Frequently Asked Questions

You can call your local domestic violence agency 24/7.  You’ll talk to a caring person who will listen carefully without judging you or your situation. Advocates can help you think about your options and determine what steps and services will work best for you. Our advocates may ask questions to learn more about your situation, but will always take your lead. While they will not presume to know what is best for you, they will ask that you consider all possible scenarios and outcomes so that you can make the best decision about action steps for you and your children.

Each comprehensive domestic violence agency works with people of all races, ethnicities, ages, gender identities, sexual orientations, abilities, cultural backgrounds, religions, and all economic and social backgrounds. Services are free and confidential. They will not report you to immigration, ICE, or law enforcement if you are undocumented.

You have many options, from obtaining a protection order, to staying in a shelter, or exploring options through a support group or anonymous calls to a local program. There is hope. You are not alone. Learn more about your options here.

Yes, but they must make the choice to change. It’s not easy for an abuser to stop abusive behavior, and it requires a serious decision to change. Once an abuser has had all of the power in a relationship, it’s difficult to change to a healthy relationship with equal power and compromises. Sometimes an abuser stops the physical violence, but continues to employ other forms of abuse – emotional, sexual, or financial. Some abusers are able to exert complete control over a victim’s every action without using violence or only using subtle threats of violence. All types of abuse are devastating to victims.

Yes, men are sometimes victims of domestic violence. A 2014 national study found that 1 in 7 men in the US have been severally physically abused by an intimate partner at some point in their lifetime. However, women are 90-95% more likely to be abused than men. When we talk about domestic violence, we’re not talking about men versus women or women versus men. We’re talking about violence versus peace. We’re talking about control versus respect. Domestic violence affects us all, and all of us must be part of the solution.

There are many reasons why victims might stay in the relationship.

• • Love: Abusers are not hurtful all the time. Many abusers have a likable and loving side. Many victims think that they can change the abuser’s behavior.
  • Fear: Many abusers threaten to hurt or kill themselves if their victim decides to leave. Abusers often threaten that the violence will get worse if the partner decides to leave. Finally, the most dangerous time for a victim is when she’s trying to leave.
  • Doubt: It’s not always easy for a victim to admit that the relationship is abusive. If the victim’s partner is especially popular at school or in the community, the victim may be concerned about losing social status.
  • Embarrassment: Victims can be afraid of an “I told you so” response from those who have tried to help in the past.
  • Hope for Change: Victims often believe that the abuser will return to the person they was at the beginning of the relationship— the person they fell in love with.
  • Isolation: As a tactic of the abuse, the abuser is likely to have made it difficult for the victim to access resources and supportive people.
  • Societal Denial: Abusers often have a public face that is charming and charismatic; it is difficult for those who only know that side to believe that abuse is taking place.
  • Societal Expectations: The victim may see ending the relationship as a failure and may also fear social stigma. The victim may not fit stereotypes about victims of domestic abuse.
  • Lack of Resources: It may be difficult or impossible for the victim to contact supportive people, and she may not have money or any way to find housing.

We might be! Check here.

Sometimes! Check here.

One of the most meaningful ways you can help in the fight against intimate partner violence is by volunteering your time. Because we don’t work directly with survivors, our volunteer opportunities are limited and are usually more administrative. Please email info@mnadv.org to see what volunteer resources we have available right now.

If you are interested in volunteering with survivors, there are programs across Maryland who are committed to ending the violence and helping victims rebuild their lives. To find a program near you in need of volunteers, click here.

Throughout the year, MNADV sponsors workshops, trainings, and conferences to provide professionals across the state with knowledge and skills to improve their response to domestic violence. MNADV Trainers are also available to provide training on domestic violence-related topics on a limited basis. Email info@mnadv.org to request a training. Due to staffing capacity, not all training requests can be accommodated. Priority is given to professional audiences that have a statewide reach.

MNADV is authorized by the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners to provide continuing education credits (CEUs) for licensed social workers. Most of MNADV’s trainings have continuing education credits available (this information is on the event registration form and on the flyer for the training).

Social work CEUs are available for FREE for our individual members and for staff members at member organizations. For information on becoming an MNADV member, go online here.For people who are NOT members and would like Social Work CEUs, they can be purchased for a nominal fee. More information here.

• • Learn
    Learning about domestic violence and the issues surrounding it will educate you and enable you to recognize that it’s everywhere.
  • Speak up
    Everyone can speak out against domestic violence. The problem will continue until society stands up with one resounding voice and says, “no more!” You can also call on your public officials to support life-saving domestic violence services and hold perpetrators accountable.
  • Volunteer
    If you’re considering volunteering, think about donating your time to a domestic violence service provider. It would not only allow you to assist in ending domestic violence, but it would offer a better perspective on the issue.
  • Donate
    You can donate to MNADV directly, or any of the amazing local domestic violence programs in Maryland.