Welcome to our new site!

We've been hard at work making a better experience online for VOA Oregon. We ask for your patience as we continue improving our website. Having trouble or feedback you want to share? Fill out our form!

Close

Myths Domestic Violence

Myth #5: Domestic violence doesn’t have a big effect on kids.

Truth: Domestic violence harms children even if they aren’t the target of the violence. Youth who know their moms or dads are being abused are likely to have low self-esteem and have problems trusting other people. Also, the presence of DV in the home is the greatest risk factor in predicting child abuse.

Myth #4: Some people’s behavior justifies or provokes being abused by their partner.

Truth: There is no justification for abuse. Abusers often try to excuse their behavior, often through blaming the survivor or refusing to take any accountability. For example, an abuser attempts to justify his abuse by claiming he’s only violent because she’s always yelling at him. As a result, she decides to stop yelling to try to placate him. He’ll likely next attempt to justify his behavior by claiming it’s because she’s too silent, and so on.