Last modified: Thursday, January 24, 2008 1:48 AM EST Domestic violence cuts across society By Felicia Connolly / Attleboro High School "Domestic violence occurs more often than most people know," said Attleboro High School Adjustment Counselor Susan Sherck. Defined as a violent act committed against someone from the immediate family or a domestic partner, domestic violence is serious. Nothing of the sort could ever happen to me, or to anyone I know ... right? People tend to ignore that something as terrible as domestic violence exists, but it does, and it's all around us. Remember that all too perfect family down the street with the American dream? Domestic violence can live there. That cute old couple next door? It could affect them, too. Domestic violence is not biased; it affects men, women, straight people, gay people, transsexuals, etc., of every race. Imagine meeting the man/woman of your dreams, falling in love, getting married and suddenly things take a terrible turn. He/she comes home from a bad day of work, not quite in the mood to talk, and decides to take their anger out on their spouse. This happens daily across the globe. Though domestic violence can be found in all types of homes, most cases involve a man attacking a woman (visit www.domesticviolence.org/who-are-the-victims). Approximately 960,000 incidents occur yearly against a current or former spouse. In 2001 women made up 85 percent of victims in intimate partner relationships, and men only 15 percent (www.endabuse.org/resources/facts/DomesticViolence.pdf). A national survey found that about 50 percent of men who abused their wives also abused their children. Studies say that anywhere from 3.3-10 million children witness domestic violence (www.endabuse.org/resources/facts). Adults and children are not the only people affected by domestic violence, teens are accountable as well. About one in three high school students are, have been, or at some point will be in an abusive relationship. One survey of 500 women ages 15-24 showed that 60 percent were currently in a violent relationship, according to the Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence, a nonprofit organization (www.acadv.org/dating.html). "I hate domestic violence, it's a form of physical abuse and it's totally unacceptable," said Sherck. Usually, domestic violence victims first go to a nurse. "First we deal with the physical being of the victim, then we try to find out some information. Once they're comfortable, we bring in an adjustment councilor," said Attleboro High Nurse Cindy Ennes. Attleboro High has gender specific groups that focus on domestic violence. "For boys we provide anger management if they had been a criminal in a domestic violence case or even a witness to one. We also educate them about the issue of domestic violence. For girls we have a Healthy Relationship Group where we teach them information on what a healthy relationship should be like. The signs of domestic violence are discussed in both groups," said Sherck. Anger management and the Healthy Relationship Group are not the only method that Attleboro High School uses to deal with domestic violence. "Adjustment counselors deal with cases all the time. Not only do we handle dating issues, but also parent issues at home," said Sherck. Usually, domestic violence is a hard thing to spot from a distance. There are signs though that hint at an abusive relationship. Some of these signs include injuries accompanied by excuses, absences from work and/or school, low self-esteem, a change in personality (becoming more withdrawn), fear of any conflict, or blaming yourself for everything (www.helpguide.org). If a friend or family member shows any of these signs, confront them and contact New Hope Inc., at 508-226-4015.