|
Domestic violence is one of the
most common of all crimes.
-
Acts of domestic violence occur
every 15 seconds in the U.S.
-
About half of all couples experience
at least one violent incident; in a fourth of these couples, violence is a
common occurrence.
-
20% of all murders in this country
are committed within the family and 13% are committed by spouses.
Most family violence is committed
against women.
-
95% of all spousal assaults are
committed by men.
-
21% of all women who use hospital
emergency services are battered.
-
Six million American women are
beaten each year by their husbands or boyfriends. 4,000 of them are killed.
-
Battering is the single major cause
of injury to women – more frequent than auto accidents, muggings, and rapes
combined.
-
One in four female suicides are by
victims of family violence.
Domestic violence takes its toll on
the family, society, and the future.
-
Over one million women each year
seek medical help for injuries caused by battering.
-
Victims of domestic violence are
three times more likely to be victimized again than are victims of other types
of crime.
-
Children are emotionally traumatized
by witnessing family violence; many of them grow up to repeat the pattern as
victim or abuser.
Children from violent homes
-
More than half of the children whose
mothers are abused are also likely to be victims of physical abuse. Older
children are often injured while trying to protect their mothers.
-
Whether or not the children are
abused physically, they suffer emotional trauma and psychological scars from
watching their fathers beat their mothers.
-
In homes where domestic violence
occurs, fear, instability, and confusion replace the love, comfort, and
nurturing that children need. These children live in constant fear of physical
harm from the person who is supposed to care and protect them. They may feel
guilt at loving the abuser or blame themselves for causing the violence.
-
Children from violent homes have
higher risks of alcohol/drug abuse and juvenile delinquency.
For further information
call 1-800-477-3422
Depression Testing
Warning Signs
101 Ways to Praise a Child
Building Self-Esteem
Domestic Violence
101 Ways to Relieve Stress
|
