Domestic violence is an unfortunate reality in every community and state. Thousands of people call victim helplines each day, and it is estimated that one in three women will experience violence at the hand of an intimate partner at least once. Women are not the only victims, however, as a quarter of men are also likely to experience some sort of domestic abuse.

If you are a victim of violence in your home or if you know someone who is being targeted by an abusive partner or parent, you might be unsure what you can do. What protections are available to people who have been victimized? Would reporting the incident to the police help, or might it make a bad situation worse? .

Here are some FAQs that can give you a baseline for getting or sending help in situations of domestic violence.