Running Head: INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE IN DELAWARE COUNTY

Intimate Partner Violence in Delaware County, Indiana: A Community Assessment

Alicia N. Yoder
Ball State University

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE IN DELAWARE COUNTY

Introduction
Intimate partner violence is a concern all around the world, and Delaware County,
Indiana is no exception. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
(2015), intimate partner violence is defined as physical, sexual, or psychological harm by a
current or former partner or spouse. While people often think that intimate partner violence
involves physically harming a partner, it may include sexual, emotional, economic, or
psychological actions that help one partner maintain power and control over another.
Scope of Problem
While both men and women can be victims of intimate partner violence, a staggering
85% of victims are women (Rennison, 2003). In fact, one in four women will become a victim of
domestic violence at some point in her lifetime (Glazer, 1993). A Better Way, a domestic
violence shelter in Muncie, Indiana that serves Delaware County, housed 156 adult, female
clients in 2013 (A Better Way, 2014). In addition to providing temporary housing for clients, A
Better Way also provides counseling for survivors of intimate partner violence, in order to fulfill
the agencys mission of strengthening individuals and families. In addition to providing
temporary housing, the shelter also provided assistance to 127 non-residential clients during this
same time frame (A Better Way, 2014). The agency serves non-residential clients through support
groups and individual counseling for survivors of intimate partner violence. While focus should
be placed on victims of both genders, many organizations that work with survivors,
understandably, place a heavier focus on female victims, as this demographic makes up a large
majority of the total number of victims of intimate partner violence.
While the number of intimate partner violence victims receiving help in Delaware County
may seem small, one must consider many factors that come into play. The first of these factors is

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE IN DELAWARE COUNTY

that not every victim of intimate partner violence seeks long-term treatment. According to the
Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Delaware County police departments receive an
average of 2500 domestic disturbance calls per year (as cited in Smekens, 2013). Intimate partner
violence also tends to go unreported to police for multiple reasons. Police reports may represent
anywhere from two to fifty-two percent of all actual intimate partner violence cases (Wolf, Ly,
Hobart, & Kernic, 2003). Assuming that calls are only made for twenty-seven percent (the
average of two and fifty-two) of actual intimate partner violence incidents, and also assuming
that the same victim does not report twice, one can roughly estimate that intimate partner
violence affects 9,259 residents of Delaware County. According to the United States Census
(2015), the estimated population of Delaware County in 2013 was 117,484 residents. This means
that intimate partner violence directly affects an estimated eight percent of the population of
Delaware County.
As of 2015, females comprised 51.8% of the population of Delaware County (U.S.
Census Bureau, 2015). Because domestic violence can occur between both married and nonmarried couples, census data regarding family versus nonfamily households provides little
information on possible risk of victimization. Cohabitation rates among couples have increased
over time, however, which may also lead to an increased risk of domestic violence, as partners
are more likely to be living with each other before marriage (Copen, Daniels, & Mosher, 2013).
Population
While anybody can be a victim of intimate partner violence, there are certain factors that
may influence a persons risk of becoming a victim. As mentioned earlier, 85% of victims of
intimate partner violence are women (Rennison, 2003). In Indiana, most of these victims (34%)
tend to be between the ages of 26 and 35 years old (A Better Way, n.d.). Ethnicity may also play

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE IN DELAWARE COUNTY

a role in intimate partner violence victimization. One study found that women with Hispanic
ethnicity were at a higher risk of victimization than women of other ethnicities (Caetano, Vaeth,
& Ramisetty-Mikler, 2008). This may be due to cultural or religious influences of gender roles
and marriage/relationship behavior and expectations. Another interesting characteristic that plays
a role in heterosexual intimate partner violence is employment of the female. Women who are
employed are more likely to be involved in a mutually violent relationship than women who are
unemployed (Caetano et al., 2008)..
Women who are survivors of intimate partner violence also tend to have low self-esteem
and feel powerless (Wolf et al., 2003). Whether or not these characteristics are risk factors for
intimate partner violence or are caused by intimate partner violence itself is not clear. Survivors
also tend to feel a sense of isolation, with a lack of physical and emotional resources, which may
prevent them from being able to seek help (Eckstein, 2011).
Related Social Issues
Lack of Community Education about Issue
Other than personal factors, societal factors also have a major influence on an intimate
partner violence survivors ability and willingness to seek help. One major concern for survivors
of intimate partner violence is a lack of physical proof. (Wolf et al., 2003). While intimate
partner violence can include emotional, psychological, and sexual abuse, many survivors believe
that without physical marks on their body, their reports of intimate partner violence may not be
upheld. These concerns are very logical. The survivor may find it difficult to prove that he/she is
being abused when there is a lack of physical evidence. In this way, survivors who are abused
emotionally or psychologically are oppressed, because their reports tend to be taken less
seriously, or cannot be upheld in court. For this reason, many victims of emotional or

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE IN DELAWARE COUNTY

psychological abuse remain silent about their situation because they believe that the legal system
cannot offer them any assistance.
Inability to uphold emotional and psychological abuse cases in court is less of a problem
with the legal system and more of a problem with the type of abuse itself. By nature, emotional
and psychological abuse is difficult to prove, but by educating residents about this type of abuse
and creating a society that is more aware of this type of abuse, in addition to physical abuse,
police officers, lawyers, citizens, and even victims may gain a better understanding of it and be
more easily able to identify this type of abuse.
A lack of community education about intimate partner violence may also contribute to
discrimination against survivors due to some existing stigmas about the issue. Society has a
common misconception that the victim in a violent relationship can easily leave (Eckstein, 2011).
The survivor may also be blamed for not leaving sooner, especially if his/her violent relationship
places his/her child in danger. Because of these stigmas, many victims remain in violent
relationships, because they are pressured to feel as though the situation is their fault.
Additionally, once a survivor successfully leaves a violent relationship, he/she may be hesitant to
report the abuse for fear of guilt and blame for not having left sooner. By better educating others
about this issue, those who do not have experience with intimate partner violence may better
understand the situation of survivors and be less likely to blame them for their situation. With
less of a stigma on the issue, survivors may feel more accepted and therefore more willing to
report the violence without a fear of guilt or blame.
Another way that education can help to aid survivors of intimate partner violence is by
reaching them directly. In a survey, 23% of survivors of intimate partner violence reported
remaining in their relationship because they had hope for the future of the relationship and hope

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE IN DELAWARE COUNTY

that things would improve (Eckstein, 2011). By educating potential victims of intimate partner
violence on the nature and cycle of abuse, these victims may better realize and understand that
their relationship will likely not improve. Upon realizing this, victims may be more likely to let
go of that hope and leave their abusive relationship.
Lack of Resources
Another major reason that survivors give for remaining in violent relationships is a lack
of both practical and relational resources (Eckstein, 2011). Many survivors not only have no
place to go or no money to support themselves, but also have nobody to turn to for emotional
support. Resources not only need to be available to these survivors, but also need to be made
known and easily-accessible to them as well.
Practical resources include monetary resources and shelters. As mentioned earlier, A
Better Way is a shelter that serves survivors of intimate partner violence in Delaware County. In
addition to providing a residence for survivors, A Better Way can also provide food and clothing,
among many other needs that a survivor may have. While this is a great resource in the Delaware
County community, the shelter and its services are not highly publicized, and, therefore,
survivors may not be aware that such a service exists in their community.
Practical resources also include the emotional support from others. Having someone to
rely on and turn to in a time of crisis is just as, if not more, important as having a place to go.
Survivors need to feel that they are heard and supported in their decisions. This can also help
them feel less isolated and alone after leaving an intimate relationship.
Relational resources are also a major concern for survivors of intimate partner violence
(Eckstein, 2011). Victims of intimate partner violence may be hesitant to leave an abusive
relationship for fear of loneliness and lack of intimacy. They may feel as though they are

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE IN DELAWARE COUNTY

damaged and that no one will love them again after having been abused by a partner. They
may also believe that being in a violent, intimate relationship is better than being in no intimate
relationship at all, and may cite this as a reason for staying in a violent relationship. In reaction to
this, shelters should make efforts to educate survivors on healthy relationships and should also
work to empower women and encourage them to become independent and self-sufficient, so that
they feel less of a need to have an intimate relationship at any cost. Shelters should also help
survivors build a strong support network, in order to prevent survivors from feeling alone when
faced with the end of an intimate relationship.
Community Values
Despite common misconceptions and judgments from many members of society who
may not fully understand intimate partner violence, the Delaware County community seems to be
very aware of and open to discussing the issue. The Star Press, a Muncie newspaper, has
published multiple articles written by Teresa Clemmons, the executive director of A Better Way
in Muncie. As someone who works with survivors of intimate partner violence on a daily basis,
Clemmons offers knowledgeable insight into the issue of intimate partner violence. One article
focuses on the issue of teen dating violence, where Clemmons offers statistics on the issue and
urges parents to talk with their teenagers about the risks and importance of reporting teen dating
violence (Clemmons, 2015).
Similarly, The Star Press also published a first-person perspective story of a survivor of
intimate partner violence (Fusco, 2014). The newspaper did this at a time when intimate partner
violence was being widely discussed on a national stage, which drew more attention to the story.
By publishing this story, they let readers learn about intimate partner violence from a first-person
perspective and gain a better understanding of the experiences of a survivor.

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE IN DELAWARE COUNTY

Conclusion
Intimate partner violence is a serious issue in Delaware County. While resources exist in
the community for survivors of intimate partner violence, such as A Better Way, other issues that
relate to intimate partner violence must be addressed. One important issue that the community
needs to address is a lack of education about intimate partner violence and the experience of
survivors. Community members should be made more aware of the issue, so as not to blame or
stigmatize survivors for coming forward. This could be done through outreach programs
sponsored by domestic violence shelters in the community. The community should also work
toward empowering women, especially survivors of intimate partner violence, in order to
encourage independence and self-esteem. Fortunately, the Delaware County community is aware
that intimate partner violence is an issue and already works somewhat toward educating
community members through survivors stories and stories from individuals who work closely
with survivors. Delaware County is already making progress in reducing issues related to
intimate partner violence.

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE IN DELAWARE COUNTY

References
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http://abetterwaymuncie.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Annual-Report-2013-2014Revised.pdf
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Caetano, R., Vaeth, P. A. C., & Ramisetty-Mikler, S. (2008). Intimate partner violence victim and
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Fusco, C. (2014, November 6). Survivor of domestic violence tells her story. The Star Press.
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