FAQ
One in four women (25%) has experienced domestic violence in her lifetime.
- Women accounted for 85% of the victims of intimate partner violence, men for approximately 15%.
- Estimates range from 960,000 incidents of violence against a current or former spouse, boyfriend, or girlfriend to 3 million women who are physically abused by their husband or boyfriend per year.
Between 600,000 and 6 million women are victims of domestic violence each year, and between 100,000 and 6 million men, depending on the type of survey used to obtain the information.
- Women ages 20-24 are at the greatest risk of nonfatal intimate partner violence.
- Between 1993 and 2004, intimate partner violence on average made up 22% of nonfatal intimate partner victimizations against women. The same year, intimate partners committed 3% of all violent crime against men.
- Women of all races are about equally vulnerable to violence by an intimate partner.
- Intimate partner violence affects people regardless of income. However, people with lower annual income (below $25K) are at a 3-times higher risk of intimate partner violence than people with higher annual income (over $50K).
- Nearly 2.2 million people called a domestic violence crisis or hot line in 2004 to escape crisis situations, seek advice, or assist someone they thought might be victims.
Nearly three out of four (74%) of Americans personally know someone who is or has been a victim of domestic violence.
- 30% of Americans say they know a woman who has been physically abused by her husband or boyfriend in the past year.
On average, more than three women and one man are murdered by their intimate partners in this country every day.
- Women of all races are about equally vulnerable to violence by an intimate partner.
- Nearly 2.2 million people called a domestic violence crisis or hot line in 2004 to escape crisis situations, seek advice, or assist someone they thought might be victims.
On average, more than three women and one man are murdered by their intimate partners in this country every day.
- About half of all female victims of intimate violence report an injury of some type, and about 20 percent of them seek medical assistance.
- Approximately one in five female high school students reports being physically and/or sexually abused by a dating partner
- Forty percent of girls age 14 to 17 report knowing someone their age who has been hit or beaten by a boyfriend.
- In a national survey of American families, 50% of the men who frequently assaulted their wives also frequently abused their children.
Studies suggest that between 3.3 – 10 million children witness some form of domestic violence annually.
What is domestic violence?
Domestic violence occurs when one person uses physical and/or emotional abuse in a relationship to control another person. Abuse may be physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, and financial. Some examples of domestic abuse include:
- Verbal assaults (e.g., name calling and put downs)
- Physical assaults (e.g., pushing, shoving, or hitting)
- Sexual abuse
- Stalking
- Threatening to do physical harm
- Intimidation
- Financial abuse (e.g., withholding money)
Who are the victims of domestic violence?
Anyone can be a victim! Domestic violence is non-discriminatory; it happens to people of every age, gender, race, culture, religion, education, employment, and marital status. Although both men and women can be abused, domestic violence occurs more often to women. Children, the elderly, and those who are mentally handicapped are also common victims of abuse and neglect. Children who live in a home where domestic violence occurs are also more likely to be abused and/or neglected. Even children who are not physically abused can suffer emotionally and psychologically if exposed to domestic violence.
Who are the abusers?
In many cases, it is very difficult to identify an abuser. Most abuse happens in private; to the outside world, the abuser can appear to be loving and supportive but may be abusive behind closed doors. Abuse is never an accident; it is always intentional and used to have more power and control over another person. Although women are most often victims of domestic violence, women can also be abusers.
What can you do if you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence?
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger of abuse, please call 911 or your local police station.
If you or someone you know is a victim of physical or emotional abuse or neglect, please call the U.S. National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit www.thehotline.org.
You are not alone. Help is available!