Domestic Violence

The Norwood Police Department is now a part of DOVE’s (Domestic Violence Ended) Civilian Domestic Violence Advocacy Program. This program provides the Department with an advocate as a direct outreach to victims in “domestic incident” calls that our Department responds to.

DOVE was established in 1978 and is based in Norfolk County. It is a charitable nonprofit organization that provides services and support for victims of dating and domestic violence, as well as their children. Some of the services they provide include a 24-hour crisis hotline, emergency shelter and support/counseling services. DOVE assists individuals at all different places in their process, exploring options in the community, pursuing legal remedies or seeking to leave an abusive relationship.

Abby Belyea is the Advocate assigned to our Department. She will be at the Department on a weekly basis to reach out to and assist any victims involved domestic incidents. All services provided through Abby are confidential. Abby brings many years of experience working with survivors of domestic violence and will be a great addition to our Department!

DOVE Inc. – DOmestic Violence Ended

P.O. Box 690267
Quincy, MA 02269
24-hour Crisis Hotline: 617-471-1234 or 888-314-3683
Community Advocacy & Prevention Services: 617-770-4065
Abby Belyea: 857-939-3058
Email: abby.belyea@dovema.org

What is domestic violence?
Domestic violence includes a wide range of behaviorswhere one person is exerting power and control over a spouse, partner, girl/boyfriend, teen, and/or an adult family member. Domestic violence, also referred to as domestic abuse or battering, is a pattern of controlling behavior and not just a single act. The violence may cause injury, but domestic violence is not always physical.

Who are victims?

• Anyone. Domestic violence affects teens and adults every age, racial or ethnic background, religious group, neighborhood, and income level.
• Primarily women. The U.S. Department of Justice estimates that more than 90% of all domestic violence victims are female and that most abusers are male. Whether the victim is male or female, violence of any kind in relationships is unacceptable.
• GLBT. Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals are abused at approximately the same levels as heterosexual couples, but the abuse may be exacerbated by social isolation caused by societal oppression and discrimination.
• Elders. 11% of individuals 60 and older reported experiencing abuse within the last year. Perpetrators include spouses or partners as well as adult children and caregivers.
• Children. Children may themselves also be victims of domestic violence or be hurt by being exposed to the violence and the battering parent. They also are sometimes used by perpetrators as threats or means to coerce their victims.
• Teens. 18% of high school females and 7% of high school boys report being physically hurt by someone they are dating.
• Immigrants. Domestic violence within immigrant and refugee communities can cause victims to be isolated socially and legally with complications due to documentation status and access issues due to language and culture. Abuse may be exacerbated by social isolation, language barriers, and lack of familiarity with local laws and services.
• Men. Men and boys are victims of domestic violence, with estimates as high as 17% of men in relationships reporting violence committed against them by their partner.
• Disabilities. People with disabilities are reporting higher rates of domestic violence than the general public. People with caregiver or power relationships are often identified as the perpetrators

Who are abusers?
People who commit domestic violence come from all backgrounds, races, religions, economic status, educational levels, and occupations. Different terms are used to name the person who commits domestic violence: perpetrators, offenders, batterers, abusers. While the term used may vary, the behaviors remain the same. A perpetrator uses abusivetactics such as manipulation, fear, violence, blame, shame, lying, isolation, and male privilege to reinforce their rules and maintain control over their victims.

What abusers have in common is the belief that they have the right to control the thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and actions of their partners. This sense of entitlement is reinforced by community and societal beliefs. Abusers also go undetected because they often appear charming, composed, and attentive to outsiders—even to their partners, at first. They manipulate not only their victims but also how others view them. They are masters of control—they control their behavior in public as a way of disguising their abusive behavior so that they appear socially acceptable and the victims appear to be the ones with problems. Often abusers see themselves as the victims. These inaccurate pictures can putvictims in jeopardy and undermine law enforcement response and community prevention efforts.

Unemployment, alcohol and substance abuse, mental or physical illness, and stress do not cause or offer an excuse for domestic violence. For instance, many people have alcohol and/or drug problems but are not violent; conversely, many batterers are not substance abusers. The bottom line is that perpetrators make a choice to be abusive.