- Domestic Violence
- Teen Dating Violence
- Why Worry About Our Teens?
- When Is It Abuse?
- Forms of Abuse
- Warning Signs for Guys
- Warning Signs for Girls
- LGBTQ Abusive Relationships
- Helping A Friend
- Parents of Teens
- Getting Out of the Relationship
- Who Is A Good Dating Partner?
- Dating Pledge
- Resources
- Baucom & Dodd Healthy Relationship fund
- City of Petaluma Proclamation
- Sexual Assault
- Events
- Programs
Are we all “evil”?
Myth #11: Abusers are evil people. Fact: “Anyone can find himself or herself in an abusive situation and most of us could also find ourselves tempted to be abusive to others, no matter how wrong we know it to be,” notes Joyce Zaldak. Abusers are people who may be strong and stable in some areas of their […]
DV & “weak” men
Fear: Men Who Seek Help Are Weak Reality: Many men don’t seek help for domestic abuse because they fear that it will make them look weak. The truth? There are few actions that require as much bravery as walking away from an abusive relationship. To recognize that you are in need of help and then […]
Is this the “fix”?
Myth #10: Partners need couples counseling. Fact: It is the abuser alone who needs counseling in order to change behavior. Social worker Susan Schechter says couples counseling is “an inappropriate intervention that further endangers the woman … It encourages the abuser to blame the victim by examining her ‘role’ in his problem. By seeing the couple together, […]
DV in LGBT
Myth: Domestic violence doesn’t happen in same-sex relationships. Reality: Domestic violence happens in same-sex relationships too. Some surveys suggest there is domestic violence in 1 out of 4 LGBT relationships.
It’s the victim’s fault
Myth #8: The victim provoked the violence. Fact: The abuser is completely responsible for the abuse. No one can say or do anything which warrants being beaten and battered. Abusers often try to deflect their responsibility by blaming the victim via comments, such as: “You made me angry.” “You made me jealous.” “This would never […]
Mind your own business!
Myth #9: Domestic abuse is a private matter and it’s none of my business. Fact: We all have a responsibility to care for one another. Officials at the National Domestic Violence Hotline offer this advice to people who see or suspect domestic violence: “Yes, it is your business. Maybe he’s your friend, your brother-in-law, your cousin, co-worker, gym […]
Male survivors & the law
Myth: The law only protects women who experience domestic violence but does nothing to help men. Reality: Men and women have the same rights to protection from domestic violence. While women may be the predominant group many agencies serve, many shelters and outreach groups provide services for male DV victims, including safe house shelter and legal […]
