No Uptick In Domestic Violence Super Bowl Sunday

By Amy E. Feldman

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - It's a well known statistic that there is a 40% increase in domestic violence Super Bowl Sunday.

News reports citing several prominent authors, hospitals, and domestic violence shelters have stated that there is a 40% uptick in reports of domestic violence on Super Bowl Sunday, a report that comes as no surprise to anyone who has watched a bunch of screaming, testosterone-flooded fans. But here's the surprise. Those reports are fabricated.

Snopes.com reports that statistic is an often reported urban myth. Statistically speaking, the day of the Super Bowl does not lead to significantly higher rates of domestic violence.

In case you were wondering, here's what you actually need to know about domestic violence: domestic violence is a pattern of behaviors where one partner tries to maintain control over another partner through the use of physical force, intimidation, or threats. The pattern generally takes place as a three part cycle: the tension buildup, the explosion, and then the remorse.

If you find yourself in a domestic violence situation, there are hotlines in almost every county. There are shelters that take in the victim and the victim's children and in many cases, the victim's pet as well.

This is no game. Get help.