Home Data Center Surveys Domestic Violence Surveys What was your last straw with an abusive partner? (Please select all that apply) When they became possessive and controlling over me. When they threatened to physically harm me. When they threatened to physically harm my children. The first time they were physically violent toward me. The first time they were physically violent toward my children. When I wound up needing medical care or being hospitalized. When they threatened to kill me. When they acquired a weapon that I knew could kill me. After they tried to kill me. My final straw was something else. Vote view results View Results Did an abusive partner prevent you from voting in elections? closed (Please select all that apply) Yes No View Results As a survivor of abuse, what term do you prefer? closed (Please select all that apply) Survivor Victim Survivor still impacted by abuse Other View Results Were you asked about abuse at your last Dr. appointment? closed (Please select all that apply) Yes No View Results Which abuser(s) have you encountered? closed (Please select all that apply) The Demand Man Mr. Right The Water Torturer The Drill Sergeant Mr. Sensitive The Player Rambo View Results Do you think a DV offender registry could prevent abuse? closed (Please select all that apply) Yes No View Results Survivors: Did you feel like you had power to stop abuse? closed (Please select all that apply) Yes, I believed that if I had really caused it, I could stop it. No, I knew it was the abuser’s choice to continue to be abusive. View Results Did an abuser ever use sleep deprivation as a form of abuse? closed (Please select all that apply) Yes, my abuser wouldn’t let me fall or stay asleep. Yes, and my abuser would physically, sexually or verbally abuse me when I fell asleep. Yes, and my abuser would punish me the next day for making mistakes while exhausted. No, my abuser never used sleep deprivation as an abuse tactic. View Results Did you collect evidence against your abuser before court? closed (Please select all that apply) Yes, and it helped my case. Yes, but my abuser found out and destroyed it. No, I wasn’t able to or I was afraid it would put me in more danger. Yes, but it was inadmissible in court. View Results As a survivor, do you dream of becoming an entrepreneur? closed (Please select all that apply) Yes, I would love to become an entrepreneur and I have an idea for a business. Yes, I would love to become an entrepreneur but I don’t yet have a business idea. No, I don’t really have any desire to start my own business. View Results How do you feel the system is failing DV survivors? closed (Please select all that apply) Not enough DV-trained judges and attorneys. Law enforcement needs to be better educated about recognizing DV. More help for survivors to get orders of protection. More free legal assistance from DV-trained attorneys. Courts need to stop giving abusers custody of their children. Mandatory arrest laws need to be abolished. The problem is with the way our culture views women. View Results At what age did you or do you plan to talk to your kids about boundaries and consent? closed (Please select all that apply) Before 3 Between 3-4 Between 5-6 Between 7-8 Between 9-12 I never talked about boundaries and consent with my kids, or don't plan to Not until they are/were teenagers View Results As a Black survivor of DV, did you or have you felt reluctant to disclose abuse? closed (Please select all that apply) Yes, because I’m afraid of being harassed or harmed by the police. Yes, because I’m afraid of turning my partner over to the police, or I believe I should stand by him no matter what. Yes, because of judgment from my own community. Yes, because I’m afraid of raising my children alone or separating them from their father. Yes, because of financial insecurity. Yes, but for another reason not listed. No, I have or will disclose abuse to someone. View Results Have you ever intervened when you’ve witnessed domestic violence? closed (Please select all that apply) Yes, I’ve tried one of the methods above, or something similar. No, but I would. No, and I regret not doing so. No, I don’t think it’s my place to get involved. View Results How many people did you tell when you were ready to leave your abuser? closed (Please select all that apply) No one. 1-2 3-4 5 or more View Results When you left your abuser, did you contemplate the decision for a while? closed (Please select all that apply) I decided in a split second to leave. I struggled for several days/weeks deciding if I should go. It took me years to overcome the barriers in order to escape. I’m still struggling with figuring out how and when to leave. View Results Did you have time to do any of the following before leaving your abuser? closed (Please select all that apply) I was able to gather up our financial documents. I opened up a new account or credit card in my name only. I was able to accumulate and safely hide away some cash. I was able to change beneficiaries on my accounts to someone other than my abuser. I wasn’t able to do any of these things before leaving my abuser. View Results Has someone used a LifeLock fraudulently to stalk you? closed (Please select all that apply) Yes No View Results Survivors: What types of empathy made a difference in your life? (Select all that apply.) closed (Please select all that apply) Listening without judgment Always being open and available to talk Someone educating themselves about domestic violence to understand what you went through Unexpected gestures of kindness (such as providing food, shelter, or a monetary gift) Someone opening up to you about similar experiences Physical affection, like a hug Withholding judgement View Results If your abuser was sentenced to probation, did he ever violate the terms of his probation? closed (Please select all that apply) Only once. Yes, more than once. No, my abuser obeyed the conditions of probation. View Results Which of these at-home methods helped relieve your symptoms of trauma? closed (Please select all that apply) Meditation Exercise Massage Binge-watching my favorite movies or TV show Volunteering Talking to a therapist I haven't tried any of these View Results Parents: Do you ask about guns in the home before letting your child play somewhere new? closed (Please select all that apply) Yes, always. Occasionally. No, and I wouldn't ask. I haven't before, but now I plan to ask. View Results How long did it take after abuse ended to feel like a strong, empowered survivor? closed (Please select all that apply) Immediately after I separated from my abuser. Less than a year. One to three years. Three to five years. Five to 10 years. More than 10 years. View Results Do you believe spanking a child is an OK form of discipline? closed (Please select all that apply) Yes No It's up to the parents. I'm not sure. View Results Does the entertainment industry influence society’s ideas on abuse, rape and consent? closed (Please select all that apply) Yes, definitely. People are a product of what they see, hear and read. Somewhat. But most people are probably smart enough to separate entertainment from from reality. No, not at all. View Results If you have experienced domestic violence, how was it impacted by the summer season? closed (Please select all that apply) The violence tended to escalate during the summer. The violence stayed consistent from season to season. The violence was less during the summer. View Results If you’re a survivor, how many times have you reached out to a hotline? closed (Please select all that apply) I’ve never called a hotline before. Once or twice. 3-5 times. 6-10 times. I’ve lost track, I’ve called them so often for help. View Results Do you ask for consent before kissing your partner? closed (Please select all that apply) Only if it's the first kiss! No, never. Yes, always. Sometimes. View Results What did your instincts tell you when you met your abuser the first time? closed (Please select all that apply) I don’t remember feeling anything off-putting. I remember some feelings of unease or uncertainty, but I looked past them. View Results Did you delay/are you delaying leaving your abuser due to concerns of escalated violence? closed (Please select all that apply) Yes No View Results Did news, politics or current events impact the frequency of the abuse you experienced? closed (Please select all that apply) Yes, the frequency of the abuse I experienced increased. No, the frequency of the abuse I experienced did not increase. View Results As a survivor, what sort of legal representation did you get pertaining to your DV case? closed (Please select all that apply) I hired an attorney(s) at regular rates and paid for it. I hired an attorney(s) who took my case at reduced rates. I found and used free legal help or representation. I represented myself or wasn’t able to find free or low-cost legal help. View Results Have you felt like your abuser has kept or tried to keep your children from you? closed (Please select all that apply) Yes, I’m a mom and my abuser has tried to do this. Yes, I’m a father and my abuser has tried to do this. No, my abuser has not tried to keep me from seeing my children. View Results Have you ever used VINE to notify you of an offender’s release? closed (Please select all that apply) Yes, and it worked great. Yes, but I wasn’t alerted when an offender was released. No, I didn’t know about it. But I might sign up for notifications. No, I’m in one of the two states it’s not offered in. View Results Have you or would you involve your children in safety planning? closed (Please select all that apply) Yes, I have or would. No, I haven’t or wouldn’t. View Results If you’ve experienced DV at the hands of a serviceman or woman, have you reported it? closed (Please select all that apply) Yes, and the military took appropriate actions to help keep myself and my family safe. Yes, but the military did not seem to support any repercussions for my abuser. No, I was too afraid of what might happen to myself or my spouse as a result. No, I didn’t report it for another reason. View Results What’s the biggest financial hurdle you’ve had to overcome after abuse? closed (Please select all that apply) Trying to find or access joint finances. Opening my own bank account or credit card. Repairing credit history ruined by abuser. Creating a workable budget. Saving for the future. View Results If you’ve been turned away from a DV shelter because of lack of space, what did you do? closed (Please select all that apply) Returned to my abuser. Went to a homeless shelter, stayed in my car overnight or lived on the streets. Found a DV shelter with availability in another city. Stayed at a hotel. Stayed with family or friends. Found refuge with my place of worship. Other. View Results Did you find verbal abuse more or less damaging, long-term, than physical abuse? closed (Please select all that apply) Verbal abuse felt more damaging than physical abuse. The physical abuse was more damaging to me than verbal abuse. All types of abuse I endured were equally as damaging long-term. View Results How did you document the abuse you experienced? closed (Please select all that apply) Friends willing to testify on abuse they witnessed Medical reports of injuries Police reports Pictures of injuries, destruction or other visual evidence Personal diary Digital evidence, emails, texts, screenshots, voice mail None of the above, I didn't document the abuse View Results How has domestic violence most impacted you at work? closed (Please select all that apply) I’ve been late or missed more days than I’d like. My abuser has stalked me at my place of employment. I’m distracted at work by my abuser’s harassment. I’ve been unable to find work because of the abuse I’m enduring. I’ve been fired because of domestic violence affecting my ability to work. View Results Where did you find the most support while going through domestic abuse? closed (Please select all that apply) My family or close friends A DV advocate A DV support group My workplace/coworkers Religious or spiritual leaders My doctor I relied on myself for strength View Results If your abuser was or is in law enforcement, did that give you pause about speaking out? closed (Please select all that apply) Yes, I was afraid I wouldn’t be believed. Yes, I thought my abuser would be able to work the system. Yes, I was worried he or she would lose their job. No, I spoke up and got help, or am planning to get help soon. View Results As a teen, did you feel like you had someone you could talk to about dating violence? closed (Please select all that apply) I knew I could talk to my parents about this. I would have rather gone to my friends to talk about dating violence. I trusted our school counselor on matters like this. I did call, or would have felt comfortable calling, a help line to talk about my concerns. No, I don’t feel like I had someone I could trust to talk to about this. View Results As an immigrant survivor of domestic abuse, what challenge did you face in getting help? closed (Please select all that apply) I don’t speak a common language. I’m not sure where to turn for help. Even if I left my abuser, I have nowhere else to live or no job to support myself with. I can’t reveal the abuse for fear of shaming or disappointing my family. I’m afraid I’ll be deported, or my abuser will be deported, if the abuse is revealed. Other View Results What barrier did you come up against when you thought about leaving your abuser? closed (Please select all that apply) It was safer to stay Shame or embarrassment Drugs or alcohol abuse were present Stockholm syndrome Living in a rural place or having no transportation Being undocumented Other View Results As a parent & survivor, what's been the biggest challenge when it comes to custody issues? closed (Please select all that apply) My abuser claiming I’m trying to turn our children against him or her. My abuser turning my children against me. My abuser trying to get custody when I know my children are scared to go to him or her. My children being required to spend time with my abuser or being in a risk environment. Having to communicate and deal with my abuser on a regular basis. Finding knowledgeable people or resources to help me with child custody issues. Being able to afford quality legal representation. View Results Which of these barriers did you face when you thought about leaving your abusive partner? closed (Please select all that apply) Mental disability Being in the military Having no place to go Your religious beliefs Your own past criminal record A prior negative experience with the court system Other View Results Have you ever come up against housing discrimination as a survivor of domestic violence? closed (Please select all that apply) Yes, a landlord tried to evict me on grounds related to abuse my partner inflicted on me. Yes, I was unable to break a lease without penalty when I needed to move for my safety. Both of the above. No, I’ve always been lucky to have a landlord that was not discriminatory in any way. View Results Did your batterer use strangulation as an abuse tactic? closed (Please select all that apply) No, never. Yes, but I luckily didn’t suffer long-term health effects. Yes, and it still impacts my health. View Results If you’ve experienced cyberstalking, what tactic did your abuser use? closed (Please select all that apply) An app was installed allowing my abuser to read my emails and texts. My abuser used a GPS app to track my location. My abuser stalked and monitored my activity on social media sites. My abuser coerced me to share my passwords to my online accounts. My abuser shared or threatened to share online my private or intimate photos. More than one of the above. All of the above. View Results How supportive was your religion when you contemplated leaving an abusive partner? closed (Please select all that apply) My religion, and the people in it, were supportive and understanding. I found my place of worship somewhat judgmental and not overly helpful. My religion didn’t help or support leaving my partner. View Results How many times did you attempt to leave your abuser before you were able to escape? closed (Please select all that apply) 1 time 2-3 times 4-6 times 7-10 times 11-15 times 16 or more times I'm still with an abuser View Results What barrier did you come up against when you thought about leaving your abusive partner? closed (Please select all that apply) Wanting to keep the family together Illiteracy You are or were incarcerated Your abuser is in law enforcement Your sexual orientation Still being in love with your abuser Mental illness or other health issues View Results Did you use drugs or alcohol while experiencing abuse? closed (Please select all that apply) No, I didn't use substances (or only did in moderation and unrelated to the abuse). Yes, but only occassionally and in order to cope. Yes, because my abuser forced it upon me. Yes, for coping or because it was forced upon me, and I became addicted as a result. I had a substance abuse problem before the violence started. View Results Do you think an abusive partner could change after attending batterer counseling? closed (Please select all that apply) Yes, I think certain abusive behaviors can be unlearned. It depends on the severity and type of abuse, but possibly. No, once an abuser, always an abuser. View Results Have you experienced discrimination from law enforcement when calling to report abuse? closed (Please select all that apply) No, I’ve generally experienced a good response and police have been helpful. On occasion, I’ve felt my call wasn’t given the priority it should have been from police. Yes, I have felt repeatedly that police have not believed me when I say I’m in immediate danger. View Results What barrier did you come up against when you thought about leaving your abuser? closed (Please select all that apply) Pressure from family Fear, either of retaliation from abuser or of losing custody of children Isolation Gratitude Guilt Financial abuse or despair, or possibility of homelessness Hope that the violence will end View Results If you left an abusive partner with your teen, were you able to find shelter? closed (Please select all that apply) Yes, a shelter in my area was able to help myself and my teenage children. Sort of. I found help from a local organization, but we were given alternate housing outside of a shelter. No, I couldn’t find a shelter that would take in me and my teenage children. View Results When you were experiencing abuse, what did someone do that you found most helpful? closed (Please select all that apply) They helped me find or call a local DV advocate or shelter. They helped me financially. They accompanied me to court. They helped me come up with a safety plan for escape. They watched my pets for me when I left my abuser. They listened and supported me unconditionally. Unfortunately, none of my friends or family offered help. View Results What barrier did you come up against when you thought about leaving your abusive partner? closed (Please select all that apply) Lack of an advocate to help you Threats or excuses from or influence of abuser Best interest of or pressure from children Cultural or racial defenses Denial Being elderly or disabled Other View Results If you’ve experienced domestic violence, how was it impacted by holidays? closed (Please select all that apply) The violence tended to escalate during holidays The violence stayed consistent regardless of the day The violence was less during holidays View Results Have you shared your story of domestic abuse publically before? closed (Please select all that apply) Yes, I do speak often because it is healing and helps others. Once or twice. I mostly keep it to myself and press on. No, I haven’t spoken about it publically yet, but I want to. No, I don’t plan on speaking out about it. View Results At what age did you first experience abuse by an intimate partner? closed (Please select all that apply) 0-16 years old 17-24 years old 25-34 years old 35-45 years old 46+ years old View Results Which type of abuse did you experience first? closed (Please select all that apply) Physical abuse Emotional/verbal abuse Sexual abuse Financial abuse Mental abuse View Results How long after you left your abusive partner did you start dating again? closed (Please select all that apply) 0-6 months 6-12 months 1-2 years 2-5 years I haven't dated since View Results How many hours of sleep do you get per night? closed (Please select all that apply) Less than five Six or seven A solid eight More than eight—I love sleep! View Results Should all states have anti-SLAPP laws so abusers can't sue survivors for reporting abuse? closed (Please select all that apply) Yes, all states should have anti-SLAPP laws. No, if you want to sue, you should be able to sue. View Results What happened when you obtained a protection order? closed (Please select all that apply) Protection order reduced or stopped unwanted contact. Protection order was violated and I never reported it. Protection order was violated, I reported it and nothing happened to abuser. Protection order was violated and abuser received legal consequences. View Results Improved legislation is most important in which area? closed (Please select all that apply) Increased funding for victim services Expand gun prohibition to stalkers/dating partners Make it illegal to fire employee based on being abuse victim Prevent victim's credit score from being ruined by abuser View Results Receive new and helpful articles weekly. Sign up here. 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