Domestic Abuse and Violence

Warning Signs of Domestic Abuse

  • Does your partner isolate you from other people?
  • Does your partner deny you control of your money or belongings?
  • Does your partner belittle you?
  • Does your partner physically hurt you, or threaten to do so?

If you answered “yes” to any of the questions above, you are being abused!

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) affects millions of Americans. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the term IPV describes physical, sexual, or psychological harm by a current or former partner or spouse. This type of violence can occur among heterosexual or same-sex couples and does not require sexual intimacy.

How Domestic Abuse Affects Children

Children who see domestic abuse, or are a victim of it, may develop health or social problems. Domestic abuse can be when a person hits, kicks, or slaps a victim. It can be rape or other kinds of sexual abuse. It can be name-calling, shaming, or threats. Abuse can affect children right away and affect them later as teens and adults.

Children exposed to domestic abuse may have problems in school. They may have lower test scores or problems with learning. They may have problems resolving conflicts with other students. They may seem hostile. They may also have trouble making or keeping friends and interacting with adults.*

*Source: The Department of Public Welfare

Recovering from Domestic Abuse and Violence

To find a domestic abuse program in Pennsylvania nearest you, visit www.pcadv.org and click on Find Help or use the Find Help map on the homepage.

You can reach the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or www.thehotline.org. UPMC Health Plan can also assist members and connect them to partner violence community services for vital assistance.

STANDING FIRM: The Business Case to End Partner Violence

More than one in five full-time employed adults have been victims of partner violence, and 64 percent of them indicated their work performance was significantly impacted. Watch UPMC Health Plan’s President and CEO, Diane Holder, speak about STANDING FIRM, an initiative that helps employers understand how partner violence effects work place safety and the well being and productivity of employees.