Though it may be hard to fathom, no one, no matter how famous or well-off, is immune from domestic violence. Celebrities such as Rihanna, Pamela Anderson, and Mariah Carey have all been victims of domestic abuse. Though many people will try to downplay its prevalence in their hometown, domestic violence is just as much a reality and a serious issue in well-off U.S. cities like Pittsburgh, as it is in a third-world country.
Incidents of domestic abuse take place every day, in households all over the world. People often think that domestic violence is only an issue in low-income families, but the truth is that domestic violence affects individuals, including men, of all ages, classes, and backgrounds. Abusers are as likely to be doctors, professors, and professional athletes, as they are to be janitors or unemployed.
The problem is just as prevalent in the United States as anywhere else in the world. According to the Centers for Disease Control, one in four American women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. Each year 5.3 million women in the United States experience domestic violence, at an annual cost to the American economy of $5.8 billion.
The first slap or shove should never be brushed off as a one-time incident, because over time it can turn into much worse. There are also many cases of domestic abuse in which the abusers don’t even use physical violence at all. Emotional abuse can be just as devastating, if not more because it takes longer to heal. If a woman lives in a constant state of fear, tip-toeing around to make sure she does not upset her partner, she is being abused.
Domestic violence is a real problem in all classes and societies. Domestic violence is not a private issue that should be ignored. Domestic violence is a social, political, and moral issue that impacts millions of people. It is a serious crime that people all over the world need to work together to bring an end to. If you personally have never been abused, you should consider yourself lucky. But whether you realize it or not, the odds are that you know someone who has been the victim of PA domestic violence. It is very likely that someone in your family, a friend, or someone in your office, that you interact on a daily basis has been a victim of abuse. This should make you think, and make you view the problem of PA domestic violence differently, seeing it as a major issue with at minimum an indirect impact on your life, and one that needs an immediate solution.
If you have been a victim of PA domestic violence you need to get help. There are many women’s shelters in Allegheny County that will provide you with a temporary place to stay so you can stay away from your abuser while you make other arrangements. It is recommended women that who have been abused in Pittsburgh contact an experienced Pittsburgh domestic violence lawyer, like our attorneys at Taybron Law Firm, LLC. The domestic violence attorneys at our Pittsburgh and surrounding offices will be able to explain all your legal rights, help you file a Temporary Restraining Order, help you file a lawsuit against your abuser, and represent you in court. Additionally, if you are married to your abuser, our PA divorce attorneys can help you file for divorce so you can officially end your relationship with the abuser.