For the next few weeks I will be addressing various issues pertaining to Domestic/Family Violence, including Date Abuse amongst our teens. The first article will deal with myths that must be dispelled concerning domestic violence.

• Domestic Violence is not a problem in my community.

• According to Research done by the Political Science Dept. at TX. A&M, Texas rural counties reported 18,829 incidents of domestic violence in 2001. (The problem with trying to get an accurate count of family violence incidence in rural communities is that the victims don’t come forward for fear of repercussions)

• Domestic violence only happens to low-income individuals or those of minority groups.

• Domestic violence affects the entire family. It does not discriminate. Violence crosses ethnic, gender, racial, age, nationality, religious & socioeconomic lines. The shocking reality is that the Christian community is not immune to the destructive effects of violence in the home.

• Some people deserve to be hit.

• No One deserves to be abused. Period. The only person responsible for the abuse is the abuser.

• Physical violence, even among family members, is wrong & against the law.

• Alcohol, drug abuse, stress, & mental illness cause domestic violence.

• While all of these are contributors they do not cause domestic violence.

• Generally, domestic violence happens when an abuser has learned & chooses to abuse.

• Domestic violence is a personal problem between a husband & a wife.

• Domestic violence affects everyone.

• If it were that bad, they’d just leave.

• There are many reasons why women/men stay in a violent relationship. Not leaving does not mean that the situation is okay or that the victim wants to be abused.

• Leaving can be dangerous. The most dangerous time for a woman/man who is being abused is when they try to leave. Victims of family violence are 75% more likely to be murdered when they try to flee or have fled.

• Men are always the abusers & women are always the victims.

• While reported incidents of abuse reveal that men are more often times the abuser that does not negate the fact that men are being abused & are too intimidated by their peers to report the abuse.

• Every year 834,732 men & 1,510,455 women report being victims of domestic violence.

• Every 20.9 seconds a woman is battered somewhere in America.

• Every 37.8 seconds a man is battered somewhere in America.

Our firm belief at Off the Beaten Path Ministries is that God did not create us to be each other’s punching bags!

It’s time to get out of the ostrich mentality, especially in the church community & get the skeletons out of the closet.

If you or anyone you know needs help please contact the office of Off the Beaten Path Ministries, Inc. @ (325) 372-3276. Confidentiality and safety are our top priorities.

If you would like to help us reach hurting families by making a contribution you may make your tax-deductible check to Off the Beaten Path Ministries, Inc.

And remember, hurting people hurts people.