Statistics - Domestic/Child Abuse

NATIONAL STATISTICS

On average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. During one year, this equates to more than 10 million women and men.

In the United States, as many as one in four women and one in nine men are victims of domestic violence. Domestic violence is thought to be underreported. Domestic violence affects the victim, families, co-workers, and community.

In 1999 in the United States, 1,218 women and 424 men were killed by an intimate partner, and 1,181 females and 329 males were killed by their intimate partners in 2005. In 2007, 2,340 deaths were caused by intimate partner violence—making up 14% of all homicides. 70% of these deaths were females and 30% were males.

This typology distinguishes four modes in which violence may be inflicted: physical; sexual; and psychological attack; and deprivation.

• More than 1 in 3 women (35.6%) and more than 1 in 4 men (28.5%) in the U.S. report having experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime. (source)
• Nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. During one year, this adds up to more than 10 million women and men. (source)
• Nearly 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men have experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner during their lifetime. (source)
• Intimate partner violence accounts for 15% of all violent crime. (source)
• In 15 states, more than 40% of all homicides of women in each state involved intimate partner violence. (source)
• 85% of domestic violence victims are female, and 15% are male. (source)
• Women with disabilities have a 40% greater risk of intimate partner violence, especially severe violence, than women without disabilities. (source)
• 2 in 5 gay or bisexual men will experience intimate partner violence in their lifetimes. (source)
• Approximately 63% of homeless women have experienced domestic violence in their adult lives. (source)
• 28% of families were homeless because of domestic violence. (source)
• Nearly half of all women and men in the US will experience psychological aggression by an intimate partner in their lifetime. (source)
• Approximately 5 million children are exposed to domestic violence every year. Children exposed are more likely to attempt suicide, abuse drugs and alcohol, run away from home, engage in teenage prostitution, and commit sexual assault crimes. (source)
• 40% of The Center for Violence-Free Relationships’ domestic violence cases have children under 18 in the home. (source)
• Nationally, 50% of batterers who abuse their intimate partners also abuse their children. (source)
• Worldwide, men who were exposed to domestic violence as children are 3-4x more likely to perpetrate intimate partner violence as adults. (source)
• 81% of women and 35% of men who experienced rape, stalking, or physical violence by an intimate partner reported significant short- or long-term impact such as post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and injury. (source)
• 4% of high school students report being hit, slapped, or physically hurt on purpose by their boyfriend or girlfriend in the last 12 months. (source)
• Only 1 out of 3 people who are injured during a domestic violence incident will ever receive medical care for their injuries. (source)
• Most cases of domestic violence are never reported to police. (source)
• Men who are victimized are substantially less likely than women to report their situation to police. (source)

The numbers are overwhelming, but we do have many great organizations working tirelessly to end Domestic Violence and Child Abuse, as well as support victims on every level. 

*Statistics: Foundation for Survivors of Abuse