Domestic Violence Awareness

Prepare a Safety Plan (link)


Domestic Violence is never trivial, excusable or deserved, and it is never the victim’s fault. Perpetrators are exclusively responsible for their crimes and the subsequent effects. The following suggestions and facts have been compiled to educate the public, help prevent violent crime and help victims promptly receive available assistance.

Domestic assault occurs when a person knowingly causes injury to a household or family member or an adult who is or has been in a continuing social relationship of romantic or intimate nature. 

Some Domestic Violence Facts:

  • Domestic violence can take several different forms, some of those include physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, financial abuse, coercion and digital abuse (perpetrated online or via text message).
  • Nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States.
  • 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner.
  • Nationally, 50% of batterers who abuse their intimate partners also abuse their children.
  • 4% of high school students report being hit, slapped, or physically hurt on purpose by their boyfriend or girlfriend in the last 12 months.

Warning signs of an abusive partner:

  • Extremely jealous of your friends or time spent away
  • Controlling of your day-to-day activities
  • Extremely controlling of finances
  • Insults you and demeans or shames you with put-downs
  • Has threatened to kill or harm you
  • Has threatened to harm or take away your children
  • Destroys your property
  • Used or threatens to use a weapon against you
  • Pressures you to have sex when you don’t want to or do things sexually you’re not comfortable with
  •  Pressures you to use drugs or alcohol
  •  Domestic victimization is correlated with a higher rate of depression and suicidal behavior.

Get Help:


Prepare a Safety Plan 

24 Hour Hotlines:  

Harmony House- 

local: 417-864-7233

Toll-Free: 800-831-6863

The Victim Center Crisis Response Line- 

417-864-7233

  • Greene County Family Justice Center - (417) 799-1500 - The F.J.C. houses several agencies throughout the community under one roof (Harmony House, The Victim Center, Legal Services of Southern Missouri, Greene County Children’s Division, Greene County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Springfield Police Department, Greene County Sheriff’s Office and Child Support Division)  and acts as a sort of middle man between victims and community resources. The F.J.C. is located in the Greene County Court House. and all services are free and confidential. You can go there to get in contact with resources or you can contact community resources individually.
  • Harmony House -  (417) 837-7700 - The mission of Harmony House is to provide shelter, advocacy and education to survivors of domestic violence and promote the principle that all individuals have the right to a life free of abuse. Some services provided include support groups, life skills, parenting and relationship classes and legal advocacy. All services are free and confidential.
  • The Victim Center  - (417) 863-7273  - provides free-of-charge services to all victims of violent or sexual crimes. Provides prevention education, 24-hour Crisis Response Line, counseling and victim advocacy.

MORE RESOURCES


If you have any questions please call Springfield Police Department Headquarters at (417) 864-1810. We are open 7 days a week from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. If you have an emergency or need to report a crime please call 911.


Sources: