MONROE - While specific reasons for domestic abuse are hard to pinpoint, economic difficulties can play a role.
Green Haven Family Advocates Executive Director Alice Franks-Gray said incidents of domestic abuse do increase when people feel stressed out because of the economy.
"If both people are without jobs and are struggling to maintain their lifestyle and pay bills it can cause more stress," Franks-Gray said. "The lack of money helps feed the nervousness and leads to anger."
The cases of abuse increase and they become more "profound," Franks-Gray said.
"In the past, what might have been verbal abuse becomes physical abuse," she said.
According to the Associated Press, the Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence says its preliminary figures show at least 46 domestic violence incidents resulting in 59 deaths in 2009, across the state. That's up from 36 deaths in 2008.
Final numbers for 2009 of people who sought assistance from Green Haven weren't available, but from January to June of last year Green Haven had 215 clients, according to Franks-Gray. That number was up from 158 during the same time in 2008. There were no deaths in Green County from domestic violence.
Franks-Gray said final numbers for domestic violence would be available later this year.
Increased violence has an affect on children. Kids who see domestic violence often grow up to be either victims or abusers, Franks-Gray said.
"How their parents handle problems is often how kids learn to handle problems," she said.
There are some ways people can reduce the amount of stress, Franks-Gray said.
Among her suggestions:
• Step back and look at the problems.
"They should look at what brought them together, what made them fall in love in the first place," she said.
Couples can take some time for themselves, watch a movie or eat a meal together.
"Maybe send the kids to a friend's house or to a relatives house for a while. Just spend time together," Franks-Gray said.
• Talk to someone who is not involved with the situation, but who can give an objective opinion.
• Talk to someone at Green Haven. People can contact Green Haven Family Advocates by calling 325-7711.
Green Haven Family Advocates Executive Director Alice Franks-Gray said incidents of domestic abuse do increase when people feel stressed out because of the economy.
"If both people are without jobs and are struggling to maintain their lifestyle and pay bills it can cause more stress," Franks-Gray said. "The lack of money helps feed the nervousness and leads to anger."
The cases of abuse increase and they become more "profound," Franks-Gray said.
"In the past, what might have been verbal abuse becomes physical abuse," she said.
According to the Associated Press, the Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence says its preliminary figures show at least 46 domestic violence incidents resulting in 59 deaths in 2009, across the state. That's up from 36 deaths in 2008.
Final numbers for 2009 of people who sought assistance from Green Haven weren't available, but from January to June of last year Green Haven had 215 clients, according to Franks-Gray. That number was up from 158 during the same time in 2008. There were no deaths in Green County from domestic violence.
Franks-Gray said final numbers for domestic violence would be available later this year.
Increased violence has an affect on children. Kids who see domestic violence often grow up to be either victims or abusers, Franks-Gray said.
"How their parents handle problems is often how kids learn to handle problems," she said.
There are some ways people can reduce the amount of stress, Franks-Gray said.
Among her suggestions:
• Step back and look at the problems.
"They should look at what brought them together, what made them fall in love in the first place," she said.
Couples can take some time for themselves, watch a movie or eat a meal together.
"Maybe send the kids to a friend's house or to a relatives house for a while. Just spend time together," Franks-Gray said.
• Talk to someone who is not involved with the situation, but who can give an objective opinion.
• Talk to someone at Green Haven. People can contact Green Haven Family Advocates by calling 325-7711.