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Domestic Violence
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
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