MYTH 1: Domestic Violence is RARE. It just doesn’t happen in rural Nebraska.
 

FACT 1: Domestic Violence occurs everywhere, even in rural Nebraska. Between July 1, 2003, and June 30, 2004, Family Rescue Services served 149 families with a total of 160 children from our four-county service area; 126 of these families were for domestic or dating violence.

MYTH 2: Domestic Violence does not occur in families that appear “normal.”
 

FACT 2: It may seem surprising, but in most cases domestic violence is never exposed in a family; the shame and humiliation of domestic violence is often kept a family secret. As far as abusers go, many have a public face and a private face. In public they can be an outstanding citizen, but they can turn into someone completely different at home.

MYTH 3: Domestic Violence victims are only women.
 

FACT 3: Anyone can be a victim, whether they are women, men, or children. Our clientele at FRS is about 10 percent male.

MYTH 4: Children are not affected by Domestic Violence. They are in their rooms or sleeping, can’t hear it, and therefore are not affected by it.
 

FACT 4: Many victims are under the assumption that if their child does not actually see the violence, they are not affected. This is just not true. Children are much smarter and more aware than most parents would like to think. They are usually not sleeping in their rooms, and they know what is going on.

MYTH 5: Domestic Violence is caused by alcohol or drug use.
 

FACT 5: Domestic Violence is a conscious, deliberate act that is caused by the abuser’s need for, or perceived need for, power and control. Although alcohol, drugs, or anger may help facilitate Domestic Violence, they are not the cause of domestic violence.