Family Violence

What Is Family Violence?

It's the mistreatment of one family member by another and it is passed down from one generation to another until the cycle is broken. It includes physical, emotional, neglect and sexual abuse.

Why Should I Learn About Family Violence?

By learning about it, you can help solve the problem and break the cycle of abuse. People who feel violent often witnessed violence or suffered abuse as children. Violence is a learned behavior.

Some common traits of violent family members are:

• Crave power
• Low self-esteem
• Abuse alcohol or other drugs
• Have emotional problems
• Lack maturity
• Have unreasonable expectations
• Traditional belief system (believe in corporal punishment)
• Male privilege
• Rigid sex roles
• Earlier childhood wounds projected onto family members

Why does violence continue?

Both victims and abusers often feel powerless to change the situation. They feel trapped by a lack of alternatives. They feel shame, embarrassed and isolated, a lack of protection, and they lack knowledge about available services to help families in their situation. Most of all, they believe all families have similar problems and justify the abusive behavior and normalize its continuance. In addition, like intimate partner abuse, they continue to hope things will change and “do not want to give up”.

Call us, we can help.

It's free and confidential.

Teen Advocate

County-Wide (360) 376-5979

24 Hour Crisis Line

Orcas Island (360) 376-1234

San Juan Island (360) 378-2345

Lopez Island (360) 468-4567

Family Violence can be prevented!

Family members recognize their tendency toward violence, realize that violence is a crime and not an acceptable way to solve problems; seek help to find better ways to share feelings, resolve conflicts and express anger.

GET HELP… Break the cycle of abuse… do not allow it to pass onto the next generation!

Family Options is a new pilot prevention program developed to assist the underserved families, children and adults who are currently living in high conflict. Specialized counseling is available with DVSAS contractors for people who want to put a stop to their abusive behavior and relationships before they escalate to violence and arrests.

Family Options mission is to stop child abuse and help families heal the trauma of exposure to domestic violence.