Domestic violence can be defined as the willful intimidation, physical assault, sexual assault, battery, and/or other forms of abusive behavior perpetrated by one intimate partner against another. Domestic violence is an epidemic affecting individuals in every community, regardless of age, race, religion, economic status, nationality or educational background. In the majority of domestic violence cases against women, abuse is often accompanied by controlling and emotionally abusive behavior, and thus is part of a pattern of dominance and control. Domestic violence results in physical injury, psychological trauma, and in some cases, death. The consequences of domestic violence can cross generations and last a lifetime.
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence For more information, visit their website at www.ncadv.org.
Who is mostly affected by Domestic Violence?
Women:
- 85% of domestic violence victims are women.
- 1 in 4 women experiences an event of domestic violence in her lifetime.
- In most cases, the domestic violence perpetrator is someone they know and are familiar with.
- Females who are 20–24 years of age are at the greatest risk of domestic violence.
Families:
- 30% to 60% of children who live in households with domestic violence often become victims of abuse or neglect.
- Children exposed to domestic violence at home display greater symptoms of trauma, including frequent sickness, complaints of headaches, stomachaches, tiredness and lethargy.
- Children witnessing acts of domestic violence between parents and caretakers are at risk for perpetuating the cycle of domestic violence in their own homes.
- Boys exposed to domestic violence are two times as likely to abuse their own partners and children when they become adults.
- Girls who experience domestic violence in the home are far more likely to become victims.
Domestic violence is considered one of the most chronically underreported crimes as statistics do not reveal the full disheartening reality–many instances of domestic violence go unreported.
If you or a loved one are currently experiencing domestic violence and are unsafe or at risk of being hurt, please see our “Resources” page.