Domestic Violence 101

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.

People in abusive relationships may not even realize the negative effects they are experiencing. Abuse is physical, sexual, emotional, economic or psychological and involves threats of actions that influence another person.

• National research indicates that one in four women has been physically assaulted or raped by an intimate partner as compared to one in 14 men.¹
  
• Some research shows that as many as half of the men who batter partners also abuse their children.²
  
• Six in ten adults report that they personally know someone who has experienced domestic violence.³
  
• One in three teenagers report knowing a friend or peer who has been hit, punched, kicked, choked or physically hurt by their partner.⁴
  
• Of all respondents with disabilities, 28 percent reported being pushed, slapped, choked or hit by a partner or spouse, compared to 18 percent of those without disabilities.⁵
  
• Of all LGBT respondents, 27 percent report being pushed, slapped, choked or hit by a partner or spouse.⁶

^{Please go to Read, Learn, Teach, the resource area for campaign members, for additional statistics and other information.}

1 Tjaden, P. & Thoennes, N. 2000. Full Report on the Prevalence, Incidence and Consequences of Violence Against Women, National Institute of Justice and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Washington, D.C.

2 Straus. 1983. as quoted in Child Custody and Visitation Decisions in Domestic Violence Cases: Legal Trends, Research Findings and Recommendations. National Electronic Network on Violence Against Women. National Resource on Domestic Violence.

3,5,6 The Harris Poll #49 and #50. Conducted by Harris Interactive® 2006.

4 Male and Female Perceptions of Domestic Violence Survey. Commissioned by Liz Claiborne Conducted by Roger Starch Worldwide. 1997