Recent Statistics on Domestic Violence

• Intimate partner violence made up 22% of the violent crimes against women between 1993 and 1998.
• In 1998, women experienced about 900,000 violent offenses at the hands of an intimate partner, and men were victims of about 160,000 violence crimes by an intimate partner.
• In 1998, 1/5 of the female intimate violence victims were physically injured, and 37% sought professional medical treatment.
• Among women, being black, young, divorced, or separated; earning lower incomes; living in rental housing; and living in an urban area were all associated with higher rates of intimate partner victimization between 1993 and 1998.

Intimate Partner Violence   Bureau of Justice Statistics, Washington, DC  (2000)

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What is Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is usually not a single event and often becomes more severe and frequent over time.  It is comprised of physically or emotionally harmful acts between husbands and wives or between other individuals in intimate relationships.  Domestic violence is not gender specific, although the majority of victims are female.  It is wide spread is does not discriminate between the races, ethnicity, religion, or economic class.  There are various forms of domestic violence including financial dominance, restraint on freedom, verbal abuse, and physical violence.
Domestic violence victims suffer physical injuries that endanger their health and may result in lifelong disabilities.  The injuries may not be outwardly visible.  The practiced batterer knows how to aim his blows at the places that don’t show.  He goes for the breasts, the stomach (even during pregnancy), the base of the spine, and parts of the head where bumps and bruises will be covered by hair.  

Besides physical violence, abusers use emotional and verbal abuse, isolation, and threats to maintain power and control over their partners.  Threats, whether of violence, suicide, or taking away children, are very common tactics used by batterers.  The emotional effects of domestic violence can often be more devastating than the physical assaults.  Victims may lose touch with friends and family due to the abusers’ attempts to isolate them.  As a victim’s support system breaks down, so does her self-esteem.  

If this sounds familiar…There is help!

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