Intimate Partner Violence

Family violence comes in many forms

Family violence is sometimes also called “domestic violence” or “intimate partner violence.” It happens when someone in a family hurts another person in the family. Most commonly, the person hurting you might be your partner.

Does your partner:

• Threaten to keep you from seeing your children?
• Put you down and make you feel bad about yourself
• Control where you go, who you see and who you talk to?
• Follow you around and keep track of what you do?
• Keep you from your family or friends?
• Keep you from making or keeping money for yourself?
• Threaten to hurt him/herself to get you to do things you do not wish to do?
• Threaten to hurt you, your children or family pets?
• Use or threaten to use weapons against you to make you feel afraid?
• Physically hurt you or a member of your family?
• Threaten to use your immigration status against you?

A relationship that makes you feel bad hurts your children, too

Children exposed to violence within their home are at risk for:

• Behavior problems at home and school.
• Having more health problems, such as asthma attacks and stomachaches.
• Smoking, alcohol and drug use.
• Learning disorders and trouble with school.
• Growing up to be a victim of abuse.
• Low self-esteem.
• Being injured or killed.

We can help you make a safety plan

Consider the following:

• How can you keep yourself safe?
• How can your children be kept safe?
• Where can you go if you have to leave?
• Who can you talk to about your situation?
• Do your children know how to call 911 for help?

Get more information

Speak with your child’s provider today or call the KC Metro Helpline at (816) 468-5463 (available 24 hours daily).

Some of the ways Children’s Mercy can help include:

• Counseling
• Support groups
• Safety planning
• Shelter
• Legal help
• Restraining orders

Your immigration status won’t keep you from getting help.