About Domestic Violence
Domestic violence is a pattern of deliberate acts of control in an intimate or family relationship that usually escalates in frequency and intensity over time and may become life threatening.
Domestic Violence: The Facts
- Many states report the most rapid growth in domestic relations caseloads is occurring in domestic violence, where annual filings have increased 20 % or more.
- On average, more than three women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends in this country every day.
- 31% of American women report being physically or sexually abused.
- Nearly 25% percent of women report being raped and/or physically assaulted by a husband or boyfriend at some time in their lives.
- More than half of women attacked by their husband or boyfriend sustained injuries, compared with 20 % of those victimized by a stranger.
- 37% of women who sought treatment in emergency rooms for violence-related injuries were injured by a current or former spouse or partner.
- Separated or divorced women were 14x times more likely than married women to report having been a victim of violence by a spouse or ex-spouse.
- 80% of women who are stalked by former husbands are physically assaulted by that partner and 30 %percent are sexually assaulted by that partner.
Children and Domestic Violence
- More than half of female victims of intimate violence live in households with children under age 12.
- 50% of men who frequently assaulted their wives also frequently abused their children.
- Studies suggest that between 3.3 and 10 million children witness some form of domestic violence annually.
- Pregnant and recently pregnant women are more likely to be victims of homicide than any other cause of death.
- The U.S. Advisory Board on Child Abuse suggests that domestic violence may be the single major precursor to child abuse and neglect fatalities in this country.
- Studies suggest that between 3.3 and 10 million children witness domestic violence annually.
- Children who witness domestic violence are more likely to exhibit behavioral and physical health problems including depression, anxiety, and violence toward peers.
- These children are also more likely to attempt suicide, abuse drugs and alcohol, run away from home, engage in teenage prostitution, and commit sexual assault crimes.
- Men who as children witnessed their parents' domestic violence are twice as likely to abuse their own wives than sons of nonviolent parents.
You can make a difference by getting involved today. Visit our Donate and Volunteer pages to find out more about how you can help stop the cycle of domestic violence.
Teen Dating Violence
- 40% of girls age 14 to 17 report knowing someone their age who has been hit or beaten by a boyfriend.
- In Virginia, 1/4 to 1/3 of Junior and High School students report being victims of violence, being physically abused, and equally disturbing, hitting someone or threatening to hurt someone in the last year.
Domestic Violence in the Workplace
96% of battered women who are employed experience problems at work due to abuse. This includes:
- 74% who are harassed at work by their abusers, either in person or over the telephone.
- 56% who are late to work.
- 28% who leave work early.
- 54% who miss entire days of work.
Domestic Violence Connection to Homelessness
When a woman leaves an abusive relationship, she often has nowhere to go. For many, the only choices are staying in the abusive environment, going to a shelter or living on the street.
Studies show a connection of domestic violence to homelessness, particularly among families with children. One study has found that 50% of homeless women and children were fleeing abuse.
Shelters provide immediate safety, respite and supportive services. Unfortunately, shelters are frequently filled to capacity and often turn away battered women and their children. It is estimated that, in one year in Virginia, 2000 women seeking shelter from domestic violence were turned away due to lack of space or resources.