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August 25th, 2009
03:41 PM ET

Rates of domestic violence on the rise? Where to find help

[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/CRIME/08/05/chris.brown.sentencing/art.chris.brown.hearing.pool.jpg caption="Chris Brown appears at the hearing Wednesday. The actual sentencing will take place today. "]

CNN

Recent reports indicate that rates of reported domestic violence incidents are on the rise.

Many point to the economic recession as a factor causing the spike, such as the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation which found that 75 percent of domestic violence shelters in the U.S. reported an increase in women seeking help since September. The report concluded that 73 percent of these shelters attribute this rise to financial issues.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline measured an increase in calls of 21 percent during the third quarter of 2008.

Learn more about where to find help here...


Filed under: 360° Q & A • Women's Issues
soundoff (22 Responses)
  1. johanna

    There is no excuse for any man to hit a woman half his size,Julian. This is just the type of attitude that perpetuates violence against women and men. Noone deserves to be bluggeoned in the face like Chris did to Rhianna. Im not a fan of either but he had no right to do what he did; provoked or not. Our culture (especially hiphop) continues the objectivication of women; young men look at them as possessions, things. We are all children of God and should act accordingly. He got off way to easy. His apology was fake and shes too young to realize that the next time, he may kill her. He's already threatened it! If someone makes you that angry, you should not be w/ them. Chris needs extensive therapy and jail time in my opinion and Rhianna needs some therapy too. God help them both. God help this world too!

    August 26, 2009 at 3:11 am |
  2. Redd

    I'm gald that he didn't go to jail let chris go on with his life and make good music

    August 25, 2009 at 11:51 pm |
  3. Jason

    It's aout time someone stands up and defend men. It's always a man's fault be it domestic violence, divorce, or preganacy. Are men ever going to be right? If society is so biased then we should do away with 'gender equality". A man is always wrong even when a wpman is the instigator. From what I understand, Rihanna is also violent – she slapped Brown. Are her violent acts acceptable because she's a woman? Violence is wrong. Period! Anybody who instigates it should be ready to face the consequences.

    August 25, 2009 at 11:49 pm |
  4. Tammi

    I was the victim of domestic abuse, and i'm appalled by what money and celeberties get away with it!! It's sad that some person with that type of tween and teen following has to show that it's ok to get off with betting a person to a pulp!! Shame on the justice system!!

    August 25, 2009 at 11:40 pm |
  5. Nate

    Why are we concerning ourselves about who started it? It's wrong for a man to hit a woman. We talk about 'man enough' to do this or that. Why wasn't he man enough to exercise restraint? When the car was stopped, he could have gotten out and walked for a while.

    August 25, 2009 at 11:36 pm |
  6. matt

    not to even consider the lady is being dishonest. when domestic violence arises its always the man is GUILTY until sentenced! I'm a male and suffering with a record that is a lie. matt Stilwell, ok

    August 25, 2009 at 11:17 pm |
  7. Ed

    Julian, the reason why noone is asking what did Rihanna do to incite the anger is because mainstream America does not want the facts/truth. Common sense tells you that she was possibly in an emotional outrage and for some in this country, that is a pass to physically harm anyone except an animal. Think about it. Why the mainstream media is not reporting/discussing the sexual assault/rape case against Ben Rothelsberger from the Pittsburg Steelers? This so-called fair and balanced journalism really raise questions about the selective media assination of African American men in this country.

    August 25, 2009 at 11:04 pm |
  8. Ed

    We hear about Domestic Violence (DV) campaigns to educate our men to not become abusers, however, we do a poor job on educating our female population that it is a two way street. No female have the right to hit, push, shove, or verbally abuse any male. Our society is ignoring the fact that many of DV cases never are investigated deep enough to find out how incidents are iniated. You see on TV and other media outlets women slapping their spouses when they are in an emotional rage. This is where our young girls and ladies observe this behavior and assume it is acceptable by society. In most cases they are never prosecuted, especially when you have people like Nancy Grace and her co-anchor. The justice system is not equal and will never be until men stand up for equal justice under due process.

    August 25, 2009 at 10:43 pm |
  9. Julian

    Why isn’t anyone asking what Rihanna did to incite his anger. I have learned that she had slapped him first in the past and that seems to be okay with some.

    August 25, 2009 at 10:43 pm |
  10. Bobby

    Another celebrity/sports figure getting off easy. When is the justice system going to treat all people the same. Illegal handguns, D.W.I.'s, assaults, vehicular homicides. The rich and famous being let off easy again. Nothing changes..... makes me sick.

    August 25, 2009 at 10:41 pm |
  11. JKR

    Our daughter was abused 2 mths after her second baby in 13 mths....her now x husband was found guilty and no jail time at all......it is now 6 years later and he is after full custody........who protects the victim and the children.....it has cost our daughter thousands and thousands to try to protect herself and her children and he gets generous visitations.......NO ONE HELPS THE VICTIMS AND THE NEW VICTIMS THE CHILDREN...PLEASE READ THE BOOK "" THE BATTERER AS A PARENT ""..........IT IS MY X SON IN LAW TO THE LETTER...I AM YET TO SEE A GOOD LAWYER EVER......

    JKR

    August 25, 2009 at 10:39 pm |
  12. Ritch

    He should be getting some jail time for what he did to that young lady.

    August 25, 2009 at 10:38 pm |
  13. dwayne

    Prison is not always the answer. Rehabilitation would probably do Chris Brown justice, if his mindset is to change. Why is it, always the answer to lock up young African Americans, when the concentration should be on locking up those individuals who lied to get American young men and women in an unjust war, where thousands have died?

    August 25, 2009 at 10:37 pm |
  14. jaybee

    Wow this is an example of how in America we put emphasis on the wrong things. If Rihanna would have been a Pitbull Chris Brown would have gotten years in prison. I guess in this country animals are more important than people.

    August 25, 2009 at 10:36 pm |
  15. Kim

    The one positive about this is that it gets people talking about domestic violence. Whether you are the one being terrorized or the one doing the terrorizing GET OUT AND GET HELP

    August 25, 2009 at 7:54 pm |
  16. Aisha

    When men are afraid, they react with violence, whether it's domestic or global.

    August 25, 2009 at 6:52 pm |
  17. A. L. NV.

    I agree that it all begins with child abuse prevention. Each and everyone should love thier children unconditionally. That person sharing your life and your home is also one of these people. If you cannot afford that person who choses to be with you the respect we all want then tell them goodbye. Never hit or talk down to your fellow human – especially to somebody you claim to care about or love. Love does'nt hurt. We all know or should know that.

    August 25, 2009 at 6:25 pm |
  18. Sam Dogbatse

    Although stricter sentencing may not be a deterrent in itself, it may well prove to be an integral part of the solution.

    August 25, 2009 at 6:18 pm |
  19. C.K.

    So that's all it takes these days for celebrities to get away with a felony, huh? Say I'm sorry and have to do some community service, oh, sorry, labor service. Wow. - Had this been any other average person, they would be in prison! There is no justice system in our country, and it sickens me. The judge who let him off easy has made a huge mistake.

    August 25, 2009 at 6:18 pm |
  20. Annie Kate

    Home life can really be stressful during times of economic downturns, especially if the shortage of money was a pre-existing condition anyway. Women and children both are in greater danger of abuse during these times. Women need to be educated about the alternatives they have to escape an abusive relationship and adults who work with children on a daily basis need to watch for signs of child abuse.

    August 25, 2009 at 6:07 pm |
  21. Sara Ray

    It all starts with child abuse prevention. Abused children are at an increased risk of becoming abusers themselves. This is the root of the issue.

    August 25, 2009 at 4:35 pm |
  22. Tricia

    You=Love

    August 25, 2009 at 3:53 pm |