to solve the problem yourself.
- Talk: Tell them that it is not their fault.
- Encourage: State that domestic violence tends only to get worse if nothing is done to stop it.
- Refer: Tell victims about the Virginia Family Violence and Sexual Assault Hotline.
For Abusers: AIM
- Approach:Talk to abusers about their behavior that you believe is abusive.
- Inform: Let abusers know that their behavior is unacceptable and that domestic violence is a crime. Do not accept excuses.
- Motivate: Tell abusers that they can change their behavior and that assistance is available from certified batterer intervention programs (BIPs).