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ex-husband’s rape and abuse nearly 2 years ago.
ex-husband’s rape and abuse nearly 2 years ago.
“The fact that I was able to be seen right away was amazing. Nice, kind, and knowledgeable staff. Explained things well and made this process easier.”
Free and confidential assistance 24 hours a day/7 days a week
For survivors of:
- Domestic Violence
- Dating Violence
- Rape/Sexual Assault
- Stalking
- Human Trafficking
- Abuse in Later Life
About Us
The mission of the Abused Adult Resource Center is to assist victims of domestic violence and sexual assault by establishing and maintaining a program which will provide temporary shelter, crisis intervention, prevention, education, support and hope as a vision to eliminate violence.
The Abused Adult Resource Center (AARC) has been helping survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault for more than 40 years. Serving south central North Dakota, we provide emergency support, crisis intervention, temporary shelter, food, counseling, and advocacy to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking.
Our goal is to help our clients and their families find hope through a life free from abuse. We also enjoy working with our communities to create an awareness and sensitivity to domestic violence and sexual assault issues, establishing programs that aim to break the cycle of abuse.
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Teen dating violence is a concerning issue that can have long-term effects. 1 in 12 U.S. high school students experience physical and or sexual violence in a dating relationship. These numbers increase when emotional, verbal, and economic abuse is considered. Additionally, 1 in 3 homicides in girls aged 11-18 are committed by an intimate partner.
The following guidance for helping a teen in a violent relationship was written by Danielle Silverman, LCSW, MEd, while at Council for Relationships.
Only 33% of teens who were in a violent relationship ever told anyone about the abuse. Teens worry adults won’t take their problem seriously or feel too embarrassed to discuss it. They may also be afraid that their parents will learn about the abuse and prevent them from dating.
If you believe your teen is in an abusive relationship, as the abuser or victim, follow these six steps.
Take them seriously. Minimizing their concerns because it’s “puppy love” doesn’t stop abuse from occurring in relationships. Listen to what they’re saying in a nonjudgmental and supportive way, and believe what they’re telling you.
Express concern. Tell your teen that abuse is not a normal part of romantic relationships. Everyone deserves a safe and healthy relationship. Tell them that this is an issue you take extremely seriously.
Express care. Let them know you are concerned about their safety and/or the safety of others and that you are here to support them.
Be supportive and understanding. Let your teen know that no one deserves abuse, and it’s not their fault if they are experiencing abuse. Don’t blame or force them to leave the relationship. Do not issue ultimatums like “break up or else you’ll be punished.” This cuts them off from support and makes them less likely to trust you in the future.
Develop a safety plan. The most dangerous time in an abusive relationship is when the abused partner decides to leave. Be especially supportive during this time, and connect your teen to support groups or professionals to protect them. This is important for both the teen experiencing abuse and the teen committing the abuse.
Provide education. Teens need guidance on how to be in a healthy relationship. They get this information from social media and TV shows that frequently glorify unhealthy relationships (for example, Euphoria). Teaching your teenager about boundaries, consent, and healthy expression of emotions will help them succeed in future relationships.
AARC is proud to offer support and services to teens and young adults, age 14 and older. For individuals younger than 14, please reach out to the Dakota Children's Advocacy Center.
Information by Futures Without Violence & Council for Relationships
Graphics by Council for Relationships
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Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) can happen to anyone. “Misogynist gender roles, racial/ethnic stereotypes and institutional discrimination, and economic insecurity, put certain segments of the population at greater risk, such as women, BIPOC people, those living in poverty, and younger adults. For LGBTQ+ people, these same social determinants compound with homophobic and transphobic stigma, creating even greater risk of IPV among the community” (HRC Foundation, 2022). Throughout this month we will be exploring how IPV impacts different communities. Today we will be centering Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual individuals (LGB).
LGB individuals are more likely to experience intimate partner violence than heterosexuals, with bisexual women having the highest rate of victimization. A 2022 report showed that Bisexual individuals were eight times more likely to experience IPV than their heterosexual counterparts. Homophobia and biphobia are often weaponized in these abusive intimate relationships to maintain power and control of another person.
AARC is proud to offer support and services to the LGBTQ+ community. Below are some resources if you would like to learn more about intimate partner violence in the LGBTQ+ community.
Los Angeles LGBT Center lgbtqipvinstitute.org/about-us/
vawnet.org/sc/who-are-lgbtq-communities
Citations
Chen, J., Khatiwada, S., Chen, M. S., Smith, S. G., Leemis, R. W., Friar, N., Basile, K. C., and Kresnow, M. (2023). The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS) 2016/2017: Report on Victimization by Sexual Identity. Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
HRC Foundation. (2022). Understanding Intimate Partner Violence in the LGBTQ+ Community. www.hrc.org/resources/understanding-intimate-partner-violence-in-the-lgbtq-community
Truman, J. L. and Morgan, R.E. (2022). Violent Victimization by Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, 2017–2020. U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics. bjs.ojp.gov/document/vvsogi1720.pdf
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Next week is national Purple Thursday!
Chances are, someone in your life is a survivor of domestic violence, even if they haven’t shared their story with you.
Show your support for survivors by wearing purple – the color of domestic violence awareness – next Thursday, October 15th and post a photo to Facebook or Instagram. Be sure to tag us and use #DVAM and #Every1KnowsSome1
Get your friends and colleagues involved and lets see who can have this biggest group of supporters!
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