KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL) – It’s a situation frequently gone unnoticed, but incredibly relevant around us.

As reported by Frontier Health, every minute, around 24 individuals nationwide become victims of domestic violence. One in four women and one in seven men aged 18 or older have experienced intimate partner violence at some point in their lives.

In Tennessee alone, 40% of women have reported being victims of intimate partner violence.

Domestic violence includes physical, emotional and sexual abuse of a partner.

Tim Perry, Vice President of Outpatient Services at Frontier Health, mentioned that misunderstandings about domestic violence can be detrimental to both victims and survivors.

“Some people might think it’s merely a natural reaction to a disagreement or argument, where things simply get out of control,” he noted. “But actually, this abuse follows a cyclical pattern, can span across generations, and often leads to severe outcomes, including fatalities. In fact, it’s a leading cause of death among women.”

Perry highlighted that physical indicators of domestic violence include unaccounted injuries such as bruises, cuts, and scars. He also pointed out that there are numerous emotional cues to be aware of.

“On the emotional front, victims often fear going home or discussing their partner,” he explained. “This persistent anxiety is evident. They might withdraw from friends and family, feeling unable to be near them. They exhibit ongoing low self-esteem and have a constant sense of helplessness regarding their situation.”

Domestic violence tends to remain unreported, with Perry stating that a significant reason is the fear of repercussions from the abuser or being trapped in a manipulative cycle.

“An abuser uses fear to their advantage,” he said. “They know that if they control how that person feels about themselves, if they create an atmosphere of belittlement and hopelessness, they can make them feel like they have no power and no ability to make their own decisions. Your brain kind of takes over that, especially if you live in a constant state of fear. If you are living in a state of fear, your prefrontal cortex, which actually helps in decision-making, is overridden by that anxiety that your brain is trying to compensate for. So you don’t think as clearly, you don’t think of decision making.”

Children are also victims of domestic violence. In Tennessee law, if a child witnesses domestic violence, they are considered a victim. Children living in homes where intimate partner violence is prevalent are more likely to create a cycle of generational abuse, Perry told News Channel 11.

However, it’s possible to get out of these situations and get help.

The Frontier Safe House is a shelter for survivors of domestic violence, providing resources such as housing, therapy and help finding jobs, apartments and filing legal action.

Director of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault at the Safe House, Tina Johnson, has been with the shelter for 25 years. A survivor herself, she said, helping others has helped her heal.

“I turned something that happened to myself, something negative, and turned it into a positive by helping others,” she said. “I’ve enjoyed every minute of [my work], and it’s such a blessing to help the families that we help.”

The Safe House has a 24/7 hotline to provide around-the-clock assistance. There are two shelters, one in Johnson City and another in Kingsport. The shelters can house up to 28 people at a time, and the Safe House helps almost 250 people per year.

“Usually when a new family comes in, they’re going to spend a couple of days just resting and recuperating and kind of getting their mind straight because they’ve been through unknown abuse,” Johnson explained. “They’re under a lot of stress and trauma, so we want them to feel comfortable when they first come in. We can help them get an order of protection to start out with, and going through the court system, and we can do that as soon as they get there. We don’t require that or anything like that. That’s up to each individual victim.”

Survivors typically stay with Safe House for 30 to 60 days, depending on their needs.

The Safe House welcomes survivors of all genders and backgrounds, as well as families. They also provide kennels for pets through Red Rover.

The cycle of domestic violence is complicated. On average, it takes a victim seven attempts to leave their abuser for good, according to Frontier Health.

Johnson said the Safe House is committed to helping victims through all ups and downs.

“We want to beat that average,” Johnson said. “We don’t want them to go back seven times. But, we want them to know that if they choose to go back home and they need our help again in the future, there will be no shame or blame associated with that, and we’re always going to be there to help them.”

Perry said guiding yourself or survivors through the choice to leave should include lots of support and encouragement.

“Once [victims] are out of that environment doesn’t mean that the fear or the anxiety or the repercussions of what they went through is over with,” he said. “So listening to their story, being supportive of them, never blaming them for the abuse, letting them feel like they have power. There’s hope. You do not have to be a victim of abuse or mistreatment to be loved.”

If you or someone you know may be a victim of domestic violence, call Frontier Safe House at 877-928-9062 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.