Domestic Violence

Domestic violence can be defined as a pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner.

Domestic violence can happen to anyone of any race, age, sexual orientation, religion or gender. It can happen to couples who are married, living together or who are dating. Domestic violence affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels.

Did You Know?

• 1 in 3 women have been victims of domestic violence at some point during their lives. Journal of American Medical Association, 2001

• On average, more than 3 women are murdered by their intimate partners in the United States every day.  The United States Department of Justice, 2001 

• Each day in the United States, more than 3 children die as a result of abuse at home.    The United States Department of Health and Human Services, 2001

• As many as 10 million children witness domestic violence each year in the U.S.  Texas Council on Family Violence, 2003

• A child’s exposure to the father abusing the mother is the strongest risk factor for transmitting violent behavior from one generation to the next.  The American Psychological Association, 1996

• 1 in 5 high school aged girls will be physically and/or sexually abused in a dating relationship, increasing the likelihood that the girl will abuse drugs and/or alcohol, develop an eating disorder, consider and/or attempt suicide, engage in risky behavior and/or become pregnant.  The Journal of the American Medical Association, 2001 

• Over 324,000 pregnant women are involved in abusive relationships each year.     The Maternal and Child Health Journal, 2000

• An abuser’s unemployment, access to guns and threats of deadly violence are the strongest warning signs of female homicide in abusive relationships.  The American Journal of Public Health, 2003

• The health-related costs of rape, physical assault, stalking and homicide committed by intimate partners is more than $5.8 billion each year.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2003 

  Additional Information Links

  www.loveisnotabuse.com – Liz Claiborne’s teen dating violence website has great information for both, those living with violence and their friends and family.

  www.ncadv.org – The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence’s website contains current information for survivors and those dealing with violence.

  www.endabuse.org – The Family Violence Prevention Fund website provides materials which can be ordered, including “No Excuse for Abuse” materials and health care provider brochures.

  www.nrcdv.org – The National Resource Center on Domestic Violence’s website features various publications and resources for organizations and individuals working to end domestic violence.

  www.ncvc.org – The National Center for Victims of Crime information site includes materials on domestic violence, stalking and sexual assault.

  www.womenslaw.org – Legal information website, including referrals and detailed protective/restraining order information, state by state.
  

  Resources from  http://www.ndvh.org.