In the article 'What is Domestic Abuse?', it states that each year an estimated 2 million to 4 million women in the United States are abused by their male partners. Many of them are severely physically assaulted, and thousands are killed. Others are intimidated, isolated, humiliated and controlled by their partners, usually in silence. Domestic violence isn't an easy crime to report because survivors often feel ashamed, helpless and dependent on the perpetrator. There are many resources available to help people escape abusive situations permanently.

The Domestic Violence Project Inc., a project created by the United Way, gives advice in three steps to victims of domestic violence. The first is, "Leav

One type of abuse that occurs in most situations is sexual abuse. This is when a woman is forced to perform sexual acts against her will that cause her to be violated. Usually abusers think that because this woman is his wife, he can do whatever he wants with her, which is not true.

One way women can protect themselves is to obtain a civil protection order, or CPO, can be obtained through Domestic Relations court. Divorce or criminal charges do not have to be filed. A family member must file for this order by showing a pattern of chronic physical abuse such as shoving, slapping, punching, choking, or threatening to harm the victim. The CPO can order the offender out of the shared residence; restrain the offender from entering the client's work and from having contact with the victim, assign child custody, restrain the offender from destroying property. This CPO is valid for up to five years and it is a criminal offense to violate a CPO.

Some risk factors that lead to domestic abuse are single or divorced mothers, or women with poor self-esteem. These women often think that they deserve the abuse or that they have to tolerate it to keep a man in their lives. Many people have faced or been apart of domestic abuse.

Women stay in these violent situations because of internal pressure and external pressure. Some of the internal pressures are depression, low self-esteem, no self-confidence, traumatic bonding, fear of risk, and many other reasons. A few of the external pressures are religious beliefs, economically dependent, family unit, and traditional views. Many women want protection from violence and help for their husbands, but they don't know where to go for this help. Some support services besides social services are friends or neighbors, police, the court system, or a doctor.

Tougher laws may be the only way to decrease domestic violence. These la

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