MYTH: Domestic violence does not affect many people.

FACT:  A woman is beaten every 15 seconds. Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women between ages 15 and 44 in the United States - more than car accidents, muggings, and rapes combined. Battered women are more likely to suffer miscarriages and to give birth to babies with low birth weights.

MYTH: Battering is only a momentary loss of temper.

FACT:  Battering is the establishment of control and fear in a relationship through violence and other forms of abuse. The batterer uses acts of violence and a series of behaviors, including intimidation, threats, psychological abuse, isolation, etc. to coerce and to control the other person. The violence may not happen often, but it remains as a hidden (and constant) terrorizing factor. One in five women victimized by their spouses or ex-spouses report they had been victimized over and over again by the same person

MYTH: Domestic violence only occurs in poor, urban areas.

FACT:  Women of all cultures, races, occupations, income levels, and ages are battered - by husbands, boyfriends, lovers and partners. Approximately one-third of the men counseled (for battering) are professional men who are well respected in their jobs and their communities. These have included doctors, psychologists, lawyers, ministers, and business executives.

MYTH: Domestic violence is just a push, slap or punch - it does not produce serious injuries.

FACT:  Battered women are often severely injured - 22 to 35 percent of women who visit medical emergency rooms are there for injuries related to ongoing partner abuse. One in four pregnant women has a history of partner violence.

MYTH: It is easy for battered women to leave their abuser.

FACT:  Women who leave their batterers are at a 75% greater risk of being killed by the batterer than those who stay. Nationally, 50 percent of all homeless women and children are on the streets because of violence in the home. There are nearly three times as many animal shelters in the United States as there are shelters for battered women and their children

MYTH: Domestic violence is not very common. It is a private, family matter and other people should mind their own business.

FACT: Domestic violence occurs every nine seconds in the U.S. The Office of the Surgeon General reports "wife beating" results in more injuries that require medical treatment than auto accidents, muggings, and rapes combined. Every year domestic violence adds three to five billion dollars to our country's healthcare costs.

MYTH: The victim brought the domestic violence on herself. If she just behaved better, it wouldn't happen.

FACT: No one deserves to be punched, kicked, slapped, or threatened with a weapon. Domestic violence is a cycle which occurs more frequently with increased severity as the relationship continues. The attacks do not stop just because the victim changes her behavior. The only thing the victim can do to escape the violence is to leave.