DID YOU KNOW?  On average, nearly 20 people per minute are victims of physical violence by an intimate partner in the United States. During one year, this equates to more than 10 million women and men.1  1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced [some form of] physical violence by an intimate partner within their lifetime.1  1 in 5 women and 1 in 7 men have experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime.1  1 in 7 women and 1 in 18 men have experienced stalking victimization during their lifetime in which they felt very fearful or believed that they or someone close to them would be harmed or killed.1  On a typical day, there are more than 20,000 phone calls placed to domestic violence hotlines nationwide.9  In domestic violence homicides, women are six times more likely to be killed when there is a gun in the house.10  Intimate partner violence accounts for 15% of all violent crime.2  Intimate partner violence is most common among women between the ages of 18-24.2
WHAT IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE? Domestic violence is the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior as part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another. It includes physical violence, sexual violence, threats, and emotional abuse. The frequency and severity of domestic violence can vary dramatically.
WHY IT MATTERS Domestic violence is an epidemic affecting individuals in every community, regardless of age, economic status, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, or nationality. Intimate partner violence is often accompanied by emotionally abusive and controlling behavior which is only a fraction of a systematic pattern of dominance and control. Domestic violence can result in physical injury, psychological trauma, and in severe cases, even death. The devastating consequences of domestic violence can cross generations and last a lifetime.
IF YOU