CASA... Citizens Against Spouse Abuse
P.O. Box 912, Myrtle Beach, SC, 29578
Administrative Line: (843) 293-2270 / Fax: (843) 626-0168
citizensagains@aol.com
Family violence is a crime against all family members. It can involve abuse against partners, children or the elderly. Here are some ways to tell if you are being abused.
Does your partner...
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Continually criticize, shout at you, or humiliate you?
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Point a gun at you?
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Keep you from working, take the car keys, control your money, make all your decisions?
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Regularly threaten to leave, or order you to leave?
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Hurt your pets?
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Destroy your property, punch holes in walls, or break things?
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Threaten to harm you, your children or relatives if you don't obey his demands?
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Demand sex after threats or beatings?
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Accuse you of being unfaithful?
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Become unrealistically jealous?
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Have uncontrollable and spontaneous fits of anger?
Types of Abuse
Physical
Includes pushing or shoving, slapping, punching, biting, doesn't allow you to leave the home, throwing of objects, locking you out of the home, abandoning you in a dangerous situation, rape, refusing to help you when you are sick, threaten or injure you with a weapon.
Verbal / Emotional
Includes ignoring person's feelings, ridiculing or insulting women as a group, ridiculing or insulting a person's most valued beliefs, withholding approval, keeping a person from working, controlling money and all decisions, regularly threatening to leave, abusing pets, threatening to kidnap children.
Sexual
Includes treating women as sex objects, insisting on a sexual dress code that may make the woman feel uncomfortable, criticizing sexually, insisting on unwanted and uncomfortable touching, withholding sex and affection, name-calling, publicly showing sexual interest in other women, having affairs with other women, forcing sex for the purpose of hurting, committing sadistic sexual acts.
Financial
Includes lack of providing financial resources to support the victim and / or family, denying access to financial information, denial of income earning, denial of money for necessities, strong control of income and assets, taking victim's earnings; demanding justification of all purchases, checking all purchases and receipts.
About Abusers and Victims
The Abuser
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May be any age, race, religion or from any background
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Has strong need for power and control
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Is extremely jealous of partner's outside interests
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Holds rigid sex roles
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98% of the time is male
The Victim
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May be from any socio-economic level or educational background
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May be any race or religion
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Does not enjoy the abuse
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Has very low self-esteem
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Gives up her rights, and often doesn't realize that she has any rights
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May be a man
Why the Victim Stays
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Feels responsible for the abuser's behavior
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Has traditional values regarding marriage and family
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Believes abusers threats
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Is afraid and doesn't know where to go
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Has no financial support
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Hopes he will change
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She Loves him
Effects upon children
Family Violence & Abuse is Generational
Children often develop destructive behaviors and attitudes as a result of domestic violence.
Too often they become depressed or aggressive and develop low self-esteem.
Teenagers are at high risk of abusing alcohol or drugs, becoming runaways and committing criminal acts.
Children raised in violent homes "learn" that living in fear is normal, and that violence is an effective means of controlling others.
Warning signs that children are affected by violence
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Generally more aggressive than other children
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Confused feelings as to how they are to behave
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They are over compliant and have feelings of fear
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Low self-esteem
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Fear and distrust of close relationships
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Conflicted about taking sides with parents
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Confusion over right and wrong behavior
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Psychosomatic complaints
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Problems relating to authority
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Likely to repeat patterns they have learned in the home
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Alcohol and/ or drug abuse
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Promiscuous sexual behavior at an early age
What CASA offers
Counseling
CASA offers individual, group and family counseling. CASA's counseling services are available for adults and children.
Advocacy
CASA advocates for the rights of victims of family violence. CASA's legal advocates provide support and assistance with the criminal and civil justice systems for the victims of Horry and Georgetown Counties.
Shelter
CASA offers free emergency, temporary shelter for female victims of family violence and their children. While in safety at CASA, residents receive counseling and are offered the support needed to choose a violence-free lifestyle.
Referral
CASA offers information and referrals to assist individuals in meeting their needs through utilizing community resources.
Education
CASA is committed to educating all segments of the community about the dynamics of family violence. If your church, organization, or police department is interested in having someone provide training, please contact us for more information.
Resource & Recovery Manuals
CASA offers an in-depth and comprehensive manual for victims and families of domestic violence. The manual is free of charge.
Your personal safety plan
Be Prepared! Develop a Personal Safety Plan
You and your children have a right to be safe from violence and abuse. Here are some guidelines for a personal safety plan.
If you are planning to leave...
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Have a bag ready and keep it at a neighbor's house, or hide it at home
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If you have children, teach them how to call 911
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Try to hide away money whenever possible
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Discuss a safety plan with your children
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If you have a protective order, keep it with you at all times
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Inform your employer of your situation to ensure your safety when at work
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Keep the Crisis Line number... (843) 448-6206... with you at all times
What to take when you leave...
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Drivers License
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Children's Birth Certificates
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Your Birth Certificate
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Social Security Cards
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Welfare Identification
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Money / Credit Cards / Checkbooks
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Your restraining order, or order of protection paperwork
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Car registration
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School records
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Custody papers & Divorce papers
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House and Car keys
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Medications
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Address book and phone card