THE  WOMENSPEAK  FOUNDATION
Educating The Public and Empowering Women To Speak Out Against Violent Acts
                       

New Mexico & Domestic Violence

STATISTICS
(According to The Violence Victimization Survey of New Mexico)
NEW MEXICO IS ONE OF THE NATIONS LEADING STATES IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INCIDENTS
  • 1 in 4 New Mexican Women are victims of Domestic Violence
  • Approximately 35,000 DV Victims each year
  • Only 41% of DV incidents are reported
  • 56% of DV involve drugs and alcohol use
  • 47% of DV victims suffer serious injury
  • 14% of DV victims were killed by the abuser
  • 26% of DV caused injury to a child
  • 44% of DV victims were being stalked
  • 22% of DV incidents involve Sexual Assault
  • 48% of DV incidents involve a weapon
  • 6 in 10 Native American Women are victims of Domestic Violence
  • Only 49% of Abusers are arrested
  • Only 21% of DV incidents are prosecuted
New Mexico Law on Domestic Violenceo
LEGAL DEFINITION OF DV: NMSA 40-13-1 to 8

  • Stalking or sexual assault
  • Household member against household member
  • Physical harm
  • Severe emotional distress
  • Bodily injury or assault
  • Threat causing imminent fear of bodily injury
  • Criminal trespass
  • Criminal damage to property
  • Repeatedly driving by a residence or workplace
  • Harm or threatened harm to children
  • Stalking


















WHAT IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Domestic Violence is a pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain power and control over another individual through abuse.

FORMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Abuse is physical, sexual, emotional, economic or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviors that frighten, intimidate, terrorize, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, injure or wound someone.

YOU ARE A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WHEN YOUR PARTNER, DATE, RELATIVE OR FRIEND HAS:
  • Damaged property when angry (thrown objects, punched walls, kicked doors, etc.).
  • Pushed, slapped, bitten, kicked or choked you.
  • Abandoned you in a dangerous or unfamiliar place.
  • Scared you by driving recklessly.
  • Used a weapon to threaten or hurt you.
  • Forced you to leave your home.
  • Trapped you in your home or kept you from leaving.
  • Prevented you from calling police or seeking medical attention.
  • Hurt your children.
  • Used physical force in sexual situations.
WHY DOES IT HAPPEN
There could be any number of reasons, including :
  •  family dysfunction
  • inadequate communication skills
  • stress
  • chemical dependency
  • lack of spirituality,
  • economic hardship
WHO DOES IT HAPPEN TO
Domestic violence can happen to anyone of any race, age, sexual orientation, religion or gender. It can happen to couples who are married, living together or who are dating. Domestic violence affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels.
PROFILE OF AN ABUSER
Abusers objectify women, unable to see them as people. They do not respect women as a
group and instead, they view them as property or sexual objects.
  • Abusers typically have low self-esteem and feel powerless and inadequate, despite their successes in life (e.g., academic, professional, economic, athletic).
  • Abusers do not accept responsibility for their actions. (e.g.. stress, a bad day, his partner's behavior, chemical dependency, etc.)
  • Abusers may be charming, outgoing, and friendly between violent episodes.
Abusers may also be:
  • extremely jealous
  •  possessive
  •  ill-tempered
  •  Unpredictable
  • cruel to family pets
  •  verbally abusive.
(The information is adapted from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.)
(http://www.womensweb.ca/violence/dv/index.php)
Copyright 2010. The WomenSPEAK Foundation (vlh). All rights reserved.